How to Create a Wi-Fi Hotspot on Your Windows PC? , Ranjan.info

You can turn your Windows 10 or 11 device into a software Wi-Fi router (hotspot/access point) and share internet connection using just the built-in tools. Use this Windows software hotspot to share a simple local wireless network (for example, to share files and printers) and/or an Internet connection with multiple wireless devices (computers, laptops, phones, tablets, and other devices) can be done.

In this article, we will show you how to create a virtual Wi-Fi hotspot in Windows. Assuming that your computer has two network adapters: a network adapter with Internet access (this can be a wired Ethernet connection, or a mobile 3G/4G/5G connection) and a separate wireless WiFi network adapter. Our task is to create a virtual Wi-Fi router on this Windows computer, which will share its Internet connection with other devices.

First, check that the driver for your Wi-Fi adapter supports Virtual Access Point Operation Mode (Ad-Hoc). To do this, run this command

netsh wlan show drivers

The Command Prompt window will display information about the Wi-Fi adapter driver used and the supported options.

,Hosted Network Supported: Yes” The message means that this driver supports the access point mode. Otherwise, try updating the driver version or use another Wi-Fi adapter.

How to Enable Mobile Hotspot in Windows 10 and 11?

Starting from windows 10 1607, you can use mobile hotspot GUI tool for sharing internet with other devices over Wi-Fi.

You can enable Mobile Hotspot using the Settings pane. Settings -> Network & Internet -> Mobile Hotspot) or run the ms-settings quick access command: ms-settings:network-mobilehotspot

just turn on”Share my internet connection with other devices“Toggle.

The new Wi-Fi network name and password will be generated automatically (you can change them). Select the Internet connection you want to share with other devices (share my internet connection with) If your computer has only one Internet connection, it will be automatically selected.

Some types of connections cannot be shared through a mobile hotspot (for example, PPPoE and other VPN connections).

In the same window, a list of devices that are currently connected to your WiFi hotspot is displayed. The device name and MAC address, as well as the IP address assigned to it, are displayed. Windows Virtual Hotspot allows you to connect up to 8 devices at the same time.

Some of the errors that can appear while running Mobile Hotspot on Windows are:

1. When you’re trying to enable a mobile hotspot:

   We can’t set up mobile hotspot. Turn on Wi-Fi.

   Try updating the driver for your Wi-Fi adapter and/or remove the Microsoft Hosted Network Virtual Adapter as per this guide (this virtual adapter is used to create a wireless access pin). After that, restart your computer and try to turn on Mobile Hotspot again.

   

2. We can’t share this Internet connection because we can’t connect to the cellular network

   Just try restarting your internet connection.

   

3. We can’t set up mobile hotspot because your PC doesn’t have an Ethernet, Wi-Fi or cellular data connection

   Most likely there are problems with your internet connection (no network) so you need to check the connection. Also, this error appears when you are connected to the provider via PPPoE, this type of connection is not supported by Mobile Hotspot feature in Windows.

   

Create Virtual Wi-Fi Hotspot on Windows Using Command Prompt

Now let us see how to create a virtual Wi-Fi hotspot in Windows using Command Prompt. In this example, we will create a wireless network named Hotspot (this is the SSID of the network) and with zizipas Security key (password). Open a command prompt (as an administrator) and run the following command:

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=Hotspot key=ZiZiPass

If everything is correct, the command will return the following message:

The hosted network mode has been set to allow.
The SSID of the hosted network has been successfully changed.
The user passphrase of the hosted network has been successfully changed.

This command will create a new virtual Wi-Fi adapter on the computer (Microsoft Hosted Network Virtual Adapter), which will be used as an access point by other wireless devices. Now, enable the created virtual adapter:

netsh wlan start hostednetwork

,Hosted network startedThe message indicates that a software Wi-Fi hotspot has been started successfully.

A new wireless connection named Hotspot The Network and Sharing Center will appear.

Now, if you scan for available Wi-Fi networks on other devices, they will see your wireless hotspot and will be able to connect to it with a password (for the convenience of users, you can use it to generate a QR code for your Wi-Fi network). You can use powershell for .-fi network). Devices connected to such networks can share documents and hardware peripherals, but Internet access through such WiFi hotspots is not yet possible.

How to Share Internet in Windows Using Wi-Fi Hotspot?

Now you need to allow the devices connected to your virtual Wi-Fi access point to use the wired network connection to access the Internet. Click Go to Network and Sharing Center, click on the name of the network adapter through which you can access the Internet. In our example, this is a connection named ethernet,

press Property button on the Network Adapter Status window.

Allow Internet Sharing for this connection. go to sharing tab in the Ethernet Properties window. check the box “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection” And in the dropdown list select the name of the virtual adapter that you created earlier.

save Changes. The Hotspot network type will change in the Network and Sharing Center Internet. This means that this network (and all devices connected to it) now have access to the Internet.

All devices connected to your Windows Hotspot will now be able to access the Internet through the computer’s external network interface. Try connecting to your hotspot from your phone, tablet or another laptop.

