To turn on mobile hotspot in Windows 10, select Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile hotspot. Choose the connection to share under Share my Internet connection from, then turn on Share my Internet connection with other devices. Other devices connect using the network name and password shown on that page.
Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 26, 2026.
You can share a Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular data connection. If you share cellular data, it counts against your data plan.
Turn on mobile hotspot
- Select Start > Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile hotspot.
- Under Share my Internet connection from, choose the connection you want to share.
- Turn on Share my Internet connection with other devices.
You can also turn it on or off from the Mobile hotspot tile in the action center (Windows logo key + A).
Change the name and password
- On the Mobile hotspot page, select Edit.
- Type a new Network name and a Network password of at least 8 characters.
- Select Save.
Connect another device
On the phone, tablet, or other PC, open its Wi-Fi settings, select your hotspot’s name, and enter the password. The Mobile hotspot page shows how many devices are connected, up to 8.
Under Share my Internet connection over, you can pick Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Wi-Fi is faster and is the default. Bluetooth is slower but can help when a device has trouble with the Wi-Fi hotspot.
- Select Bluetooth under Share my Internet connection over.
- Pair the other device with your PC in Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices.
- On the other device, use its Bluetooth settings to connect to your PC for internet access.
See who’s connected and turn it off
- The Mobile hotspot page lists each connected device with its name, IP address and physical address.
- To stop sharing, turn off Share my Internet connection with other devices, or select the Mobile hotspot tile in the action center.
- If you don’t recognize a device, change the network password. Everyone will need the new one to reconnect.
If the hotspot won’t turn on
- Make sure the PC itself is online first.
- Turn off Airplane mode in Settings > Network & Internet.
- If you share a Wi-Fi connection, try setting Network band to 2.4 GHz under Edit.
- Update the Wi-Fi driver, then restart the PC.
- Some VPN apps block sharing. Turn the VPN off and try again.
- Devices connect but have no internet: check that the right connection is chosen under Share my Internet connection from, then turn the hotspot off and on again.
- A message says to turn on Wi-Fi: the PC’s Wi-Fi has to be on to host the hotspot, even when you’re sharing an Ethernet connection.
Frequently asked questions
Does the hotspot turn itself off?
Yes. By default, Windows turns it off when no devices are connected for a few minutes. Turn off Power saving on the Mobile hotspot page to keep it on.
How do I connect my PC to my phone’s hotspot instead?
Turn on the hotspot on your phone, then connect to it like any Wi-Fi network. See how to turn on Wi-Fi in Windows 10.
Why is the shared internet slow?
The hotspot shares the PC’s own speed. See how to increase internet speed in Windows 10.
Is my hotspot secure?
Yes, as long as you use a strong password. Other people can’t join without it. Avoid sharing the password widely, and change it if you think someone else has it.
Can I keep the hotspot on all the time?
Yes. Turn off Power saving on the Mobile hotspot page. Keep in mind it uses more battery on a laptop, and shared cellular data counts against your plan.
If your PC shares a phone’s data plan, set the connection as metered to cut background data use.
If your laptop has a SIM slot, see how to use a SIM card in a Windows 10 laptop.
Microsoft’s guide is Use your Windows device as a mobile hotspot. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
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