How to Share Internet from a Laptop via Wi-Fi on Windows 11

Need to connect other devices to the Internet using your Windows 11 laptop? This can be handy if you don’t have a router or are in a location where only a wired Internet connection is available. In this guide, we’ll show you how to set up a Wi-Fi hotspot on your laptop and share Internet access with other devices.

Preparation: What You Need to Share Internet

To share Internet from your laptop, you’ll need:

  • A laptop running Windows 11 with a built-in Wi-Fi module.
  • An active Internet connection (either wired or through a mobile modem).
  • A few minutes of your time — setup won’t take longer than 5 minutes.

Step 1: Enable Mobile Hotspot Feature

  1. Click on “Start” and go to “Settings” (or press Win + I).
  2. Navigate to “Network & Internet” settings.
  3. Select “Mobile Hotspot”.
  4. Toggle the switch to “Share my Internet connection with other devices”.
  5. Select the Internet source — it could be an Ethernet or mobile network connection.

Step 2: Set Up Wi-Fi Network Name and Password

By default, Windows will generate a network name and password, but you can change them:

  1. In the “Mobile Hotspot” section, click the “Edit” button.
  2. Enter a new network name and create a secure password (recommended: at least 8 characters).
  3. Click “Save”.

Step 3: Connect Other Devices to Your Network

Your mobile hotspot is now active, and other devices can connect to it:

  1. On the device you want to connect (phone, tablet, or another laptop), open Wi-Fi settings.
  2. Find the network name you created and select it.
  3. Enter the password and tap “Connect”.

Step 4: Check Connected Devices

You can view the list of devices connected to your network:

  1. Go back to the “Mobile Hotspot” section in Windows Settings.
  2. You will see a list of connected devices along with their IP addresses.

Common Issues and Solutions

  • Issue: Devices cannot connect to the Wi-Fi network.
    Solution: Ensure the mobile hotspot is enabled and check if the password is correct.
  • Issue: Internet is not shared through the hotspot.
    Solution: Verify the source of the Internet connection. You may need to restart the network adapter or reboot your laptop.
  • Issue: Slow Internet speed.
    Solution: Try disconnecting other devices or use a wired connection for better performance.