Last Updated on May 7, 2026
Need to share your PC’s internet connection with a smartphone, tablet, or another laptop? Whether you are stuck in a hotel with a wired ethernet connection or just want to share your paid Wi-Fi access with friends, Windows makes it incredibly easy to turn your PC into a virtual router.
You can easily share your internet connection as a mobile hotspot, provided your desktop or laptop has a wireless (Wi-Fi) or Bluetooth adapter installed. The process is just as simple as turning on a personal hotspot on your smartphone.
In this guide, we will show you how to set up a mobile hotspot in Windows, change your network password, and troubleshoot common connection issues.
Method 1: Turn On Mobile Hotspot via the System Tray (Fastest Way)
If your settings are already configured, the fastest way to turn on your hotspot is directly from the Windows taskbar.
- Look at the bottom-right corner of your screen (the system tray).
- Click on your Network / Wireless icon.
- Click the Mobile hotspot button to toggle it on.
Once clicked, the icon will highlight, indicating that your hotspot is now broadcasting. It will automatically use your computer’s default network name and password.
Method 2: Set Up Mobile Hotspot via Windows Settings
If you are setting this up for the first time, you need to find out what your computer generated as the default password so other people can connect.
- Press the Windows Key + I to open the Windows Settings app.
- Navigate to Network & Internet, then click on Mobile hotspot on the left-hand menu.
- At the top of the page, toggle the switch to On.
On this screen, you have a few powerful options. Under the “Share my Internet connection from” dropdown, you can choose the source of your internet (such as a wired Ethernet cable or an existing Wi-Fi network). Below that, you can choose to share that connection over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth.
How to Change Your Hotspot Password and Network Band
By default, Windows generates a random, complicated password (like the 612j5H2t shown in our example above). If you want to make this easier for your friends or family to type in, you can customize it.
Simply click the Edit button under the network info section. A pop-up box will appear allowing you to change:
- Network Name: Change this to something recognizable, like “My Laptop Hotspot.”
- Network Password: Create a new password (must be at least 8 characters).
- Network Band: If your computer supports it, you can choose between 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. Choose 5 GHz for faster internet speeds, or choose 2.4 GHz if you need the signal to reach further through walls.
Once you have everything set up, you can simply enable and disable your mobile hotspot from the taskbar as needed. Keep an eye on the “Devices connected” section in your settings, Windows allows you to share your connection with up to 8 different devices at once. If you ever see an unrecognized device, simply change your password to kick off unwanted guests.
Troubleshooting: Windows Mobile Hotspot Not Working
Sometimes, setting up a hotspot doesn’t go perfectly. If you are having trouble, here are the most common fixes:
Why does my mobile hotspot keep turning off?
Windows has a built-in power-saving feature that automatically disables your hotspot if no devices are connected to it to save your laptop battery. To fix this, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile hotspot, scroll to the bottom, and turn Power saving to “Off”.
Devices are connected, but there is no internet.
This usually means your computer’s firewall or antivirus is blocking the shared connection. Try temporarily disabling your third-party antivirus to see if the internet connects. Additionally, ensure your computer’s primary internet connection (your home Wi-Fi or Ethernet) is actually working before trying to share it.
I don’t see the Mobile Hotspot option.
If the option is entirely missing from your settings, your computer likely does not have a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth adapter installed, or the network drivers are out of date. Check your Windows Device Manager to ensure your wireless adapters are active and updated.
