Mobile Hotspot Not Giving Internet to Connected Devices – Complete Fix Guide (2026)

Table of Contents

• Why Mobile Hotspot Not Giving Internet to Connected Devices Happens
• 1. Restart Mobile Hotspot and Services
• 2. Verify Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) Settings
• 3. Change Hotspot Network Name and Password
• 4. Assign Static IP Addresses Manually
• 5. Reset Network Stack and Flush DNS
• 6. Run Windows Network Troubleshooter
• 7. Update or Reinstall Network Adapter Drivers
• 8. Disable Antivirus and Firewall Temporarily
• 9. Advanced Troubleshooting
• Conclusion
• FAQ

Hub: Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub

Quick Answer
Mobile Hotspot Not Giving Internet to Connected Devices is a common Windows 11 issue where devices connect to the hotspot but cannot access the internet. To fix it, restart the Windows Mobile Hotspot Service, verify Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) settings, change the hotspot network name and password, assign static IP addresses manually, reset the network stack, and run the network troubleshooter. If the error persists, update or reinstall network drivers, temporarily disable antivirus, or use advanced solutions like DHCP configuration fixes. For more Windows troubleshooting, visit our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub.

Why Mobile Hotspot Not Giving Internet to Connected Devices Happens

Mobile Hotspot Not Giving Internet to Connected Devices is a frustrating issue where your Windows 11 device successfully shares a Wi-Fi network, but connected devices show “Connected, No Internet” or fail to obtain an IP address. This problem has become increasingly common, especially after Windows 11 updates like 24H2. Users frequently report that devices get stuck at “Obtaining IP address” or connect without internet access. According to a Microsoft Answers discussion, this issue affects many users across different hardware configurations.

The Mobile Hotspot Not Giving Internet to Connected Devices issue can be caused by several factors:

• Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) misconfiguration: ICS settings may not be properly enabled or may be pointing to the wrong network adapter.
• DHCP server failure: The hotspot’s DHCP service may not be assigning valid IP addresses to connected devices.
• Driver issues: Outdated or corrupted Wi-Fi drivers can prevent proper hotspot functionality.
• Firewall or antivirus blocking: Security software can block the connection.
• Network configuration conflicts: Incorrect DNS settings or IP conflicts can cause connectivity problems.
• Windows updates: Recent updates, particularly 24H2, have been known to break mobile hotspot functionality.

If you are experiencing this issue, the problem is often not with your mobile data or internet source but with how Windows 11 is sharing the connection. For similar Wi-Fi issues, see our Windows 11 WiFi Keeps Disconnecting and WiFi Connected but No Internet on Windows 11 guides.

1. Restart Mobile Hotspot and Services

The simplest fix for Mobile Hotspot Not Giving Internet to Connected Devices is restarting the Mobile Hotspot Service and toggling the hotspot off and on.

1. Press Win + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
2. Find Windows Mobile Hotspot Service in the list.
3. Right-click and select Restart. If it is not running, select Start.
4. Also restart Network Connections, WWAN AutoConfig, Remote Access Auto Connection Manager, and Remote Access Connection Manager.
5. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Hotspot.
6. Toggle the hotspot Off, wait 10 seconds, then toggle it On again.
7. Try connecting a device to test if the issue is resolved.

2. Verify Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) Settings

Internet Connection Sharing must be correctly configured for the hotspot to work. Misconfigured ICS settings are a primary cause of Mobile Hotspot Not Giving Internet to Connected Devices.

1. Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.
2. Right-click the network adapter that has internet access (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and select Properties.
3. Go to the Sharing tab.
4. Check “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection”.
5. Under “Home networking connection”, select the correct hotspot adapter (usually named “Local Area Connection*” followed by a number).
6. Click OK to save the changes.
7. If the option is already checked, uncheck it, click OK, reopen Properties, re-check it, and select the correct adapter again.

3. Change Hotspot Network Name and Password

Many users have reported that changing the hotspot network name and password resolves Mobile Hotspot Not Giving Internet to Connected Devices by forcing a refresh of the hotspot configuration.

1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Hotspot.
2. With the hotspot switched on or off, expand Properties and click Edit.
3. Change the Network name and/or Network password.
4. Click Save.
5. Reconnect your devices using the new credentials.

4. Assign Static IP Addresses Manually

If the hotspot’s DHCP server is failing to assign IP addresses, manually setting static IP addresses can resolve Mobile Hotspot Not Giving Internet to Connected Devices.

1. On the connected device (phone or other PC), go to its Wi-Fi settings.
2. Find the hotspot network and select Modify network or Advanced options.
3. Change IP settings from DHCP to Static.
4. Enter the following values:
   • IP Address: 192.168.137.x (where x is a number between 2 and 254, e.g., 192.168.137.10)
   • Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
   • Gateway: 192.168.137.1 (this is the hotspot’s IP address)
   • DNS 1: 8.8.8.8 (Google DNS)
   • DNS 2: 8.8.4.4
5. Save the settings and try browsing the internet.

