Read the symptom before changing settings
| What you observe | Where to focus |
|---|---|
| Hotspot switch turns off immediately | Check the wireless adapter, driver and whether Wi-Fi is enabled. |
| Phone connects but has no internet | Verify the shared source connection and VPN or security restrictions. |
| Phone cannot see the hotspot | Try the compatible network band and update the Wi-Fi driver. |
| Works until sleep | Review power saving and keep the PC awake during sharing. |
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
- Open a few sites on the Windows PC with the hotspot turned off.
- If the PC is offline, repair that connection first; hotspot cannot share internet it does not have.
- Disconnect a personal VPN temporarily for testing because some VPNs intentionally block local sharing.
2Use a compatible band
- In Mobile hotspot properties, choose an available band.
- Use 2.4 GHz when an older phone or device cannot see a 5 GHz hotspot.
- 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
- Turn Mobile hotspot off.
- Change the network name and password, save, then turn it on again.
- Forget the hotspot on the receiving device before reconnecting.
2Use Network reset only after driver checks
- Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
- Record VPN and virtual-adapter configuration first.
- 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.
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
Official references
For platform-specific behavior and recovery options, compare this guide with the current documentation from the relevant official source.