Wireless technologies are already deeply embedded in people’s daily lives, offering easy access to the Internet and comfortable interaction between gadgets. In this sense, many current laptops include specialized components for communicating with wireless networks. You can now not only receive Wi-Fi, but also distribute it by selecting the proper function.

This is known as a mobile hot spot, which translates literally as a “hot spot”. This is a particular element that lets you set up a Wi-Fi access point to connect other devices to a new network. Let’s look at the major characteristics of this function, as well as prevalent issues.

What is a hotspot?

HotSpot is a unique phrase that literally translates as “hot spot”. Not the most understandable phrase, but it conceals the unique capability of establishing an access point for distributing wireless Internet at a predetermined distance from the laptop. Such systems are often utilized in cafes, libraries, cinemas, and other public areas with huge crowds.

A home router that distributes a wireless network throughout a house or apartment is an example of a somewhat advanced and speedy hot spot.

Hot spots incorporated into mobile devices are increasingly popular. A smartphone or tablet linked to a 3G or 4G network can provide wireless Internet access to additional paired devices. Such systems are particularly widely employed in the context of various excursions. However, it is worth noting that some carriers may limit traffic for distribution via smartphone.

Only recently have devices running the Windows operating system begun to function as full-fledged access points. This includes laptops, tablets, and even personal PCs.

Connectivity check

It should be noted that not all modern PCs and laptops have the essential hardware components to set up a wireless network. As a result, it becomes sense to first evaluate the device’s capabilities using the command line.

Run the command prompt as an administrator, then type the “netsh wlan show drivers” command into it.

Following proper processing, the computer hardware parameters should show on the screen. Pay attention to the “Hosted Network Support” function, also known as Hosted Network in English.

To the right of it, there should be an attribute verifying the ability to organize a wireless network. If the function is not confirmed, you must update the driver for the installed network adapter. If this does not work, the machine simply lacks the required hardware.

Enabling Network Sharing on Windows 10

The Windows 10 operating system by default provides all of the functionality required to work with wireless networks. To activate Internet distribution on a PC or laptop running this operating system, do the following:

Open the “Settings” application by clicking the “Start” button or pressing the Win + I keyboard shortcut.

Click on the “Network and Internet” tab, then the “Mobile Hot Spot” option.

In the right part of the window, move the switch opposite the item “Allow my Internet connection to be used on other devices.” It must be set to “on”.

If necessary, choose whether to distribute the Internet over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Both systems will function, however Wi-Fi is preferred due to its longer broadcast range and faster connection speed.

In the following window, look at the elements “Network Name” and “Network Password”. The system will automatically name the network and assign an access code to it. The data can be modified as needed. They will need to be entered on another device in order to join to the wireless network.

Close the Settings app and save any changes you have made.

It is now simply a matter of selecting another device and locating the newly created network among the available connections. The connection will require the previously supplied password. If everything is done successfully, the device will have full Internet access immediately from a laptop or PC via a mobile hotspot.

Set up an access point.

To make it easier to identify and connect to the newly created wireless network, alter the name and access password during the creation process. The “Change” button in the settings window is specifically for this purpose.

After entering all of the characters of interest, make sure to save your modifications. Edits to the network are made immediately, allowing the newly created network with the appropriate name to be clearly identified on the “Mobile Hot Spot” page.

The user receives information about the number of devices connected to the network. This method allows you to connect the Internet to a maximum of eight devices.

The “Energy saving” option appears immediately after you turn on the access point in the settings. It is always turned on by default. This feature allows you to automatically turn off Internet distribution if no devices are connected to the network.

Quick access to a function

In addition to the lengthy setup and initial inclusion of the access point, there is a faster method to activate the desired function. First and foremost, this concerns the mobile hotspot shortcut button in the Action Center.

You can also discover the icon of interest on the taskbar and then select the “Mobile hotspot” button. However, it is important to note that neither of these techniques involves showing the mobile hotspot’s settings and can only work if you first specify the network name and access password.

Possible problems and solutions

Unfortunately, the hotspot function on Windows 10 does not always work reliably and without issues. Users occasionally face issues that prevent them from using this option.

The most common causes of hotspot issues on Windows 10 are:

The inability to activate Internet distribution when linked using the PPoE protocol, which requires entering a username and access password.

Issues with connecting to the network from a mobile device, limited Internet access, and issues when activating the hotspot via command line.

The problems detailed here occur on both standard built-in PC hardware and when utilizing a standalone modem via a USB connection.

Unable to connect.

When attempting to activate a hotspot on a computer, the user may receive an error message claiming that the function cannot be connected. This is typically due to an issue with the network adapter driver.

You must navigate to the “Device Manager”, locate the adapter of interest in the list of installed equipment, and then access its properties. Next, click the “Update driver” option and choose whether to use the automatic search for new versions or manually download new software.

