Connectify Hotspot 2018 Is Now Connectify Hotspot 27: Fix Mobile Hotspot Not Working

UPDATE, October 2026: Connectify Hotspot 2018 fixed this bug. The current version is Connectify Hotspot 27.
It runs on 64-bit Windows 10 and Windows 11. Download Connectify Hotspot 27 free. On Windows 7 or 8, use Connectify Hotspot 2021: see our Windows 7 and Windows 8 guides.

If your mobile hotspot stopped working after a recent Windows update, start with our fixes for the Windows 11 and Windows 10 mobile hotspot. The rest of this post is the original 2017 story.

Windows 10: Mobile Hotspot Doesn’t Work After the Fall Creators Update

In mid October 2017, Microsoft launched the Fall Creators Update for Windows 10, with many new features. Soon after, many users reported that Wi-Fi Direct, the Windows Mobile Hotspot and Connectify Hotspot had all stopped working after the update.

Side by side

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

Windows 10 and 11 include Mobile Hotspot, and for sharing a connection with a few devices now and then it does the job well. Here is where the two differ, so you can tell whether you need more.

Feature Windows 11 hotspot Connectify Hotspot
Price Included with Windows Hotspot Lite is free. PRO and MAX are one-time purchases.
Share Wi-Fi, Ethernet or cellular Yes Yes, plus VPNs and USB-tethered phones4G AND 5G ADAPTERS · PRO
Share over Bluetooth Yes No, over Wi-Fi or Ethernet
Share through an Ethernet port No YesWIRED ROUTER MODE · PRO
When no one is connected Turns off after a while, unless you turn off Power saving Keeps running until you stop itHOTSPOT LITE RUNS IN TIMED SESSIONS
Connected devices Lists the devices that are connected Live traffic, data used, internet access and gaming mode for each device
Devices on your main network No, devices get a separate network YesBRIDGED OR WI-FI REPEATER MODE · MAX
Extend your existing Wi-Fi No YesWI-FI REPEATER MODE · MAX
Ad blocking and DNS choice No Yes, for every device on your hotspot

If the Windows hotspot covers what you need, keep using it. Turn it off before you start Connectify Hotspot, since running both at once causes dropouts.

Download Connectify Hotspot

For 64-bit Windows 10 and 11

Checked against Windows 11 26H2 and Connectify Hotspot 27, October 2026

The Fall Creators Update Also Affected Connectify Hotspot

Some of our users on Windows 10 reported that after the Fall Creators Update, Connectify Hotspot no longer worked correctly.

Connectify Hotspot uses some of the same Microsoft programming interfaces as the Windows Mobile Hotspot. When the update broke those, Connectify Hotspot was affected too.

The Fix: Connectify Hotspot 2018, Now Connectify Hotspot 27

Connectify Hotspot 2018 fixed the problem. Every version since, up to today’s Connectify Hotspot 27, includes that fix. Download Connectify Hotspot 27 free for 64-bit Windows 10 or 11.

Free, PRO or MAX

Which version of Connectify Hotspot you need

FREE Hotspot Lite. Share Wi-Fi, Ethernet, a VPN or a USB-tethered phone, with gaming mode and ad blocking. Runs in timed sessions. Download → PRO No time limit. Share 4G and 5G USB modems, share through your PC's Ethernet port, and give your network any name. Buy PRO → MAX Everything in PRO, plus Wi-Fi repeater mode and Bridged mode. Recommended Buy MAX →

Hotspot Lite, the free edition of Connectify Hotspot, covers the setup in this guide. It runs in timed sessions: when one ends, start it again with one click.

Recommended: MAX adds Wi-Fi repeater mode and Bridged mode, for extending your Wi-Fi or putting consoles and casting devices on your home network.

Download Connectify Hotspot

For 64-bit Windows 10 and 11