Xfinity WiFi Home Hotspots FAQs

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Xfinity WiFi Home Hotspot work?
Your Wireless Gateway broadcasts an additional xfinitywifi network signal for use with Xfinity WiFi. This creates an extension of the Xfinity WiFi network right in your home that any Xfinity Internet customer can use to sign in and connect. This Xfinity WiFi service is completely separate from your secure home WiFi network.

Will it cost anything?
Xfinity WiFi is included at no additional charge for all Xfinity Mobile customers, as well as Xfinity Internet customers who subscribe to Performance Internet or above. (Find out your level of Xfinity service.)

How can visitors connect to Xfinity WiFi in my home?
  • Visitors who are Xfinity Internet customers can simply select the Xfinity WiFi network xfinitywifi on their device and open a web browser to get started. They will be able to sign in with their Xfinity ID and password.
  • Non-Comcast customer access is limited to complimentary passes or the purchase of Xfinity WiFi On Demand passes. Learn more at Xfinity WiFi On Demand Passes.
    • Note: As of December 17, 2020, Xfinity WiFi On Demand passes will no longer be available for purchase. If you have unused, inactivated passes, you’ll need to activate them by December 17, 2020. To access Xfinity WiFi Hotspots, sign 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.

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 enabling guests to use the Xfinity WiFi network you won't need to provide your private home WiFi network password to guests.
  • For more information, read about the Security Information for the Xfinity WiFi Home Hotspot.
     
How do I disable/enable the Xfinity WiFi Home Hotspot feature? What happens if I choose to disable it?
We encourage you to keep this feature enabled as it allows more people to enjoy the benefits of Xfinity WiFi around your neighborhood. You can always disable the Xfinity WiFi feature on your Wireless Gateway by visiting Xfinity xFi (site or mobile app) and going to Network > Gateway > Advanced Settings or by visiting My Account by going to Services > Internet. Read more about turning the Home hotspot off or on and for step-by-step instructions.

Will my home be shown on the hotspot location map or Xfinity WiFi Hotspots app?
We do not list customers' addresses on the hotspot location map or in the Xfinity WiFi Hotspots app. In the future we may use general indicators of Xfinity WiFi Home Hotspot availability around a neighborhood, but only in a manner that assures the privacy of our customers.

Will this impact the speeds I get at home? Will my Internet slow down when someone connects to my Xfinity WiFi network?
The broadband connection to the home will be unaffected by the Xfinity WiFi feature. Your in-home WiFi network, as well as Xfinity WiFi, use shared spectrum, and as with any shared medium there can be some impact as more devices share WiFi. 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.

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.

How many visitors can connect to the Xfinity WiFi Home Hotspot at one time?
Up to five devices can connect to the xfinitywifi signal simultaneously. (If a visitor with a sixth device tries to connect, he/she will not be able to connect.)

My guests are unable to connect to the Xfinity WiFi Home Hotspot. What is wrong?
  1. Using a WiFi-enabled device, verify that the xfinitywifi signal is available and that the device is connected. Note: If you have recently activated a new Gateway, the xfinitywifi signal may take up to 24 hours to broadcast.
  2. Open a browser and attempt to surf, and the device will be directed to the Xfinity WiFi sign-in page.
  3. Additional connection help is available at wifi.xfinity.com/connect-home.html.
     
Even when I'm home, my device always connects to the xfinitywifi signal. How can I set my private home network as the default?
Some mobile devices and tablets will automatically connect to your private home network by default, while others will connect to the last successfully connected WiFi SSID. Check the WiFi settings on your device. You may need to select your private home network manually if your device has connected to xfinitywifi in your own home. You can find additional information on how to prioritize your networks with our Connection Guides.

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.

My friends and family also have Xfinity Internet - why don't they see Xfinity WiFi in their homes?
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 many outdoor locations, small businesses and residential Wireless Gateways, with additional locations always being added to the network. This feature will be available on most residential Wireless Gateways with Home Hotspots in the near future.

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 xfinitywifi network instead.
 

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