You can view the current Wi-Fi access point settings with the command:

Netsh wlan show hostednetwork

The command displays the network name (SSID), supported authentication and encryption types, the maximum number of devices that can simultaneously use this hotspot (maximum number of clients), and the current number of connected clients (number of clients).

The following command displays the security settings of your Wi-Fi hotspot and saved connection passwords (user security keys):

Netsh wlan show hostednetwork setting=security

Hotspot Hidden may not work in SSID mode on Windows 10 or 11.

To start Mobile Hotspot automatically on Windows startup:

1. run command Win+R , shell:startup
2. Create a text file named start_mobile_hotspot.bat,
3. Copy the following PowerShell code to the file and save the file: powershell -ExecutionPolicy Bypass "$connectionProfile = [Windows.Networking.Connectivity.NetworkInformation,Windows.Networking.Connectivity,ContentType=WindowsRuntime]::GetInternetConnectionProfile(); $tetheringManager = [Windows.Networking.NetworkOperators.NetworkOperatorTetheringManager,Windows.Networking.NetworkOperators,ContentType=WindowsRuntime]::CreateFromConnectionProfile($connectionProfile); $tetheringManager.StartTetheringAsync();"
4. Now your hotspot will start automatically when a user logs into windows (you can use windows autologon).
5. If you need to start the wireless hotspot on Windows boot, you can create a scheduler task using PowerShell (the task is run on behalf of the system):
   $Trigger= New-ScheduledTaskTrigger –AtStartup
$User= "NT AUTHORITY\SYSTEM"
$Action= New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute "c:\scripts\start_mobile_hotspot.bat"
Register-ScheduledTask -TaskName "RunHostSpot" -Trigger $Trigger -User $User -Action $Action -RunLevel Highest –Force

Fixing Common Wi-Fi Access Point Issues on Windows

Question, Wi-Fi Hotspot won’t turn on after Windows restarts.

Answer, To restore a Wi-Fi hotspot, you need to start the hosted network with the command:
netsh wlan start hostednetwork

You do not need to re-enter the network name and password.

The Wireless AutoConfig Service (wlansvc) is not running. The hosted network couldn’t be started.

Answer,

run WLAN Autoconfiguration use of service services.msc With console or command prompt:
net start WlanSvc
And restart Virtual Hotspot.

The hosted network couldn’t be started. The group or resource is not in the correct state to perform the requested operation.

Answer,

Make sure your Wi-Fi adapter is on. then open device ManagerChoose show hidden devices In Opinion Menu. find Microsoft Hosted Network Virtual Adapter In the Network Adapters section and enable it.

If that didn’t help, run these commands one by one:

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=disallow
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow

After that recreate the hotspot:

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=Hotspot key=ZiZiPass
netsh wlan start hostednetwork

If you have previously created a Wi-Fi hotspot on this device, try clearing the Hosted Virtual Adapter settings in the registry. delete Hosted Network Settings Under DWORD Registry Parameters HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\WlanSvc\Parameters\HostedNetworkSettings reggae key.

reg delete hklm\system\currentcontrolset\services\wlansvc\parameters\hostednetworksettings /v hostednetworksettings

Question, How to check the status and settings of the access point?

Answer
netsh wlan show hostednetwork

Question, How to temporarily disable or completely remove Virtual Wi-Fi Hotspot?

Answer, To stop your wireless access point, run the command:
netsh wlan stop hostednetwork

Now you can delete hosted network, reset SSID and network security key (password) in Windows: netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=disallow

Question. The device connects to a Wi-Fi hotspot, but there is no Internet access.

Answer: Check the DNS server settings on your device (Try manually specifying the address of the public Google DNS server (8.8.8.8) in your client’s network settings. Also, try restarting the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) service) Try, or disable and re-enable the adapter through which your Windows device is connected to the Internet.

For security purposes, a domain administrator can disable the Mobile Hotspot feature on computers that are connected to an Active Directory domain. Restrict the use of Internet Connection Sharing on your DNS domain network GPO Options (under Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Network -> Network Connections). Check that this policy is not configured by using the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) and the Group Policy Resultant tool (gpreult.exe or rsop.msc).

Some other common problems that can cause Wi-Fi hotspot not working on Windows are:

• Firewalls built into third-party anti-virus software may block Internet connection sharing. Try disabling the firewall temporarily and see if the problem occurs when the firewall is disabled;
• Make sure you have enabled sharing in the properties of your Internet connection;
• Make sure the ICS Internet Sharing service is enabled on your Windows device that is sharing its Internet connection via Wi-Fi. the easiest way to open it services.msc With the Snap-in or Get-Service PowerShell cmdlet: Get-Service SharedAccess ,
• Run the Network Adapter Troubleshooter (Network Adapter Troubleshooter: Troubleshoot -> Network Adapters -> Run the troubleshooter). The Network Troubleshooter tool will check the current network adapter settings and attempt to fix problems automatically;
• Reset Windows network settings (Settings -> Network -> Network reset) and recreate your Wi-Fi hotspot.