Have questions about Xfinity WiFi Home Hotspots? No problem. You can read some of the most common customer questions below.
This article focuses on the Xfinity Home hotspot service available free of charge on your Xfinity Gateway.
Note: For information on accessing our public Xfinity WiFi hotspot network that provides millions of Xfinity hotspots, visit Xfinity WiFi hotspot overview.
FAQs
What is the Xfinity WiFi Home Hotspot feature?
Your Xfinity Wireless Gateway broadcasts two additional network signals (“xfinitywifi,” “XFINITY,” or “Xfinity Mobile”), creating an extension of the Xfinity WiFi network right in your home. This service is completely separate from your secure, private home WiFi network and allows guests to sign in and connect without sharing your secure network password. Your home hotspot is included with your service at no additional charge.
Will it cost anything?
Xfinity WiFi is included at no additional charge for all Xfinity Mobile customers, as well as eligible* Xfinity Internet customers. (Find out your level of Xfinity service.)
How can guests connect to Xfinity WiFi in my home?
If your guest is an Xfinity Internet customer and has downloaded the secure profile, they’ll connect to the XFINITY SSID automatically. Otherwise, guests can simply select the xfinitywifi network from their device and open a web browser to get started. If additional help is required, see our connection guides.
Non-Comcast customers can access Xfinity WiFi hotspots by signing up for Xfinity Internet today!
Should I use my private WiFi network or Xfinity WiFi when I am at home?
We recommend using your own private WiFi network when you are at home and using Xfinity WiFi when you are visiting a friend or traveling around town. Learn how to configure your device to connect to your private network at home. Also, installing a secure profile will help your device prioritize private WiFi networks at home. Download the Xfinity app and select WiFi hotspots in the WiFi tab to automatically install the secure profile.
How does this improve my private WiFi network security?
- The Xfinity WiFi service is designed to work on a separate network so that your home network remains entirely secure.
- By allowing guests to use the Xfinity WiFi network you won't need to share your private home WiFi network password and bandwidth with guests.
- For more information, read about the Security Information for the Xfinity WiFi Home Hotspot.
How do I disable or enable my Xfinity WiFi Home Hotspot feature? What happens if I choose to disable it?
We encourage you to keep your home hotspot enabled as it allows more people to enjoy the benefits of Xfinity WiFi, but you can always choose to disable it on your wireless gateway.
Using the Xfinity app (available to download on Apple App Store or Google Play), navigate to WiFi > View WiFi equipment > Advanced Settings > Xfinity WiFi hotspot network and slide the toggle to enable or disable your home hotspot.
Through your account, navigate to Services > Internet to access the Xfinity WiFi hotspot. Read more about turning the home hotspot off or on and for step-by-step instructions.
Note: Customers with Connected Building internet service cannot disable the Xfinity WiFi Home Hotspot feature as it is used by their property to provide a community and guest network for residents to stay connected throughout the property. For more information about Connected Building internet service, see Connected Building FAQs.
Will my home be shown on the hotspot location map or Xfinity app?
We do not list residential customers' addresses on the hotspot location map or in the Xfinity app. Small business locations are listed on the map as a feature of the Comcast Business WiFi service. Businesses can learn more about managing their Comcast Business WiFi hotspot directory information.
Does the home hotspot impact my internet speeds or data usage?
The broadband connection to your home will be unaffected by the Xfinity WiFi feature. We have provisioned the Xfinity WiFi feature to support robust usage, and therefore we anticipate minimal to no impact to the in-home WiFi network. WiFi uses shared wireless spectrum, and as with any shared medium, there can be some impact as more devices share the network.
Also, the usage and activities of visiting users are associated with the visitors’ accounts and therefore do not impact the homeowner.
What's good about an expanded Xfinity WiFi network?
With the Xfinity WiFi hotspot feature, you're helping to build a bigger network that can benefit your friends, neighbors and all Xfinity Internet customers. And it's good for you, too, because when you need a hotspot, it'll be there.
Why can't my guests connect to the Xfinity WiFi Home Hotspot?
Using a WiFi-enabled device, verify that the xfinitywifi signal is available and that the device is connected. If your guest is an Xfinity Internet customer, verify the XFINITY or Xfinity Mobile SSID is available and the device is connected. Open a browser and you should be directed to the Xfinity WiFi sign-in page. You can also view additional connection help or contact us.
My WiFi-enabled devices are connecting to the xfinitywifi signal when I'm home. How do I return my default network to my private home network?
Some mobile devices and tablets will automatically connect to your private home network by default, while others will connect to the last successfully connected network. Additionally, some mobile device providers have recently introduced WiFi settings (Randomized MAC or Private Address) that will randomize your device’s MAC address. If this setting is enabled on your device, your device could connect to public Xfinity WiFi hotspots within your home instead of your private home WiFi network.
Check your device's WiFi settings to make sure you are connected to your private home network. To connect to your home's private WiFi network:
- Go into Settings on your mobile device.
- Select WiFi.
- Choose your home network.
Also, the secure profile will help your device prioritize your WiFi network at home.
Will the homeowner be accountable for visitors' activities and data usage on the wireless gateway?
No. The homeowner is not accountable for visitors' activities and data usage. Visitors are accountable for their own usage based on their Xfinity WiFi hotspot eligibility.
Why don't I see Xfinity WiFi in my home?
The hotspot feature is not available on all Xfinity Wireless Gateways or supported with all Xfinity Internet products. Wireless routers purchased at retail outlets do not support the Xfinity WiFi service.
I have heard that secure Xfinity WiFi hotspots are now available. Why am I not seeing it?
Secure Xfinity WiFi hotspots are now available at most outdoor locations, small businesses, and residential wireless gateways, with additional locations always being added to the network. You can use the hotspot map in the Xfinity app to find Xfinity hotspots near you.
I cannot connect to my private home WiFi network. What is wrong?
Check your device's WiFi settings to make sure you are connected to your private home WiFi network. It is possible you may be connected to the Xfinity WiFi network instead.
Will the home hotspot feature work when my wireless gateway is in bridge mode?
Yes. The home hotspot feature will continue to be available even when your device is in bridge mode, conveniently allowing your guests to connect to Xfinity WiFi when visiting. If you wish to disable or enable the home hotspot feature, you can do so through your account.
*Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Access to Xfinity WiFi Hotspots included with Xfinity post-pay Internet. Not available to Xfinity Prepaid customers.
Still need help?
- Learn more about Xfinity WiFi hotspots — the nation's largest and fastest WiFi network.
- Learn more about Xfinity WiFi Home Hotspots, providing more WiFi access for around your neighborhood.
- Find Xfinity WiFi hotspots using our online hotspot location map, or by downloading the Xfinity app from the Apple Store or Google Play.
- Having trouble connecting to Xfinity WiFi? Check out our connection guides.
Additional information
Visit our Online Support Center to find common solutions.
The easiest way to activate, manage, and troubleshoot your Xfinity experience is with the Xfinity app! Get 24/7 real-time support, pay your bill, view plan details, get outage updates, and more. Download the free Xfinity app, or scan the QR code with your smartphone.
Need additional support? Ask Xfinity Assistant.