How to fix the ‘AP mode not supported’ error

When you get the ‘AP mode not supported’ error from Connectify Hotspot, that usually means your wireless adapter does not support Hosted Network.

This error comes from older versions of Connectify Hotspot, which relied on Hosted Network. Connectify Hotspot 27 uses Wi-Fi Direct by default, the same method as the Windows built-in mobile hotspot, and uses Hosted Network only on adapters that still support it.

As you know, Connectify Hotspot is a software app that helps you turn your Windows PC or laptop device into a virtual router and share an Internet connection to all your devices. Thus, it uses the Windows networking features to make it easier for you.

Hosted Network is a WLAN feature supported on Windows 7 and later. With this feature, a Windows computer can use a single physical wireless adapter to connect as a client to a hardware access point (AP), while at the same time acting as a software AP allowing other wireless-capable devices to connect to it. However, this feature requires that a Hosted Network capable wireless adapter is installed on the local computer. In short, Hosted Network is a Microsoft Windows feature that older versions of Connectify used to create access point mode Hotspots.

So how would you go about troubleshooting this issue? It’s actually very easy and you can determine this information in two steps.

1. Find information on your wireless driver. You can find information on your wireless adapter by opening the Command Prompt (found in the Start Screen / Menu by searching for ‘CMD’). Once the Command Prompt is opened, type in the following (without quotes): ‘netsh wlan show drivers’
2. Determine that your wireless adapter supports AP mode. After you have entered the above command you should see the below output. What you want to look for is “Hosted network supported:” which is outlined in the red box. If it says ‘Yes’ then your adapter supports AP mode and you’ll be able to use Connectify Hotspot.

If it says ‘No’ under “Hosted network supported:” then that means your adapter does not support Hosted Network, and older versions of Connectify Hotspot will not work with it. Connectify Hotspot 27 does not need Hosted Network: on 64-bit Windows 10 and 11 it uses Wi-Fi Direct instead.

In the event your adapter does not support AP mode there’s two possible options:

1. Check for driver updates. Sometimes checking for driver updates may include support for Hosted Networks (or AP mode). You can check for driver updates by either visiting the computer manufacturer’s website or the wireless adapter manufacturer’s website. After updating your wireless driver check your driver information again.
2. Add a USB dongle to the computer. In the event updating your wireless driver did not help then you’ll need to purchase a USB WiFi dongle that supports WPA2. Check that it lists support for your version of Windows before you buy.

Connectify Hotspot 27 runs on 64-bit Windows 10 (version 1703 or later) and Windows 11. On a Windows 7 or 8 PC, use Connectify Hotspot 2021 instead: see our Windows 7 and Windows 8 guides.

If you continue having problems after troubleshooting on your own please contact Connectify Support at support@connectify.me.