Can't Turn Mobile Hotspot On

[Downunda]

I have a new Samsung J1 phone operating under Android 6.0.1. (as supplied). Unfortunately I am unable to turn the Mobile Hotspot function on. By that I mean that when the Mobile Hotspot button is pressed or dragged from left to right (the on position) it won’t stay in the on position and flips back to the left
The phone works fine as a phone and can be used access the internet without any issues via wireless or using mobile data. Google and Youtube searches have thrown up a number of possible (and obvious) solutions. Unfortunately none of those worked.
I’ve gone into the Android recovery function and have Rebooted the system, when that didn’t have an impact I tried a Wipe data/factory reset as well. Neither of these have worked. My wife has the identical phone and we’ve compared settings and they are identical, her phone works as a mobile hotspot and mine won’t.
My Telstra SIM card has been put into my wife’s J1 phone and the mobile hotspot works in her J1 phone with my SIM so its not a Telstra account problem.

I should add that in the About Device menu the Software Update button is also inoperative, it just flashes grey when pressed?

 

[B. Diddy]

Welcome to Android Central! Try wiping the cache partition: https://www.hardreset.info/devices/samsung/samsung-j120h-galaxy-j1-2016/recovery-mode/

Where did you buy the phone? Was it used or refurbished? If it was used, there's a chance a previous owner may have flashed firmware intended for a different phone variant, which can cause problems with certain functions.

 

[Downunda]

Thanks, I wiped the cache partition and it didn't make any difference. I particularly wanted a J1 phone and they were no longer in the stores so I went to fleabay. I thought I was buying a product to be shipped from an Australian location, it seems that it came from somewhere overseas.
I have no reason the believe that the phone wasn't brand new. Here's a link to my purchase and the ebay store . the seller is celletel.llc
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/183400945303?ViewItem=&item=183400945303&var=690710058894

I'm wondering if I can somehow install a different version of Android to perhaps try and clear the problem.
Thanks.

 

[B. Diddy]

Did it come in the original box? If so, does the exact model number on the sticker there match the model number in your Settings>About Phone​ menu?

 

[Downunda]

Can't locate the box at the moment, I'll check that stuff when we locate it. I don't mind a challenge but I reckon I've spent way too much time fiddling with a phone. I've spent more time fiddling with the J1 that all of the time spent on my Samsung A410 that it replaced. I had the 410 for about 12 years and it was faultless.

I've asked the seller for a refund (via fleabay), they offered me $30 and suggested I look at youtube for a fix (nice try huh!). I've told them I've done all I reasonably can and want a refund. If they hassle me I'll go to PayPal