It is important to note that network adapters do not always appear in the Device Manager. In this scenario, click the “View” button and select the box next to the “Show hidden devices” option. If the system discovers hidden devices, they are immediately displayed in the general list. Thus, it will be feasible to update the drivers.

According to some users, the described error could also be caused by problems disabling the virtual adapter. As a result, the essential duty is to ensure that all network cards are active and operational.

A device called “Microsoft Wi-Fi Direct Virtual Adapter” deserves special attention because it is how the Windows operating system distributes the Internet to other devices.

Setting up a mobile hotspot in a PPoE connection

The fault with access restriction in the PPoE connection happens exclusively in the Win10 operating system, as this issue was not present in previous versions. And it’s worth noting that even after numerous upgrades, the developers haven’t been able to totally solve everything.

The command line can occasionally be useful in dealing with the situation, since special codes are input to manually activate the hot spot with all of the necessary rights. However, using third-party software to create a virtual network appears to be a far more efficient solution.

The most popular programs include Virtual Router, Switch Virtual Router, and Connectify 2016. These are sensible and convenient utilities that don’t demand any expenditures and give the user all of the tools they need to configure network access.

Unable to connect devices

Even if the user successfully enabled and configured the hot spot on the PC, he may still have issues while connecting other devices to the new network. Devices will be unable to interface normally with the Internet, resulting in significant annoyance.

The main cause of this problem is an IP address conflict. In a shared network, devices with identical addresses may be unable to communicate with one another. As a result, neither the hotspot nor the devices connected to the network will function normally.

In this instance, the user must ensure that all devices on the same network have unique addresses that do not intersect. Usually, it is sufficient to simply reset the network card settings by selecting the parameters in automatic mode.

The system will assign unique addresses to each device independently, preventing problems caused by coincidence.

In some cases, the difficulty to join is directly tied to the computer from which the network is spread. In this circumstance, it is recommended that you immediately launch the “network connections” application from the “Network and Internet” page. There, choose an adapter for Internet connectivity and open its properties.

Already in the properties, authorization to share and use the Internet via a custom connection is manually granted.

Can’t connect or can’t access the network

When users attempt to activate a hotspot, the system may display a notice indicating that the connection cannot be shared. As a result, after connecting to the newly established network, the connected devices will no longer have Internet access. The most prevalent source of this issue is the use of antivirus software.

Furthermore, the error is frequently caused by a lack of network access or by major issues with the device’s IP address. You might try to customize the system with the built-in tools, or simply remove and make a new connection with predefined values.

Of course, it is critical to confirm the availability of basic Internet connectivity in a timely manner. Setting up a hot spot makes little sense without the primary connection.

Hotspot issues after operating system update

Some people have troubles with the hotspot right after updating the operating system. New files overwrite specific parameters, rendering previously established settings useless.

You can solve the problem by carrying out the following algorithm:

Open Device Manager by running the devmgmt.msc command and expanding the list of installed network adapters. These positions should be eliminated. You don’t have to worry about their safety because the algorithm will eventually find everything and add it to the original list.

Use the operating system’s search bar to open the registry editor.

Right-click the “HostedNetworkSettings” folder and pick “Export” from the context menu that appears.

Keep the key somewhere secure, then delete it from the registry.

Confirm the action and then shut the registry editor.

Restart your computer and start the network adapter troubleshooter.

Check the system for any faults.

Try again to activate the mobile hotspot.

All registry editor modifications must be performed with extreme caution, as errors might disrupt the entire system’s functionality.

Hotspot is a very useful capability for distributing the Internet from a PC to other devices. In most circumstances, activation goes well. However, if problems persist, it is recommended that you reset all settings and reboot. If this does not work, you can consider more drastic treatments.

More insights

Enabling a mobile hotspot on Windows 10 can be a convenient way to share your internet connection with other devices. However, there are several possible errors that users may encounter when trying to set up a mobile hotspot on their Windows 10 PC. In this article, we will discuss common issues such as the mobile hotspot not working, errors related to network adapters, and other hotspot issues, and provide step-by-step solutions to fix them.

One of the most common issues that users encounter when setting up a mobile hotspot on Windows 10 is related to network adapters. If you are experiencing problems with your mobile hotspot, it is important to check your network adapter settings and ensure that the virtual adapter is enabled. You can do this by navigating to the Device Manager and checking the status of your network adapter.

Another potential error that users may encounter is related to the hosted network. If you are unable to start the hosted network using the “netsh wlan start hostednetwork” command in the Command Prompt, it could be due to a variety of reasons such as outdated drivers or compatibility issues. In such cases, updating your network adapter drivers or downloading and installing the necessary updates from Windows Update may resolve the issue.

