Complete Guide to Setting Up MikroTik Hotspot with YesSpot Step-by-Step Tutorial

Setting up a MikroTik hotspot can seem daunting, but with YesSpot's cloud management platform, you can have your WiFi hotspot network running in under 30 seconds—no public IP required! This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, from initial router configuration to deploying your first voucher codes.

Why Choose YesSpot for MikroTik Hotspot Management?

Before we dive into the setup process, let's understand why YesSpot is the preferred choice for thousands of ISPs, hotels, and businesses worldwide:

• No Public IP Required: YesSpot's revolutionary NAT traversal technology allows you to deploy hotspot networks even behind dynamic IPs or carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT).
• Cloud-Based Management: Access your hotspot dashboard from anywhere, anytime. No need for on-premise servers or complex infrastructure.
• 30-Second Setup: Our automated provisioning system gets you up and running faster than any other solution.
• Enterprise-Grade Security: WireGuard VPN encryption ensures all communications between your router and YesSpot are secure.
• Scalable Architecture: Start with 10 users and scale to 10,000+ without any infrastructure changes.
• Global Trust: Trusted by businesses in 50+ countries including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, Turkey, and more.

Prerequisites

Before starting, make sure you have the following:

• A MikroTik router (RouterOS 6.0 or higher recommended)
• An active YesSpot account (sign up for a free 14-day trial if you don't have one)
• Basic knowledge of MikroTik RouterOS (we'll guide you through everything)
• Access to your router via Winbox, WebFig, or SSH

Step 1: Create Your YesSpot Account

If you haven't already, create your YesSpot account:

1. Visit yesspot.in and click "Get Started"
2. Enter your business email address
3. Complete the registration process (no credit card required for trial)
4. Verify your email address
5. Log in to your YesSpot dashboard

Once logged in, you'll see your dashboard. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the interface—you'll find sections for routers, users, vouchers, analytics, and more.

Step 2: Add Your MikroTik Router to YesSpot

Now it's time to connect your MikroTik router to YesSpot:

1. In your YesSpot dashboard, navigate to Routers or NAS Management
2. Click "Add New Router" or "Add NAS"
3. Enter a descriptive name for your router (e.g., "Hotel Lobby Router" or "Cafe Main Router")
4. YesSpot will generate a unique configuration script for your router
5. Copy the configuration script—you'll need it in the next step

Step 3: Configure Your MikroTik Router

This is where the magic happens. We'll configure your MikroTik router to connect to YesSpot's cloud platform.

3.1 Access Your Router

Connect to your MikroTik router using one of these methods:

• Winbox: Download Winbox from MikroTik's website and connect using the router's IP address
• WebFig: Open a web browser and navigate to http://[router-ip]
• SSH: Use an SSH client like PuTTY to connect to your router

3.2 Install the Configuration Script

Once connected to your router, you have two options:

Option A: Using Terminal/Console

1. Open the Terminal in Winbox or connect via SSH
2. Paste the configuration script you copied from YesSpot
3. Press Enter to execute
4. Wait for the script to complete (usually takes 10-30 seconds)

Option B: Using System → Scripts

1. In Winbox, go to System → Scripts
2. Click the "+" button to add a new script
3. Name it "yesspot-setup" (or any name you prefer)
4. Paste the configuration script in the Source field
5. Click Run to execute the script

3.3 Verify the Configuration

After running the script, verify that everything is configured correctly:

1. Check Interfaces → You should see a new WireGuard interface (usually named "yesspot" or "wg-yesspot")
2. Check IP → Routes → Verify that routes to YesSpot servers are added
3. Check PPP → Secrets → Verify RADIUS settings are configured
4. Check IP → Hotspot → Verify hotspot profile is created

Step 4: Configure Hotspot Interface

Now we need to set up the hotspot on your router's WiFi interface:

1. In Winbox, go to IP → Hotspot
2. Click on Hotspot Setup (if this is your first hotspot)
3. Select the interface where you want to enable hotspot (usually your WiFi interface like "wlan1" or "wlan2")
4. Choose the hotspot profile created by YesSpot (it should be automatically selected)
5. Set the local IP address for the hotspot (default is usually 192.168.88.1)
6. Configure the IP pool range (e.g., 192.168.88.10-192.168.88.254)
7. Complete the setup wizard

If you already have a hotspot configured, you can modify it:

1. Go to IP → Hotspot → Servers
2. Double-click on your hotspot server
3. Ensure the Profile matches the one created by YesSpot
4. Verify that RADIUS is enabled and pointing to YesSpot's RADIUS servers

Step 5: Configure Hotspot Profile

The hotspot profile controls how users authenticate and access the internet:

1. Go to IP → Hotspot → Profiles
2. Find the profile created by YesSpot (usually named "yesspot" or similar)
3. Double-click to edit it
4. Configure the following settings:
   • Session Timeout: Set to your preferred value (or leave default)
   • Idle Timeout: Configure how long inactive sessions stay connected
   • Keepalive Timeout: Set to 2 minutes (recommended)
   • Status Auto Refresh: Enable this for better user experience
5. Go to the Login tab and ensure HTML Directory points to YesSpot's captive portal
6. Click OK to save

Step 6: Test the Connection

Now let's verify that your router is properly connected to YesSpot:

1. Go back to your YesSpot dashboard
2. Navigate to Routers or NAS Management
3. Find your router in the list
4. Check the status indicator—it should show as "Online" or "Connected"
5. If it shows as offline, wait a minute and refresh the page (initial connection may take 30-60 seconds)

If your router shows as online, congratulations! Your router is now connected to YesSpot's cloud platform. If it's still offline, check the following:

• Verify that the WireGuard interface is active (Interfaces → check for "R" flag)
• Check that the router has internet connectivity
• Verify firewall rules aren't blocking WireGuard traffic
• Check router logs for any error messages

Step 7: Create Your First User or Voucher

Now that your router is connected, let's create your first user or voucher:

Creating a User Account

1. In YesSpot dashboard, go to Users
2. Click "Add New User"
3. Enter the user's details:
   • Username (or use email address)
   • Password
   • Plan/package (time-based or data-based)
   • Expiration date (optional)
4. Assign the user to your router
5. Click "Save"

Creating a Voucher

1. Go to Vouchers in your dashboard
2. Click "Generate Vouchers"
3. Configure voucher settings:
   • Number of vouchers to generate
   • Voucher code format (alphanumeric, numeric, etc.)
   • Validity period (hours, days, or unlimited)
   • Data limit (optional)
   • Price (if selling vouchers)
4. Click "Generate"
5. Download or print the voucher codes

Step 8: Test User Authentication

It's time to test if everything works:

1. Connect a device (phone, laptop, tablet) to your router's WiFi network
2. Open a web browser and try to access any website
3. You should be redirected to YesSpot's captive portal login page
4. Enter the username and password you created (or scan a voucher QR code)
5. Click "Login" or "Connect"
6. You should now have internet access!

Step 9: Customize Your Captive Portal

YesSpot allows you to customize your captive portal to match your brand:

1. In YesSpot dashboard, go to Settings → Portal Customization
2. Upload your logo
3. Choose your brand colors
4. Add a welcome message
5. Configure login methods (username/password, voucher, social login, OTP, QR code)
6. Add terms and conditions or privacy policy
7. Save your changes

The changes will be reflected immediately on your captive portal. Users connecting to your WiFi will see your branded login page.

Step 10: Monitor and Manage

Now that your hotspot is running, use YesSpot's dashboard to monitor and manage it:

Real-Time Analytics

• Active Users: See who's currently connected to your hotspot
• Usage Statistics: Monitor data usage, session duration, and peak hours
• Revenue Reports: Track voucher sales and revenue (if monetizing)
• Device Analytics: See which devices and browsers are most common

User Management

• Add, edit, or delete users
• Reset passwords
• Extend or modify user plans
• View user login history
• Block or unblock users

Router Management

• Monitor router status and uptime
• View router statistics (CPU, memory, bandwidth)
• Receive alerts for router issues
• Manage multiple routers from one dashboard

Advanced Configuration Options

Once you're comfortable with the basics, you can explore advanced features:

Bandwidth Limiting

Control how much bandwidth each user can consume:

• Set download/upload speed limits per user or plan
• Configure fair-queue for better bandwidth distribution
• Implement time-based bandwidth rules (e.g., slower speeds during peak hours)

Content Filtering

Filter or block specific websites or content categories:

• Block adult content, gambling sites, or social media
• Whitelist or blacklist specific domains
• Implement time-based filtering (e.g., block social media during work hours)

Multi-Location Management

Manage multiple routers across different locations:

• Group routers by location (hotel, cafe, office, etc.)
• Apply location-specific settings and branding
• View consolidated analytics across all locations
• Manage users across multiple locations

API Integration

Integrate YesSpot with your existing systems:

• Use YesSpot's REST API to automate user creation
• Integrate with your billing or CRM system
• Build custom applications using YesSpot's API

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Here are solutions to common issues you might encounter:

Router Shows as Offline

• Check internet connectivity on the router
• Verify WireGuard interface is active
• Check firewall rules aren't blocking WireGuard traffic
• Verify the configuration script was executed correctly
• Check router system logs for errors

Users Can't Connect

• Verify hotspot is enabled on the correct interface
• Check that the hotspot profile is correctly assigned
• Verify RADIUS settings are correct
• Check IP pool has available addresses
• Verify DNS settings on the router

Captive Portal Not Appearing

• Clear browser cache and cookies
• Try accessing from a different device
• Verify hotspot HTML directory is correctly configured
• Check that the router can reach YesSpot's servers
• Verify firewall isn't blocking HTTP/HTTPS redirects

Slow Connection Speeds

• Check router CPU and memory usage
• Verify bandwidth limits aren't too restrictive
• Check for bandwidth-intensive applications
• Verify your internet connection speed
• Consider upgrading router hardware if needed

Best Practices

Follow these best practices for optimal performance and security:

• Regular Updates: Keep your MikroTik RouterOS updated to the latest stable version
• Strong Passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for router admin access
• Monitor Regularly: Check your YesSpot dashboard regularly for any issues
• Backup Configuration: Regularly backup your router configuration
• User Limits: Set appropriate session and idle timeouts
• Security: Enable firewall rules to protect your network
• Documentation: Keep notes of any custom configurations

Conclusion

Congratulations! You've successfully set up your MikroTik hotspot with YesSpot. You now have a fully functional, cloud-managed WiFi hotspot that can scale with your business needs.

YesSpot makes MikroTik hotspot management simple, secure, and scalable. Whether you're running a small cafe, a large hotel chain, or an ISP serving thousands of customers, YesSpot provides the tools you need to succeed.

Remember, if you encounter any issues or need assistance, YesSpot's support team is available 24/7. You can reach out via:

• WhatsApp: +91 7358083264
• Email: Support through your YesSpot dashboard
• Documentation: Comprehensive guides and tutorials in the YesSpot knowledge base

Ready to get started? Sign up for your free 14-day trial today and experience the power of cloud-managed MikroTik hotspots!