Windows 11 includes a built-in Mobile Hotspot feature that lets you turn your PC into a wireless hotspot. This can be useful when you want to share your computer’s internet connection with a phone, tablet, laptop, or another compatible device.
You do not need to install third-party hotspot software. Windows can share an available Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular internet connection, depending on the hardware and network configuration of your computer.
The Mobile Hotspot feature also lets you choose the connection you want to share, set a network name and password, and control whether the hotspot uses Wi-Fi or another supported connection method.
If you frequently need to share your PC’s internet connection, knowing how to configure this feature can save time and eliminate the need for a separate router or hotspot device.
Method 1: Turn On Mobile Hotspot From Settings
The easiest way to create a Wi-Fi hotspot is through Windows 11 Settings.
Follow these steps:
- Press Windows + I to open Settings.
- Click Network & internet in the left sidebar.
- Select Mobile hotspot.
- Find the Share my internet connection from option.
- Select the internet connection you want Windows to share.
- Under Share over, select Wi-Fi.
- Turn on the Mobile hotspot switch.
Windows will immediately start broadcasting a wireless hotspot.
You can now connect another device to your PC’s hotspot just as you would connect to a normal Wi-Fi network.
Make sure your computer remains connected to the internet. If the source connection is disconnected, devices connected to the hotspot will also lose internet access.
Method 2: Change the Hotspot Network Name and Password
Windows automatically creates a network name and password for the Mobile Hotspot, but you can change these details to make the connection easier to identify.
Follow these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Network & internet.
- Click Mobile hotspot.
- Locate the Properties section.
- Click Edit.
- Enter a new network name in the Network name field.
- Enter a new password in the Network password field.
- Choose the available network band if Windows provides the option.
- Click Save.
Your new hotspot settings will be applied.
Use a strong password instead of an easy-to-guess combination. Anyone within wireless range may be able to see the hotspot name, so password protection is important.
After changing the network name or password, devices that were previously connected may need to reconnect using the new credentials.
Method 3: Choose Which Internet Connection to Share
Windows 11 can share different types of internet connections. This is particularly useful if your computer has both Ethernet and Wi-Fi available.
To choose the connection:
- Open Settings with Windows + I.
- Select Network & internet.
- Click Mobile hotspot.
- Find Share my internet connection from.
- Open the drop-down menu.
- Select the connection you want to share.
For example, if your PC is connected to the internet through Ethernet, you can select the Ethernet connection and share it through the computer’s Wi-Fi adapter.
If your PC has a cellular connection, Windows may also provide that connection as an available source.
The exact options depend on the network adapters installed in your computer and how Windows currently detects the available connections.
Method 4: Turn the Hotspot On or Off From Quick Settings
You do not always need to open the full Settings application to enable or disable the hotspot.
Windows 11 provides Quick Settings for frequently used network features.
Follow these steps:
- Press Windows + A.
- Look for the Mobile hotspot button.
- Click it to turn the hotspot on.
- Click it again when you want to turn the hotspot off.
If the Mobile Hotspot button is not visible:
- Press Windows + A.
- Click the Edit quick settings button.
- Choose Add.
- Look for Mobile hotspot.
- Add it to Quick Settings.
- Click Done.
This gives you a convenient way to control the hotspot without navigating through several Settings pages.
The hotspot still uses the configuration you selected in the main Mobile Hotspot settings.
Method 5: Connect a Phone or Another PC to the Hotspot
Once Mobile Hotspot is enabled, you can connect other wireless devices to it.
First, find your hotspot details:
- Open Settings.
- Go to Network & internet > Mobile hotspot.
- Check the Network name.
- Check the Network password.
Then, on the device you want to connect:
- Open its Wi-Fi settings.
- Turn on Wi-Fi.
- Search for available wireless networks.
- Select your Windows 11 hotspot.
- Enter the hotspot password.
- Select Connect.
