How to Create a Hotspot in Windows 10

Last Updated: March 27, 2021

In Windows 10, you can broadcast your WiFi, Ethernet, or cellular data connection as a Wi-Fi hotspot. This allows other devices to connect to it. This can be done through the Settings app. Read this article to learn how.

Steps

1
Open Settings. Press the Start
button and then the Settings gear
on the lower-left hand side of the menu.
2
Click or tap the
Network & Internet section.
3
Select Mobile hotspot from the left pane.
4
Choose your settings.
- Select which connection you want to share under "Share my Internet connection from".
- Press the Edit button to change the hotspot's name and password.
- "Turn on remotely" automatically turns on the hotspot if both devices (PC and that device) are Bluetooth-enabled.^{[1]
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5
Toggle on
the slider next to "Share my Internet connection with other devices". Other devices will now see your hotspot and connect to it provided the correct password is entered.

Community Q&A

Question

What if when I go into Network & Internet, it doesn't have hot-spot under that?

Isum007

Community Answer

If your PC has a cellular data connection, you can turn your Windows 10 PC into a mobile hotspot by sharing your Internet connection with other devices over Wi-Fi. Select the Start button, then select Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile hotspot. If your Windows PC doesn't support Hotspot feature, you cannot create a hotspot. For Share my Internet connection from, choose the Internet connection you want to share. Select Edit > enter a new network name and password > Save. Turn on Share my Internet connection with other devices. To connect on the other device, go to the Wi-Fi settings on that device, find your network name, select it, enter the password, and then connect.
Question

I did all of these steps and when it shows up on my other device, I enter the password in it takes a long time to connect and then it says I'm connected but no internet?

SoyokoAnis

Community Answer

Your local network or your cellular network has not given you a hotspot. Make sure your PC is connected to your phone.
Question

If there is no existing mobile hotspot option, then what can I do?

RapidGum

Community Answer

You could set up a mobile hotspot or try to connect to a local WiFi. On your phone, you can also set up data, allowing you to do these things without being connected.
Question

My device is saying, "You're sharing your connection over the 5 GHz network band. The network might not appear on devices that can only connect over the 2.4 GHz band." What should I do?

Community Answer

So basically, this is just a disclaimer that mentions youre sharing your connection over 5ghz instead of 2.4 ghz. Many Smart Home devices like a Google speaker can only function on a 2.4ghz frequency band. Windows, however, gives you the option to switch the band to 2.4ghz so that devices that only run on 2.4ghz can connect to your hotspot.
Question

Is this possible in every laptop?

R2_d2000

Top Answerer

This is possible to do in every computer that has the ability to connect to Wi-Fi.
Question

Why don't I see the mobile hotspot option?

R2_d2000

Top Answerer

Your computer may not have Wi-Fi capability. If your computer cannot connect to Wi-Fi, then it cannot create a hotspot.
Question

What if am using a cellular network instead of Wi-Fi?

R2_d2000

Top Answerer

This will still work. It allows you to share your cellular connection with other devices via Wi-Fi.

Warnings

Broadcasting your cellular data connection might cause your data to be used up if you're on a limited plan. Depending on your provider, you may need to pay extra for overages.

Thanks!
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