What to do If Windows Internet Connection Stops When Mobile Hotspot is Turned on

Some users recently reported that when they turn on the mobile hotspot to share internet with other devices on their Windows PC, the internet connection was interrupted. Oddly enough, the network of the device connected to the mobile hotspot is working fine, while the host device can only open web pages in their default browsers. This issue mostly occurs after a Windows update. In order to troubleshoot this problem, we prepared eight methods to fix losing access to internet when enabling mobile hotspot feature on Windows.

1. Restart the router

Restarting the router can fix many minor glitches. Press the power button to shut down the router, wait at least a minute and then turn it on again. If this simple method doesn't work, move to the following solutions.

2. Change network profile to private

Step 1: Press Windows+I to open Settings and select Update & Security>Troubleshoot. At the right pane, scroll down to locate Additional troubleshooters.

Step 2: Under Find and fix other problems list, select Network Adapter and click to expand it. Then click Run the troubleshooter.

3. Reset network in Windows PowerShell

Step 1: Press Windows+X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) in the context menu.

Step 2: Enter the below command lines one by one and press Enter after each:

netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
netsh advfirewall reset
ipconfig /flushdns
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew

These commands will reset Winsock and firewall as well as clear the IP and DNS cache.

4. Update network driver

Step 1: Press Windows+X and select Device Manager from the context menu.

Step 2: Expand the Network adapters, right-click on your currently connected driver and choose Update driver.

5. Update windows to the latest version

Step 1: Press Windows+I to open Settings and select Windows Update.

Step 2: Click on Check for updates. Install the available updates after the scan. Make sure you've installed every pending update and restart your PC after bringing the Windows up to date.

6. Uninstall KB5014699 update

If you installed the update KB5014699 (OS Builds 19042.1766, 19043.1766, and 19044.1766) recently, then this update is the root cause of your problem since Windows devices might be unable use the Wi-Fi hotspot feature after this update.

Step 1: Search control panel in the search bar and open it.

Step 2: Select Programs and then click on View installed updates under Programs and Features.

Step 3: Right-click the the KB5014699 update and select Uninstall.

7. Install the hotfix update version manually via MUC

If Windows update components are damaged in your computer, then you need to install the hotfix update from MUC.

Step 1: Head to the official website of Microsoft Update Catalog (MUC), type KB5014668 (for example) in the search box and press Enter.

Step 2: In the next page, choose the compatible version for your computer and click Download.

Step 3: Install it from Download folder.

8. Disable thrid-party firewall software

Step 1: Press Windows + I to open Settings and select Apps > Apps & features.

Step 2: Locate the third-party firewall in the right pane and click to expand it. Click on Uninstall to remove it.