Windows 11 mobile hotspot not working and how to fix it

If your Windows 11 mobile hotspot stops working, it means your PC isn’t sharing its internet connection properly or connected devices can’t access the internet. This usually happens because of outdated network drivers, incorrect settings, disabled services, or interference from other software. To fix it, first confirm the hotspot is enabled, then restart relevant services, update drivers, and reset network settings if necessary.

What it looks like when your Windows 11 mobile hotspot isn’t working

You might see these symptoms when your mobile hotspot fails:

Can't turn on mobile hotspot
Mobile hotspot is off because no internet connection is available

• The hotspot toggle doesn’t respond or turns off immediately after enabling.
• Devices show as connected but can’t access the internet.
• The hotspot appears visible but won’t accept connections or drops them quickly.

Why your Windows 11 mobile hotspot might suddenly stop working

Several factors can cause your hotspot to stop working:

• Outdated or corrupted network drivers that disrupt hardware communication.
• Windows updates that change network settings or introduce bugs.
• Conflicts from multiple active network adapters or VPN software.
• Disabled system services or permissions related to internet sharing.
• Firewall or antivirus software blocking hotspot connections.
• Power management settings turning off network adapters to save energy.

How to troubleshoot and fix Windows 11 mobile hotspot issues step by step

1. Check the mobile hotspot toggle:

Settings > Network & internet > Mobile hotspot

Make sure it’s turned on and the correct internet source is selected.

2. Restart the network services:

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

Restart-Service -Name "WlanSvc"
Restart-Service -Name "SharedAccess"

These commands restart the WLAN AutoConfig and Internet Connection Sharing services.

3. Update network drivers:

Open Device Manager, expand Network adapters, right-click your wireless adapter, and choose Update driver > Search automatically. If no update appears, visit your PC manufacturer’s website to download the latest driver.

4. Reset network settings:

Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset

This removes and reinstalls all network adapters and resets network components. Your PC will restart.

5. Check firewall and antivirus:

Temporarily disable any third-party antivirus or firewall software to see if they block hotspot connections. If disabling fixes the problem, configure exceptions to allow hotspot services.

6. Verify power management:

In Device Manager, right-click your wireless adapter, select Properties > Power Management, and uncheck "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power."

How to verify your mobile hotspot is working correctly after fixes

After applying fixes, turn on the hotspot and connect a device like a smartphone or tablet. The device should detect the hotspot SSID and connect without errors. Confirm the connected device can browse the internet.

On your Windows 11 PC, go to Settings > Network & internet > Mobile hotspot to check if the "Connected devices" count increases and no errors appear. You can also open Command Prompt and run:

netsh wlan show hostednetwork

This command shows the hotspot status and connected clients.

How to prevent mobile hotspot problems in Windows 11 going forward

To avoid future issues:

• Keep your network drivers updated by checking your PC manufacturer’s site or using Windows Update.
• Avoid running multiple network management or VPN applications at the same time, as they can conflict.
• Restart your PC and network services occasionally to refresh connections.
• Review power management settings to prevent your network adapter from shutting down unexpectedly.
• Keep Windows updated but watch update notes for any network-related changes that might affect your hotspot settings.

Conclusion

If your Windows 11 mobile hotspot stops working, systematically check your settings, restart network services, update drivers, and reset network configurations as needed. Verify the fix by connecting a device to the hotspot and confirming internet access. Regularly updating drivers, avoiding conflicting software, and managing power settings will help prevent future problems. If issues continue, contact Microsoft support or your PC manufacturer for further help.