Top 2 Ways to Use Your Windows 10 as a WiFi Hotspot

Jun. 24, 2022 / Updated by Helia to Windows 10

When there's no WiFi router or the WiFi router happens to not work, can we use Windows 10 as a WiFi hotspot for our iPhone, Android phone or other mobile devices? Do you want to allow your Windows 10 PC to share its Ethernet or wireless Internet connection with other wireless devices?

The answer is "Yes". Let's take a close look at the 2 workarounds below to see how to use Windows 10 as a WiFi hotspot.

Read More:

• 5 Ways to Fix WiFi "No Internet, Secured" Issue on Windows 10

• 4 Methods to Fix WiFi Router Not Working in Windows 10

Way 1. Use Settings to Create a Windows 10 WiFi Hotspot

If you do not know much about computer, this easy method is for you to create a WiFi hotspot in your Windows 10. Windows features a single switch in Settings for turning laptop or desktop with Wi-Fi into a hotspot:

1. Use Windows shortcut keysWin + I to open Settings in Windows 10. Then choose Network & Internet.

2. Select Mobile hotspot from the left pane and then turn on the switch Share my Internet connection with other devices in the right pane.

3. If you dislike the Network name or Network password Windows has set for you, you can click on the Edit button below to open Edit network info, and set the name or password you want.

Enable WiFi on your mobile phone or other wireless device and find the hotspot you’ve created just now. Try the wireless connection sharing.

Note: This method is available on a computer running Windows 10 Anniversary update. If you are not sure whether your PC is in Windows 10 AU, you could check the Windows version and build number.

These related posts may also interest you:

• Top 7 Ways to Fix No WiFi after Windows 10 Update

• How to Change to Multiple WiFi Adapters on Windows 10

• How to Fix Red X/Red Cross on WiFi Icon on Windows 10

• 10 Ways to Fix Unidentified Network after Windows 10 Creators Update

• How to Fix Slow Internet after Windows 10 Creators Update

Way 2. Use Command Line to Create Windows 10 WiFi Hotspot

You can also use Windows 10 PC as a WiFi hotspot by typing several command lines in Command Prompt. This will activate the feature Hosted Network and allows you to create a virtual WiFi in Windows 10. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Make Sure Your PC Supports the Feature

Firstly, you need to go and check if the network adapters and network drivers support the Hosted Network.

1. Use Windows shortcut keys Win + X to launch the Jump List and select Command Prompt (Admin).

2. Type command line below into the dialog box and hit Enter.

netsh wlan show drivers

3. See if it shows Hosted network supported: Yes on the screen. If so, go to the next step and create a WiFi hotspot in Windows 10.

Step 2: Create a Windows 10 WiFi Hotspot

1. Open the Command Prompt (Admin) in Windows 10.

2. Type into the command line below and hit the Enter.

netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=network_name key=network_password

Note: You can name your WiFi after the SSID, and set your password at least 8 strings in length as the Key.

3. Type into the command line below to activate it.

netsh wlan start hostednetwork

When you see The hosted network started on the screen, you’ve created the WiFi hotspot in Windows 10 successfully.

Step 3: Share the WiFi Hotspot to You Wireless Devices

1. Use Windows shortcut key Win + X and select Network Connections from the text pane.

2. Right click on the currently working network adapter (Ethernet or WiFi) and then select Properties.

3. Choose the Sharing tab and enable Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection. Select the Local Area Connection* number form the drop-down menu of Home networking connection. Click OK.

Note: In the Network Connection, you can see the Local Area Connection* number, which is the virtual WiFi adapter appearing after you’ve created the Hosted Network.

Now connect to the WiFi hotspot you’ve created with command lines and surf the Internet.

See Also:

• Fix WiFi Adapter Not Showing up after Windows 10 Creators Update

• Fix 802.11n WLAN/WiFi Adapter Not Working on Windows 10

• Fix No WLAN Access on Windows 10

• Fix “WiFi Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration” on Windows 10

• How to Fix Unidentified Network Problem on Windows 10

What You Should Pay Attention to

1. Make sure the account in Window you log in is the Administrator account.

2. Make sure the wireless network card works properly on your computer. If you fail to create the Windows 10 WiFi hotspot, it is possible that there’s something wrong with the network card or driver, which may result in "We can't set up mobile hotspot" error, Microsoft Edge not working or Google Chrome browser not working issue. It is better to fix the faulty network adapter drivers with Driver Talent in your Windows 10. Click the button to have one.

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3. If you happen to forget the WiFi passwork you’ve set in Hosted Network, type the command line below into the Command Prompt (Admin) to find it.

netsh wlan show hostednetwork setting=security

If you still fail to use your Windows 10 as a WiFi hotspot, or if you have any other Windows 10 WiFi problems, you can comment below or click the LEFT MENU on this page directly for more solutions. You can also go to our Windows 10 Issues and Fix section if you encouter other Windows 10-related issues.

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