Windows 10 Mobile Hotspot Not Working – How to Fix

Mobile Hotspot Not Working in Windows 10 – Why That Happens

Running Windows 10 on your laptop and need a quick way to share Internet with other devices? Windows’ own mobile hotspot functionality may be what you’re looking for. It allows you create a WiFi hotspot on your PC. But sometimes Windows 10 mobile hotspot is not working.

For example, 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. Along with software bugs, this lack of functionality may also happen because:

  • your WiFi adapter is not active or not enabled
  • your WiFi drivers are outdated.
  • your WiFi adapter is not correctly recognized by Windows.

You need to troubleshoot the issue. This takes time and it’s not guaranteed that the Windows 10 mobile hotspot not working issue will be solved.

Read below how you can avoid such issues in the first place by using the most popular mobile hotspot software for Windows – Connectify Hotspot.

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

Guide to Fixing the Windows 10 Mobile Hotspot Not Working Issue

Connectify Hotspot is an easy-to-use virtual router software 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.

Here’s what you have to do in order to solve the Windows 10 mobile hotspot not working issue:

  1. Download and install the latest version of Connectify Hotspot on your PC or laptop. It’s FREE to use!
  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 WiFi 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

While other virtual router software only “help” you share Internet from laptop to phone (inherent issues included – NAT levels, peering, Chromecast apps won’t find your Chromecast, your Apple TV won’t show up for your Mac to stream to…), Connectify Hotspot offers you more:

If Windows 10 mobile hotspot is not working for you – get Connectify Hotspot and enjoy even more functionalities!

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