How to fix
“We can’t set up mobile hotspot” error
on Windows

I was trying to set up a mobile hotspot on my PC, but for some reason, I instead received an error "We can't setup mobile hotspot." I tried restarting both devices but this didn't help. What should I do next?

Mobile hotspots allow individuals to share their internet connection from portable devices with other devices, a useful feature when traditional Wi-Fi is unavailable. However, when setting up a mobile hotspot with a Windows laptop or PC, users might encounter the error "We can't set up mobile hotspot."

Often, this issue is encountered due to incorrect network adapter settings in the Windows device. Network adapters facilitate the connection between a computer and the network, and if these settings are incorrect, an "We can't set up mobile hotspot" error might come up.

Outdated or corrupt drivers, the software components that enable communication between the operating system and hardware, are also common culprits. Additionally, the Windows system might have corrupted files, which can affect the mobile hotspot functionality.

To resolve the "We can't set up mobile hotspot" error, you can run the built-in network troubleshooter in Windows can help identify and fix common network issues. Ensure Bluetooth is disabled on the Windows system, as it sometimes can interfere with mobile hotspot setup. If the issue is related to drivers, then updating or reinstalling network drivers through the Device Manager can resolve this.

For a simpler solution, a PC repair tool like [d1] can automatically diagnose and fix various Windows issues, potentially resolving the mobile hotspot error without manual troubleshooting.

Fix 1. Run network troubleshooter

The network troubleshooter in Windows is designed to automatically find and fix issues with network connections. This utility can diagnose and resolve problems related to network adapters, which are essential for setting up a mobile hotspot.

• Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
• Go to Network & Internet section.
• Here, locate the Advanced network settings section.
• Click the Network troubleshooter to run it.
• Wait for the results to show up and apply the suggested fixes.

Fix 2. Install all Windows updates

Windows updates often include fixes for known bugs and improvements for system stability. Ensuring that your system is up-to-date can resolve underlying issues affecting the mobile hotspot feature.

• Type Updates in Windows search and press Enter.
• Here, click Check for updates.
• Wait till Windows downloads and installs all the files.
• If optional updates are available, install them as well.
• Reboot your device.

Fix 3. Disable Bluetooth connection on Windows

Sometimes, disabling Bluetooth can help resolve conflicts with the mobile hotspot setup, as both functions can interfere with each other.

• Go to the Start menu.
• Click on Settings.
• Choose Devices and then Bluetooth & other devices.
• Turn off Bluetooth by toggling the Bluetooth switch to Off.

Fix 4. Update network adapter drivers

Outdated or corrupt network adapter drivers can cause issues with internet connectivity, including the mobile hotspot function. Updating these drivers can often resolve these problems. For a quicker method, you can always rely on an automatic driver updater such as [rev id="DriverFix"].

• Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
• Expand the Network adapters section.
• Right-click on your network adapter and select Update driver.
• Choose Search automatically for drivers and follow the prompts.
• Restart your device as necessary.

Fix 5. Reinstall network drivers

Reinstalling network drivers can reset the network settings to their default state, which can help in resolving mobile hotspot issues.

• Open Device Manager once again.
• Expand the Network adapters section.
• Right-click on your network adapter and select Uninstall.
• Mark the Delete the driver software for this device checkbox.
• Click Uninstall and then reboot your system.
• Open Device Manager and click Scan for hardware changes button - Windows should reinstall the default driver.

Fix 6. Reset your internet connection

Resetting your internet connection can help in refreshing the network settings and resolving issues with the mobile hotspot.

• Type cmd in Windows search.
• Right-click on the Command Prompt result and select Run as administrator.
• Copy and paste each of the following commands, pressing Enter every time:
  ipconfig /flushdns
  ipconfig /registerdns
  ipconfig /release
  ipconfig /renew
  netsh winsock reset
• Restart your device.