How to Fix Mobile Hotspot Not Working Issues in Windows 10

The integration of the internet into our work and daily activities has empowered specific devices to distribute their connections. Beyond your smartphone, your Windows 10 device can function as a network hotspot, enabling the sharing of the internet with other computers.

The ease of use associated with the Windows mobile hotspot feature is unquestionable. Nonetheless, there are situations in which your Windows 10 hotspot could encounter issues, resulting in its dysfunction or impeding other devices from connecting.

Are you facing problems with your Windows 10 hotspot? This guide addresses potential causes and offers solutions on how to fix mobile hotspot not working in Windows 10.

What can be the possible reasons for hotspot issues in Windows 10?

Numerous factors could contribute to the occurrence of this problem. Let’s explore some of the prevalent underlying causes:

1)     Windows Update: In certain instances, a faulty update could serve as the catalyst for this predicament. In such scenarios, the recommended approach involves uninstalling the problematic update to effectively address the issue.

2)     Wireless Driver Issues: When your device’s wireless driver lags behind in updates, complications can ensue. To tackle such challenges, it is advisable to promptly update your drivers, a step that frequently leads to the resolution of the problem.

3)     WAN Miniport Adapter Interference: In certain instances, the WAN Miniport adapter, a pivotal element, can unintentionally introduce errors that have an impact on the proper functioning of the hotspot. A simple solution is to take out this part, which often makes the hotspot works better again.

4)     Firewall Configuration: The Windows Defender Firewall, designed to enhance security, can occasionally unintentionally impede connections, thereby affecting the usability of the hotspot.

To resolve this issue, it’s very important to reset the firewall settings, enabling hassle-free connectivity once more.

Understanding these possible causes and their solutions gives you the power to take action. You can find out what’s wrong and fix your mobile hotspot in Windows 10. If you’re trying to figure out how to fix a mobile hotspot not working in Windows 10, this knowledge helps you know what to do step by step to make it work again.

Steps to address the problem of a mobile hotspot not working on Windows 10

At times, your Windows 10 hotspot might not work anymore or could stop other devices from linking to it. If you’re encountering problems with your mobile hotspot not working on Windows 10, here are some quick remedies that you can try.

Fix 1: Switch off Firewalls & Antivirus Temporarily:

For a short time, disable your firewall, antivirus, or malware protection. These programs might sometimes prevent your mobile hotspot from working. To check if they’re causing the problem, turn them off and try connecting to your hotspot. If you can connect, turn the programs back on one by one to find the culprit. If the issue persists, promptly re-enable these programs to keep your computer safe.

Fix 2: Reconnect with new connection:

If you’re experiencing a Windows 10 mobile hotspot issue, try deleting the current connection from your devices and then reconnecting to the hotspot. Frequently, establishing a fresh connection can resolve authentication errors and fix the problem.

Fix 3: Examine your Wi-Fi Adapter:

Sometimes, the adapter in your computer that helps it connect to Wi-Fi might not be good for sharing a hotspot with other devices. To find out, do these things:

1.         First, press the keys that say Win and S at the same time to open a search box.
2.         In that box, type CMD. Then, right-click on the thing that comes up that says Command Prompt. Pick “Run as administrator.”
3.         If a box pops up, just press Yes.
4.         In the black window that shows up, type “NETSH WLAN show drivers” and then press the Enter button on your keyboard. Look at the words that talk about “Hosted network supported.” It will say yes or not.
5.        If it says no, your Wi-Fi part can’t work with the hotspot thing. The only way to fix this is to change that adapter in your computer. But, if it says yes, and your hotspot is still not working, try the next thing to fix it.

Fix 4: Turn off Bluetooth on your Windows device:

Your computer’s Bluetooth link might cause problems with your mobile hotspot. Turning it off could help solve the problem. Here’s what to do:

1.         Access the Settings on your Windows 10 computer by holding down the Windows key and pressing X. Then, pick Settings from the menu.
2.         Navigate to the Settings menu, and from there, select “Devices.” After that, click on “Bluetooth & other devices.” You’ll see a switch that you can change to turn it off. This will help you disconnect your computer’s Bluetooth connection temporarily.

Try connecting to your hotspot now and observe if it’s functioning correctly. If it’s still not working, then proceed to the next solution to address the issue.

Fix 5: Check Your Operating System is Up-To-Date:

The operating system manages everything on your computer. But if it’s not up to date, your PC could run into issues, like trouble using a hotspot. Here’s how to update the situation if you’re wondering how to fix mobile hotspot not working in Windows 10:

1.         At the bottom left side of your screen, click on Windows icon. Then, select Settings and choose Update & Security.
2.         Click on the section labeled Windows Update.
3.         Press the button that says Check for updates. If there aren’t any updates, it will tell you that “You’re up to date.” But if there are updates available, your computer will automatically download and install them for you.

Fix 6: Start the Internet Connection Troubleshooting:

Just like when you make sure your network adapter is working well, this process can help you figure out if any severe issues with your whole connection are stopping your computer from connecting to a hotspot:

1.         Start by clicking on the Start button that you can find on your taskbar. After that, go to where it says Settings.
2.         Once you’re inside Settings, choose Update & Security, and then select Troubleshoot.
3.         After you’ve done that, scroll down the page until you see something that says, Additional troubleshooters. When you find it, click on it.    Then, from the options that appear, choose Internet Connections.
4.        You’ll see a button that says Run the troubleshooter. Click on that, and just follow the instructions that show up on your screen. They’ll guide you on what to do next.

Fix 7: Check for Your Network Adapter Driver Update:

Keeping your mobile hotspot driver for Windows 10 updated is essential for a smooth internet connection. If this driver isn’t in the current version, it could hinder your computer from connecting to a hotspot. Here’s how to ensure it’s current:

1.         Start by looking at the bottom of your screen and typing “Device Manager” into the search box.
2.         Click on the result that says Device Manager, then go ahead and pick Network adapters. Locate the name of your network adapter driver  (on specific computers, you might see something like Intel® Dual Band Wireless with numbers at the end).
3.         Right-click on your network driver and then choose the  option Update driver.
4.         After you’ve followed these steps, restart your PC before attempting to connect to a hotspot again. This will help ensure that any changes take effect properly.

Wrapping Up:

By using the information shared above in this article, you can fix hotspot issues in Windows 10 and restore your laptop to optimal functionality. A mobile hotspot helps you use the internet on-the-go, but if it doesn’t work when you want it to, it’s not very helpful. For those seeking solutions for troubleshooting the mobile hotspot in Windows 10, refer to the options mentioned above if your PC is experiencing issues with its mobile hotspot feature.