5. Reset Network Stack and Flush DNS

Corrupted network settings can cause Mobile Hotspot Not Giving Internet to Connected Devices. Resetting the network stack and flushing DNS can restore functionality.

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator (right-click Start and select Terminal Admin).
2. Run the following commands in sequence:

   ipconfig /release
   ipconfig /renew
   ipconfig /flushdns
   netsh winsock reset
   netsh int ip reset

3. Restart your computer.
4. Try enabling the hotspot and connecting a device.

6. Run Windows Network Troubleshooter

Windows 11 includes a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix common network issues, including Mobile Hotspot Not Giving Internet to Connected Devices.

1. Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
2. Find Network Adapter and click Run.
3. Follow the on-screen prompts to allow Windows to detect and fix issues.
4. Also run the Internet Connections troubleshooter.
5. Restart your computer and test the hotspot.

7. Update or Reinstall Network Adapter Drivers

Outdated or corrupted Wi-Fi drivers are a common cause of Mobile Hotspot Not Giving Internet to Connected Devices. For official driver guidance, refer to the Intel Wireless Support page.

1. Open Device Manager (right-click Start and select Device Manager).
2. Expand Network adapters.
3. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select Update driver.
4. Select “Search automatically for drivers”.
5. If Windows does not find an update, visit your manufacturer’s website (Intel, Realtek, MediaTek, etc.) to download the latest driver.
6. Alternatively, right-click the adapter and select Uninstall device. Check “Delete the driver software” if available, then restart your PC to let Windows reinstall the driver.

8. Disable Antivirus and Firewall Temporarily

Third-party antivirus software can interfere with the hotspot and cause Mobile Hotspot Not Giving Internet to Connected Devices. AVG antivirus, in particular, has been identified as a cause of DHCP lease extension failures.

1. Open your antivirus application.
2. Turn off real-time protection or firewall temporarily.
3. Also check if Windows Firewall is blocking the connection:
   1. Open Windows Security > Firewall & network protection.
   2. Ensure the hotspot is allowed through the firewall.
4. Test the hotspot with the antivirus disabled.
5. If the hotspot works, add the hotspot adapter or the Windows Mobile Hotspot Service to the antivirus exclusion list.
6. Re-enable your security software immediately after testing.

9. Advanced Troubleshooting

If the error persists, try these advanced solutions.

Perform a Network Reset

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset and click Reset now. This removes and reinstalls all network adapters. Your PC will restart automatically.

Check DHCP Configuration

If devices cannot obtain IP addresses, the DHCP server on the hotspot may not be enabled. In Command Prompt, check if DHCP is enabled on the hotspot adapter:

ipconfig /all

Look for the hotspot adapter (e.g., “Local Area Connection*”) and check if DHCP Enabled is set to No. If it is disabled, this is likely the cause of Mobile Hotspot Not Giving Internet to Connected Devices.

Install the Latest Windows Updates

Microsoft has acknowledged mobile hotspot issues in Windows 11 24H2. Installing the latest cumulative updates may resolve the problem. Open Settings > Windows Update and check for updates.

Use Third-Party Hotspot Software

If the built-in Windows hotspot continues to fail, consider using third-party software like Connectify or MyPublicWiFi as a temporary workaround.

Check for Malware

Malware can interfere with network settings. Run a full scan with Windows Defender Offline. For detailed steps, see How to Scan Malware Windows 11.

Perform a System Restore

If the error started after a system change, use System Restore to revert. See How to Use System Restore Windows 11.

For more Windows troubleshooting, explore our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub.

Conclusion

Mobile Hotspot Not Giving Internet to Connected Devices is a frustrating but solvable issue. The most effective solutions are restarting the Windows Mobile Hotspot Service, verifying Internet Connection Sharing settings, changing the network name and password, assigning static IP addresses, resetting the network stack, and running the network troubleshooter. If the error persists, update or reinstall network drivers, temporarily disable antivirus, or perform a network reset.

Regular system maintenance, such as keeping drivers updated and periodically checking network settings, can prevent Mobile Hotspot Not Giving Internet to Connected Devices from recurring. For more Windows and networking troubleshooting, explore our Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub and check out related articles on Windows 11 No Internet Secured Wi-Fi Error, WiFi Connected but No Internet, and Windows 11 WiFi Keeps Disconnecting.

Related Guides

• Windows 11 Troubleshooting Hub
• Windows 11 No Internet Secured Wi-Fi Error
• WiFi Connected but No Internet on Windows 11
• Windows 11 WiFi Keeps Disconnecting
• How to Fix Mobile Hotspot Not Working Windows 11
• How to Share Internet Over Wi-Fi Windows 11
• Windows 11 Hotspot 5GHz Not Visible Fix
• How to Fix DHCP Not Enabled Windows 11
• How to Set Static IP Windows 11 Hotspot
• Windows 11 ICS Internet Connection Sharing Guide
• How to Fix Network Adapter Driver Issues
• Network Performance Optimization Windows 11
• How to Update Drivers Windows 11
• How to Use System Restore Windows 11

FAQ