Start Hotspot APs

This article describes the firmware installation and configuration steps for Start Hotspot Cloud APs.

Please select a model and download HotspotOS.
You have to match the exact AP / WiFi router version to prevent issues.

Start Hotspot APs HotspotOS Download

Start Hotspot CAP110

Download HotspotOS

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Start Hotspot CAP4200

(for older APs, purchased by the end of 2022.)
Download HotspotOS

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Start Hotspot CAP4200 V2

(for new APs, purchased in 2023.)
Download HotspotOS TFTP/Recovery
Download HotspotOS sysupgrade

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Start Hotspot CAP 4G

Download HotspotOS
Flashing instructions

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Go to your computer Local Network Connection Properties.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IP 4) and press the Properties button.

Select Use the following IP address and set:

If you got the Start Hotspot AP directly from the manufacturer:

IP address: 192.168.188.100
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.188.253

In case you’ve already installed and using an older HotspotOS version:

IP address: 192.168.45.100
Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
Default Gateway: 192.168.45.1

Go to a web browser and in URL field type 192.168.188.253 and login to your AP.

Go to System – Backup / Flash Firmware tab.

In the Flash new firmware image section, untick Keep settings option and click Choose File button.

Navigate to the location where the firmware for your model is downloaded and press Open.

During this process, you will see information about the processing.

Once when it is finished you will get message Flash Firmware – Verify.

Click on Proceed button to finish the system flashing.

Wait a few minutes until the system flashing procedure is done and connect the cable to the WAN port.

Go back to the computer Local Network Connection Properties and set Obtain IP address automatically in order to get a new valid IP address in 10.200.0.x range from router.

Configuring parameters

Start your browser and in URL field type http://10.200.0.1:8089/ to login to HotspotOS.

Username: admin
Password: admin

Press the Login button to access to Status tab.

On the HotSpotOS Status page, you can check AP MAC address, Public IP, device Uptime, Radius and Cloud status, and a number of users connected to AP.

The MAC address of your AP will be used in the SignUp process.

During SignUp, after typing HotSpot name, select as HotSpot model HotspotOS, and add your MAC address from the Status tab.

From the Setup page configure your AP.

The Hotspot is started and the Autostart and Inactivity Logout options are active by default.

Inactivity Logout is set to 900 sec. Inactivity period defines how long will the device stay logged-in without activity. This prevents repeated logins if the connection temporarily breaks.

IP-based Authentication is used to switch AP domain ap.wifihotspot.io to 10.200.0.1
It is recommended to disable this option to avoid issues with https-based websites.

Radius Timeout – 8sec
Auto Update – enabled

Master/Slave mode
One AP will manage access and roaming for all other APs.
Enable only if multiple APs are installed in a location.

By default as Network WAN Connection is set DHCP, but you can choose network protocol based on your needs. Our recommendation is to use DHCP Network Protocol.

WiFi channels – Eleven channels are designated in the 2 GHz range, spaced 5 MHz apart from each other. Those eleven channels in the spectrum are allowed anywhere in the world.

DNS – Custom
IP – 10.200.0.1

Save changes.

From the SSID tab, you can Enable SSID 1 and 2.
Configure the SSID name and enable it.
Secondary SSID 2 is mostly used for staff WiFi with WPA2 password but you can also enable Hotspot on it.

If you want to use Social network login feature or Paypal as payment gateway, enable it on the Whitelist tab and Save changes.

You can also whitelist websites based on URL, IP, or MAC.

From the System tab, you can flash HotspotOS image and change the Admin password.

When you finish setup, restart the AP / WiFi router to apply changes.

TFTP Recovery

In case of issues with your AP, please download recovery HotspotOS.

Download CAP 110 recovery HotspotOS

Download CAP 4200 recovery HotspotOS

Download CAP 4200 V2 recovery HotspotOS