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Windows 11 network diagnosis

Mobile Hotspot Is Not Working in Windows 11

Windows Mobile hotspot shares an existing Wi-Fi, Ethernet or cellular connection through a compatible wireless adapter. First confirm that the PC itself has working internet and that the correct source connection is selected.

Reviewed September 13, 2026 · Safety-first troubleshooting · About 8–12 minutes

Read the symptom before changing settings

What you observeWhere to focus
Hotspot switch turns off immediatelyCheck the wireless adapter, driver and whether Wi-Fi is enabled.
Phone connects but has no internetVerify the shared source connection and VPN or security restrictions.
Phone cannot see the hotspotTry the compatible network band and update the Wi-Fi driver.
Works until sleepReview power saving and keep the PC awake during sharing.
ROHITH · DIAGNOSIS PATH

A hotspot has two links: the PC’s upstream internet and the client’s connection to the PC.

Test those two links separately. If the Windows PC itself has no internet, fixing hotspot broadcast settings cannot restore the shared connection. If the PC is online but the phone cannot see or join the hotspot, focus on wireless band, adapter state and client compatibility.

PC itself is offlineRepair the upstream Wi-Fi/Ethernet/cellular connection first.
Phone cannot see hotspotCheck band/adapter capability and recreate the hotspot configuration.
Phone joins but has no internetVerify the selected “Share my internet connection from” source and any VPN/security filtering.

Decision rule: Prove the source connection first, then troubleshoot the hotspot. That avoids resetting an adapter for an upstream outage.

IT connection · understand the networking layer

This FIX page uses a reusable Windows concept rather than treating the symptom in isolation. Open the matching IT explanation →

Recreate the hotspot with the correct source

Open Settings > Network & internet > Mobile hotspot. Under Share my internet connection from, select the connection that currently reaches the internet. Choose Share over Wi-Fi, edit the network name and use a strong password.

Turn the hotspot off and on after changing its source. On the receiving device, forget the old hotspot profile and reconnect with the new password.

1Test the PC’s own connection first

  1. Open a few sites on the Windows PC with the hotspot turned off.
  2. If the PC is offline, repair that connection first; hotspot cannot share internet it does not have.
  3. Disconnect a personal VPN temporarily for testing because some VPNs intentionally block local sharing.

2Use a compatible band

  1. In Mobile hotspot properties, choose an available band.
  2. Use 2.4 GHz when an older phone or device cannot see a 5 GHz hotspot.
  3. Band options depend on the wireless adapter and driver; do not force unsupported modes with registry tools.

Repair the wireless adapter and power state

Restart Windows, then open Device Manager > Network adapters. Install the PC or wireless-adapter manufacturer’s current Windows 11 driver. If hotspot failed directly after a driver update, use Roll Back Driver when available.

If the adapter exposes a Power Management tab, test with Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power cleared. Keep the computer awake while it is expected to share internet.

1Reset only the hotspot configuration first

  1. Turn Mobile hotspot off.
  2. Change the network name and password, save, then turn it on again.
  3. Forget the hotspot on the receiving device before reconnecting.

2Use Network reset only after driver checks

  1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
  2. Record VPN and virtual-adapter configuration first.
  3. Reset, restart and configure Mobile hotspot again from the beginning.

Understand policy and hardware limitations

A managed work or school PC may block hotspot sharing by policy. Some VPN clients and endpoint-security products also prevent local devices from using the shared connection. Ask the administrator rather than bypassing those controls.

Not every wireless adapter and driver combination supports every hotspot band or concurrent Wi-Fi mode. If the feature remains unavailable with the manufacturer driver, test a supported USB Wi-Fi adapter or use the router’s own hotspot capability.

Important: Do not disable the Windows firewall permanently to make hotspot sharing work. If a security product blocks sharing, use its documented local-network setting or contact its administrator.

Verification gate — prove the fix before moving on

A troubleshooting step is useful only when it changes the original symptom. Use this checkpoint before trying another fix:

  • Confirm the Windows PC can reach the internet before enabling the hotspot.
  • Connect a second device and load a fresh website or service through the shared connection.
  • Turn the hotspot off and on once to confirm it returns with the same configuration.
Stop and escalate when: Stop if the wireless adapter does not support the needed sharing mode, the PC is managed by workplace policy, or enabling the hotspot repeatedly destabilizes the primary connection. Use the device/vendor or administrator guidance.

Frequently asked questions

Why can my phone connect to the Windows hotspot but not access internet?

The wrong source connection may be selected, the PC itself may be offline, or a VPN/security product may block sharing. Verify the source under Mobile hotspot settings.

Why is the Windows 11 hotspot not visible on my phone?

The phone may not support the selected band, the wireless driver may be unstable, or the adapter may not be broadcasting correctly. Try 2.4 GHz and the manufacturer driver.

Can Mobile hotspot share Ethernet over Wi-Fi?

Yes, when the PC has a compatible wireless adapter. Select Ethernet as the source and Wi-Fi as the sharing method.

Related Windows 11 network fixes

Wi-Fi connected but no internetEthernet not workingVPN not connectingWindows 11 troubleshooting hub

Official references

These references were reviewed for the Windows behavior and recovery steps used in this guide.