Solved: Fix Mobile Hotspot Not Working in Windows 10

Mobile Hotspot Not Working after Windows 10 Fall Creators Update? Try Connectify Hotspot for Free!

Along with Microsoft’s mid October 2017 launch of its Fall Creators Update, many users saw their mobile hotspot functionality in Windows 10 stop working correctly. Even our very own Connectify Hotspot was affected by this, as we’re using APIs from Microsoft.

Unfortunately by the time this blog post was written, Microsoft did not release any fix for that, so that makes the smart engineers at Connectify the only ones to have come up with a solution. It is included in Connectify Hotspot 2018 and solves the mobile hotspot not working issue in Windows 10.

Download the latest version of Connectify Hotspot 2018 here.


Side by side

Where the built-in Windows 11 hotspot stops and Connectify Hotspot keeps going

Windows 11 has a hotspot built in, and for a quick share between two devices the built-in version is fine. The gaps show up when the hotspot has to stay up, carry more devices, or do something a plain hotspot cannot.

Feature Windows 11 hotspot Connectify Hotspot
Turn a wired or Wi-Fi connection into a Wi-Fi network Yes Yes
Set your own network name and password Yes Yes
How many devices can connect Up to 8 No fixed cap
Stays up when the PC sleeps or the upstream connection drops No, you restart the hotspot Yes, restarts automatically
Share a Wi-Fi network that needs a browser login, like a hotel or campus No Yes
Put every device on one network, so consoles and Chromecast can see each other No YesBRIDGING MODE · MAX
Rebroadcast the same network name to reach further No YesREPEATER MODE · MAX
See what is connected and how much data each device is using Device list only Yes, with data use
Download Connectify Hotspot

Available for Windows 10 and 11

Checked against the Windows 11 hotspot, August 2026

3 Steps to Fix the Windows 10 Mobile Hotspot Not Working

Here’s what you have to do in order to create a working mobile hotspot on your Windows 10 computer:

  1. Download and install the latest version of Connectify Hotspot 2018 on your PC or laptop.
  2. Give your Hotspot a Name (SSID) and Password. You can even add emojis and special characters to your hotspot name!
  3. Press the ‘Start Hotspot’ button to share your Internet connection.
    Make sure you have the ad blocker option selected, to save bandwidth, money and battery life.
  4. Connect your devices. Any Wi-Fi enabled devices can connect to your Hotspot!

Below you can find a short video on how you can create a mobile hotspot on Windows 10 with Connectify Hotspot:

Connectify Hotspot – More Than Just a Mobile Hotspot, a Virtual Router Software

Connectify Hotspot is an easy-to-use virtual router program that lets you share Internet from your laptop, PC or tablet with your smartphone, media player, game console, e-reader, other laptops and tablets, and even your nearby friends. Whether you’re traveling, at home, or just working from a coffee shop, Connectify Hotspot keeps you connected anytime and anywhere.
Along with the mobile hotspot functionality, here are other benefits for users of Connectify Hotspot:

Running Windows 10 with the Fall Creators Update? Mobile Hotspot feature not working? Get started quickly and easily with Connectify Hotspot for FREE! There’s no need to sign-up for an account – just turn it on and you’re ready to go!

Free, PRO or MAX

Which version of Connectify Hotspot you need

The free version of Connectify Hotspot covers the setup in this guide. The only limit you will hit is the 60-minute session, and restarting the session takes one click.

Recommended: MAX adds Connectify Hotspot's Repeater Mode and Bridging Mode, which is what most people come back for later.

Download Connectify Hotspot

Available for Windows 10 and 11