7 Ways to Fix Mobile Hotspot Not Working on Windows 11

Quick Tips

• If your mobile hotspot isn’t working on your Windows computer, restart your computer.
• You should also ensure you’re using the latest network driver update on your computer.
• One of the recent changes in your network settings can also cause the problem. In that case, reset the network settings to fix the issue.

Try These Things First

• Turn off Bluetooth: Sometimes, the Bluetooth connection on your PC may interfere with the mobile hotspot. Hence, turn off Bluetooth to see if that helps.
• Disable VPN: Your mobile hotspot might not work on your Windows 11 computer if you’re connected to a VPN on your smartphone or even on your computer itself. To rule out this possibility, disconnect from the VPN and see if the problem persists.

Fix 1: Run Network Adapter Troubleshooter

Troubleshooters are built into Windows 11 to detect and fix various computer problems. Hence, start with the Network Adapter troubleshooter to let it fix the mobile hotspot issue for you.

Step 1: Press the Windows + S keys to open Windows Search, type troubleshooting settings, and press Enter.

Step 2: Go to Other troubleshooters.

Step 3: Scroll down to locate Network Adapter and click on Run next to it to begin troubleshooting.

Fix 2: Start the Mobile Hotspot Service

Mobile Hotspot service is a small program that needs to work in the background for the hotspot to work. Ideally, this service should start every time you turn on the mobile hotspot. But if that isn’t happening, try starting it manually by following the steps below.

Step 1: Open the Start menu, type services, and press Enter.

Step 2: Scroll down to locate and right-click on Windows Mobile Hotspot Services > select Start from the resulting menu.

Check to see if the mobile hotspot works now.

Fix 3: Change the Startup Type of the WLAN AutoConfig Service

The WLAN AutoConfig service is another important Windows service that ensures your computer detects and connects to wireless networks. If this service is set to start manually instead of automatically, you might face the problem at hand. To fix this, change the startup type of the service.

Step 1: Open the Services window, right-click the WLAN AutoConfig Service, and choose Properties.

Step 2: Change the Startup type to Automatic > click Apply > OK to save the changes.

Fix 4: Check Network Adapter

If the issue persists, check the network adapter settings on your PC to see if the problem is with them. Here’s how.

Step 1: Press Windows + I keys to open Settings. Switch to the Network and internet tab on your left > go to Advanced network settings.

Step 2: Next, click on More network adaptor options. This will open a Network connections window.

Step 3: Then, right-click the network adapter for your mobile hotspot and choose Properties.

Step 4: Under Sharing, uncheck the box for Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection.

Step 5: Restart your PC before using the hotspot again.

Fix 5: Tweak Windows Registry

If you’re still bothered by the mobile hotspot issues, try tweaking Windows Registry files on your PC.

Before proceeding, it’s important to know that registry files are critical for the Windows operating system. Hence, you should start cautiously and spare time to backup your registry files beforehand.

Step 1: Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog > type regedit > press Enter.

Step 2: Use the address bar at the top to navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesWlanSvcParametersHostedNetworkSettings

Step 3: On your right, locate HostedNetworkSettings. Right-click on it and select Delete.

After that, restart your PC and see if you can use a mobile hotspot now.

Fix 6: Uninstall a Recent Windows Update

If the problem started after you downloaded a Windows update, there’s probably an issue with that update causing the current problem. You can uninstall that update to fix it. Here’s how:

Step 1: Launch the Settings app, select Windows Update from the left sidebar, and click Update history on the right.

Step 2: Select Uninstall updates. Then, click Uninstall next to the update after which you started facing the problem. Click Uninstall again to confirm your decision.

After that, restart your computer, and you should no longer be facing the problem.

Fix 7: Reset Network Settings

If nothing works, you might have to reset existing network settings on your PC as a last resort. Here’s how:

Step 1: Open the Settings app, navigate to the Network & Internet tab, and click on Advanced network settings.

Step 2: Under More settings, click on Network reset.

Step 3: Lastly, click on Reset now next to Network reset.

Wait for the process to finish, and reboot your PC afterward to see if that resolves the issue.

Also Read: How to fix your “Connection was interrupted” error on Chrome