How to Fix Mobile Hotspot Not Working in Windows 11

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Windows 11NetworkWi-FiFix

The Problem

Mobile hotspot is grayed out, says We can't set up mobile hotspot, or your phone and tablet connect but get no internet. Windows shares your PC's existing Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection over a virtual adapter—if the upstream link, driver, or firewall is wrong, hotspot fails even when normal browsing works.

Wi-Fi drops on the PC itself? Fix Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting instead of chasing hotspot. No internet at all? Start with DNS server not responding.

Symptoms

  • Mobile hotspot toggle is missing or won't turn on.
  • Phone shows Connected, no internet to the PC's hotspot SSID.
  • Hotspot worked until a Windows or driver update.

The Fix: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Confirm the PC Has Internet First

Hotspot only shares what the PC already has. Open a browser on the PC and load a site. If the PC has no connection, fix can't connect to this network or Ethernet first.

Step 2: Turn On Mobile Hotspot and Set Band

  1. Settings → Network & internet → Mobile hotspot.
  2. Turn Mobile hotspot On.
  3. Under Properties, note the network name and password—or click Edit to set your own.
  4. Set Share my Internet connection from to Wi-Fi or Ethernet (whichever is your active connection).
  5. Under Properties → Network band, try 5 GHz if nearby; switch to 2.4 GHz if devices won't see the network.

Step 3: Start the Required Services

  1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, Enter.
  2. Find Windows Mobile Hotspot Service → right-click → Properties → set Startup type to Manual → Start.
  3. Also confirm Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) dependencies: Remote Access Connection Manager and Remote Access Auto Connection Manager are not Disabled.

Step 4: Update the Wi-Fi Adapter Driver

The virtual hotspot adapter rides on your Wi-Fi driver.

  1. Device Manager → Network adapters → right-click your Wi-Fi adapter → Update driver.
  2. If hotspot broke after an update, Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver when available.
  3. Reboot and test hotspot again.

Step 5: Reset the Network Stack

When hotspot grayed out after a Windows update:

  1. Open Terminal (Admin) (Win + X).
  2. Run: 
    netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
ipconfig /flushdns
  3. Reboot, then try enabling hotspot.

Step 6: Allow Hotspot Through the Firewall

Windows Firewall can block shared connections.

  1. Settings → Privacy & security → Windows Security → Firewall & network protection → Allow an app through firewall.
  2. Ensure Wireless Display and Network Discovery are allowed on Private networks.
  3. For a specific app still blocked, see fix Windows Firewall blocking apps.

Step 7: Disable Metered Connection on the Source Adapter

Metered connections can block sharing.

  1. Settings → Network & internet → Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) → your connected network.
  2. Turn off Metered connection.
  3. Retry Mobile hotspot.

Hotspot drops under load? You can track connection drops with Advanced Network Monitor—it timestamps every dropout so you can prove whether the PC or the shared link is failing.

Still Not Working?

  • Hotspot option missing entirely? Your adapter may not support hosted networks—check the manufacturer's spec sheet or try a USB Wi-Fi dongle that lists AP mode support.
  • Phone connects but pages are slow? That is a bandwidth issue on the upstream link—see speed up a slow internet connection.

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