Hooking up your mobile hotspot to a Windows 11 laptop might sound dead easy — in theory. Turn on the hotspot on your phone, find that Wi-Fi network on your laptop, punch in the password, and you’re away. But more often than not, things don’t go to plan. Maybe the hotspot doesn’t show up on the list, or the connection keeps cutting out. Annoying, but no drama — it’s usually fixable with a few tweaks. This guide covers the main stuff and a few tips to troubleshoot if things go pear-shaped.
How to Connect Your Mobile Hotspot to a Laptop Running Windows 11
Hotspot Not Showing Up? Here’s What to Check First
If your laptop can’t see your phone’s hotspot, start by triple-checking the basics. Make sure the hotspot is actually turned on and broadcasting — not just toggled, but actively visible. Sometimes a quick turn-off and on again can clear up minor gremlins. On your phone, go into Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & tethering (or a similar menu, depending on your brand). Turn on Mobile Hotspot. Also, check the network name (SSID) and password — usually on the same screen or easy to change to something you’ll remember.
A quick restart on both devices helps too. Power off your phone and laptop, then boot them back up and try again. Because, of course, Windows can be a bit stubborn sometimes. On some setups, it might fail initially but will connect after a restart or toggling the hotspot a couple of times.
Make Sure Wi-Fi Is Enabled & Discoverable
On your Windows 11 laptop, check the Wi-Fi icon on the taskbar. If it’s missing or greyed out, you’ll need to enable Wi-Fi manually. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Wi-Fi and flick it on. Also, check that your device isn’t in airplane mode. If Wi-Fi’s disabled, the network won’t show up. Sometimes, switching Wi-Fi off and on again helps detect networks better. Interference or disabled Wi-Fi can be the culprits.
Connect Manually with the Correct SSID & Password
When your phone’s hotspot is up and running, you should see its network name in the Wi-Fi list. If not, try refreshing the list or toggling your Wi-Fi adapter. On Windows 11, click the Network icon (bottom right corner), then choose Show available networks. Find your network, click on it, and punch in the password from your phone. Watch out for typos — passwords can be case-sensitive and may have tricky characters. Sometimes, your keyboard layout might change, so double-check that too. If you’ve tried connecting before and it’s failed, removing (forgetting) the network and trying again can help clear out any saved info causing issues.
Troubleshooting Hotspot Connection & Stability
If you’re entering the right password but still can’t connect, check your phone’s hotspot settings. Make sure it’s not limited to a set number of connected devices or that you aren’t hitting a data cap that disables the hotspot. Also, verify your phone has a decent cell signal — no point trying to connect if the signal’s weak. Keep your phone close to your laptop to get a better Wi-Fi signal and avoid disconnects.
Adjusting the hotspot “Band” (2.4 GHz vs 5 GHz) can sometimes boost stability. Windows 11 can be fussy about which band it likes, so try switching if your connection keeps dropping.
Pro tip: If your hotspot is laggy or unreliable, try turning off VPNs or other heavy network apps temporarily to see if that helps.
Advanced Fixes — Command Line & Drivers
If connection issues stick around, there are some more advanced tricks. Open PowerShell or Command Prompt as an administrator, and run:
netsh wlan show driversCheck the “Radio types supported” info. Make sure your Wi-Fi driver supports the band your phone’s hotspot is using. Updating your Wi-Fi drivers can also fix compatibility woes. Head over to Device Manager > Network adapters, right-click your Wi-Fi card, and pick Update driver. Or visit your laptop’s manufacturer website for the latest drivers.
Another One to Try… Reset Network Settings
Sometimes Windows gets a bit clogged with old settings. To reset everything, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. Follow the on-screen instructions, then reconnect to your hotspot. Be ready for a quick restart afterwards. It’s a bit of a nuclear option, but it works if all else fails.
Tips for a Better Hotspot Experience
- Use the 2.4 GHz band if you need more range; 5 GHz is faster but won’t go as far.
- If you’re hitting data caps, keep an eye on your usage via your mobile provider’s app or settings.
- Close any unnecessary apps running in the background that might be gobbling up bandwidth.
- Keep your phone charged — hotspot mode drains power like crazy.
- If you frequently rely on the hotspot, consider a dedicated mobile hotspot device. They’re built for this and often handle multiple connections better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn’t my laptop picking up my phone’s hotspot?
It could be that the hotspot isn’t broadcasting, Wi-Fi is disabled on your laptop, or there’s interference blocking the signal. Restart both devices, double-check hotspot settings, and ensure Wi-Fi is turned on on your laptop.
What if I forget the hotspot password?
Most phones save the hotspot password in the settings. Just head to Settings > Mobile Hotspot & Tethering and view or change the password there.
Is hotspot use draining my phone’s battery?
Too right. It can drain the battery pretty quick, especially if you’re tethering for hours. Keep your phone plugged in if you can, or keep a close eye on the battery level.
Can I connect a few devices at once?
Most phones support multiple connections, but bandwidth gets shared. The more devices, the slower your internet will be for each. Also, if you hit a data cap, things might slow right down or stop altogether.
How long can I keep the hotspot going?
No hard and fast limit, but running it for ages can cause your phone to overheat and use heaps of battery. Keep an eye on your device’s temperature and power levels, especially if you’re on a long trip or working remotely.
Summary
- Check your hotspot settings and restart both devices if needed
- Make sure Wi-Fi is on and your phone’s hotspot is broadcasting
- Connect manually, and double-check network names and passwords
- Use troubleshooting commands or update drivers if the connection’s dodgy
- Switch between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz if needed, and keep your phone charged
Wrap-up
Getting your laptop to play nicely with your phone’s hotspot isn’t always a walk in the park, but once you know the basics and what to look out for, it’s a massive help. Plenty of trial and error, sure, but most issues are fixable without breaking a sweat. Hope this sheds some light and saves you from pulling your hair out. Cheers and good luck out there!