Pocket Wi-Fi provides stable communication, ample data capacity, and is incredibly easy to use. Many people traveling to Japan, especially families or groups, choose to rent Pocket Wi-Fi to access the Internet.
However, under certain circumstances, you may find that your smartphone or device connects to the Pocket Wi-Fi but can't connect to the Internet.
On this page, we'll provide solutions for situations where you're connected to Pocket Wi-Fi but can't access the Internet.
The information here isn't specific to Lightpocket's Pocket Wi-Fi rental service; it applies to various Pocket Wi-Fi services in Japan, such as Ninja Wi-Fi or Japan Wireless. These troubleshooting steps can be helpful for anyone renting Pocket Wi-Fi from major service providers.
If you're experiencing problems, please try the following:
Use the airplane mode feature on your phone. Try turning it on and off. While in airplane mode, your phone will disconnect from all networks. When you turn off Airplane Mode, your Internet connection should be restored. Be sure to reconnect to Wi-Fi and see if your Internet connection works from there.
If turning off Airplane Mode doesn't fix the problem, try turning off and on the Wi-Fi connection on your phone. Sometimes toggling the Wi-Fi connection can establish an Internet connection. If that doesn't work either, move on to troubleshooting Pocket Wi-Fi itself.
If your Pocket Wi-Fi isn't connecting, you might be in an area with poor signal reception. If you're indoors or in an underground location, the signal might be weak. Try going outside to a more open area where the Pocket Wi-Fi can better capture a signal.
Some mobile Wi-Fi devices utilizing Cloud SIM technology might take up to 10 minutes to establish an internet connection after startup. During this time, although your smartphone may be connected to the Wi-Fi, it might not have internet access. Wait for about 10 minutes for the Wi-Fi to stabilize and connect to a network. If you still can't connect after this time, you might be out of coverage. Restart the Pocket Wi-Fi outdoors and wait a while.
If your smartphone is connected to the Pocket Wi-Fi but displays "Internet Not Connected," it might be due to speed restrictions, preventing stable communication. In such cases, wait until the speed restrictions on the Pocket Wi-Fi are lifted.
Pocket Wi-Fi is one of the most reliable communication methods for travelers in Japan. While SIM cards or eSIMs depend on your smartphone, Japanese Pocket Wi-Fi devices are compatible with Japan's frequency bands, ensuring internet access in most places. However, there might still be dead zones in certain locations like underground areas, mountainous regions, or some indoor spaces where signals struggle to reach, causing internet connection issues.
By checking and following these methods, many issues can be resolved, so give them a try.
Pocket Wi-Fi is simple. These devices available for rental in Japan simply need to be powered on to catch signals, providing a stable connection with ample data capacity all over Japan.
If you're planning a trip to Japan, why not reserve a Pocket Wi-Fi? Upon arrival at the airport, pick it up, and you'll be instantly connected to the internet.