Additionally, if you are encountering errors when trying to allow other network users to connect to your mobile hotspot, you may need to make changes in the sharing tab of your network adapter settings. Double-clicking on the network adapter and navigating to the sharing tab will allow you to enable sharing and resolve any related errors.

While setting up a mobile hotspot on a Windows 10 PC can be a convenient way to share your internet connection, it is not uncommon to encounter errors during the process. By following the steps outlined in this article, users can troubleshoot and fix common errors related to mobile hotspot setup on Windows 10, ensuring a seamless and reliable internet connection sharing experience.

If you are still encountering issues with your mobile hotspot, consider checking for hidden devices in the Device Manager. Sometimes, hidden devices, including virtual Wi-Fi adapters, can cause conflicts and prevent the mobile hotspot from working properly. To do this, open the Device Manager, click on “View” in the menu, and then select “Show hidden devices.” This will allow you to see any hidden devices and take appropriate action, such as updating drivers or uninstalling conflicting devices.

If you have tried all these troubleshooting steps and are still experiencing problems with your mobile hotspot, you may want to consider using a driver updater tool to automatically update your network adapter drivers. These tools can scan your system for outdated drivers and automatically download and install the latest updates. This can be especially helpful if you are not comfortable manually updating drivers or if you want to ensure that all your drivers are up to date.

Another potential solution is to use the “netsh wlan set hostednetwork” command in the Command Prompt to configure the hosted network settings. This command allows you to specify parameters such as the network mode, SSID, and key for the hosted network. For example, you can use the “netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow” command to enable the hosted network, or “netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=disallow” to disable it.

It’s also worth checking your update history in Windows 10 to see if any recent updates may have affected your network settings. You can do this by typing “update history” in the search box or search bar and reviewing the list of recent updates. If you suspect that a specific update may have caused the issue, you can consider uninstalling it to see if it resolves the problem.

Troubleshooting and fixing errors related to enabling a mobile hotspot on Windows 10 may require a combination of checking adapter settings, updating drivers, using command-line tools, and reviewing recent updates. Feel free to explore these options and find the best solution that works for your specific situation. Remember that enabling a mobile hotspot on Windows 10 should be a straightforward process, and with the right troubleshooting steps, you can enjoy seamless internet connection sharing with other devices.

If you are encountering issues with enabling the mobile hotspot feature on Windows 10, it is essential to check the hotspot adapter settings in the Device Manager. Ensure that the network adapter is enabled and functioning correctly to enable internet connection sharing with other devices.

To troubleshoot the mobile hotspot error, follow the steps below:

1. Update the network adapter driver in the Device Manager to ensure compatibility with the operating system.

2. Access the network connections settings in Windows to configure the hotspot settings and establish a secure internet connection with other devices.

3. Use the network adapter troubleshooter in Windows to diagnose and fix any connectivity issues related to the hotspot feature.

4. If you encounter an error message while enabling the mobile hotspot, access the Control Panel or Settings app to disable the device temporarily and re-enable it to resolve the problem.

5. If necessary, perform a system restore to revert any recent changes that may have affected the network drivers or hotspot settings.

6. Utilize the Windows key + X shortcut to access the Task Manager and manage running processes that could be interfering with the hotspot functionality.

7. If needed, access the registry editor to modify advanced hotspot settings and configurations for a more personalized experience.

8. Finally, click the button to apply any changes made to the hotspot settings and ensure that the mobile hotspot feature is working on Windows 10 seamlessly.

To ensure a secure connection, you can set up a hotspot password in the network and internet settings. By doing so, you can share your internet connection with other devices using the mobile hotspot feature. Additionally, you can enable the internet connection sharing service in the device manager window.

To start the hotspot, press Win + I to open the Settings app, then click on “Network & Internet” in the left pane. Next, select “Mobile hotspot” from the options on the left and configure the settings as needed. When you press the Windows key and type “hotspot,” a dialog window appears where you can start the hotspot.

If Windows reports that the hotspot feature is not working, you can troubleshoot by updating the adapter driver in the device manager window. You can also check if the Windows Defender Firewall is blocking the feature. To do this, press the Windows key and type “Windows Defender Firewall” to access the settings. From there, you can allow the hotspot feature through the firewall.

In some cases, a client device connects to the hotspot, but the host device might lose the connection. To address this issue, you can improve this guide by executing a command in PowerShell with administrative privileges. You can do this by pressing Win + X and selecting “Windows PowerShell (Admin)” from the menu. Then, execute the following command: Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted.

If you need to manage the hotspot programmatically, you can use Windows APIs to control the feature based on your requirements. This allows you to customize and automate the hotspot settings.

By following these steps and utilizing various Windows tools, you can troubleshoot and resolve issues related to the mobile hotspot feature on Windows 10.

What problems did you encounter while enabling mobile hotspot on Windows 10? How was it corrected? Please share in comments.