The device should connect to your computer and use the PC’s shared internet connection.
If the hotspot does not appear immediately, turn Wi-Fi off and on again on the receiving device and make sure Mobile Hotspot is still enabled on the Windows PC.
Method 6: Configure Power-Saving Behavior
Windows 11 can automatically turn off Mobile Hotspot when no devices are connected. This can help reduce unnecessary power and network usage.
To check the available settings:
- Open Settings.
- Select Network & internet.
- Click Mobile hotspot.
- Review the available Mobile Hotspot options.
- Enable or disable the automatic power-saving option according to your needs.
If the hotspot is only needed temporarily, allowing Windows to turn it off when unused can be useful.
If you need another device to connect later without manually enabling the hotspot again, check the available settings and keep the hotspot active when appropriate.
The exact behavior and options can vary depending on your Windows 11 version and hardware.
Method 7: Fix Windows 11 Mobile Hotspot Not Working
Sometimes Mobile Hotspot may refuse to start, disappear from Settings, or allow devices to connect without providing internet access.
Start with these basic checks:
- Make sure your PC has an active internet connection.
- Confirm that Wi-Fi is enabled.
- Turn Mobile Hotspot off and back on.
- Restart the computer.
- Restart the device attempting to connect.
- Check that the hotspot password is correct.
- Move the receiving device closer to the PC.
- Disconnect unnecessary VPN connections temporarily.
- Check whether Windows detects the wireless adapter correctly.
If the hotspot turns on but connected devices have no internet access, check the Share my internet connection from setting. You may be sharing the wrong network adapter.
For example, if your PC is connected to the internet through Ethernet but Windows is configured to share another disconnected connection, the hotspot may be visible but unable to provide internet access.
You can also open Device Manager and check the wireless network adapter:
- Right-click the Start button.
- Select Device Manager.
- Expand Network adapters.
- Find your wireless adapter.
- Check whether it shows an error symbol.
- Update or reinstall the driver if necessary.
If the wireless adapter or its driver is malfunctioning, Windows may not be able to create a reliable hotspot.
Conclusion
Windows 11 makes it relatively easy to turn a computer into a Wi-Fi hotspot without installing additional software. The built-in Mobile Hotspot feature can share your PC’s internet connection with phones, tablets, laptops, and other compatible devices.
The main configuration is available under Settings > Network & internet > Mobile hotspot, where you can choose the connection to share, change the hotspot name and password, and enable or disable the feature.
For faster access, you can also add Mobile Hotspot to Quick Settings. If another device cannot connect or receives no internet access, check the shared connection, Wi-Fi adapter, password, and network configuration.
Remember that the hotspot shares your computer’s existing internet connection; it does not create a separate internet connection by itself.
FAQs
1. Can I use Windows 11 as a Wi-Fi hotspot?
Yes. Windows 11 includes a built-in Mobile Hotspot feature that can share an existing internet connection with other devices over Wi-Fi.
2. How do I change my Windows 11 hotspot password?
Go to Settings > Network & internet > Mobile hotspot, click Edit under the hotspot properties, enter a new password, and save the changes.
3. Can I share Ethernet internet through Wi-Fi?
Yes. If your Windows 11 PC is connected to the internet through Ethernet and has a compatible Wi-Fi adapter, you can select the Ethernet connection as the source and share it through Mobile Hotspot.
4. Why is my Windows 11 hotspot connected but has no internet?
Check which connection Windows is sharing under Share my internet connection from. Also verify that the PC itself has working internet access, then restart Mobile Hotspot and the connected device. If the problem continues, check the Wi-Fi adapter and its driver.
Quick Summary
- Open Settings > Network & internet > Mobile hotspot to create a Windows 11 hotspot.
- Select the internet connection you want to share and choose Wi-Fi.
- Use Edit to change the hotspot’s network name and password.
- Use Windows + A for quicker access to Mobile Hotspot through Quick Settings.