How to Share Wi-Fi with a Xiaomi Redmi Note 7: All the Methods and Life Hacks

Laptops Xiaomi RedmiBook 7 (yes, that is the correct name of this model - not "Xiaomi Redmi Note 7", but RedmiBook 7) have become popular due to their combination of performance and affordability. But many users face the need to share the internet via Wi-Fi from this device—whether it's for a smartphone, tablet, or other gadget. Unlike smartphones, where the "hotspot" function is always at hand, laptops with Windows 10/11 This process requires additional settings.

In this article we will look at all possible ways to distribute Wi-Fi With RedmiBook 7: from standard Windows tools to third-party utilities. You'll learn how to set up a network without a router, which settings affect connection speed and stability, and what to do if devices won't connect. We'll pay special attention to A unique feature of the RedmiBook 7's Wi-Fi adapter drivers is that they often require manual configuration to work correctly in SoftAP mode..

1. Checking the hardware capabilities of RedmiBook 7

Before setting up Wi-Fi distribution, make sure that your laptop Xiaomi RedmiBook 7 technically capable of doing this. In 90% of cases, the problem lies not in the settings, but in network adapter drivers or its hardware limitations.

Here's what you need to check:

  • 🔍 Wi-Fi adapter model: Open device Manager (Win+X → Device Manager) and find the section Network adaptersLook for devices with names like Intel Wireless-AC, Qualcomm Atheros or Realtek RTL8xxx. IN RedmiBook 7 an adapter is usually installed Intel Wireless-AC 9560 or Realtek RTL8822CE.
  • 📡 Support for SoftAP mode: Not all adapters can work in access point mode. If the name contains AC (For example, AC 9560) — most likely, there is support. To check, enter the following in the command line: 
    netsh wlan show drivers

    Look for the line Hosted network support: yes.

  • 🔄 Driver version: Outdated drivers are the main cause of crashes. Update them via device Manager (right-click on the adapter → Update driver) or download from the website Intel/Realtek.
⚠️ Attention: In some modifications RedmiBook 7 (especially with processors AMD Ryzen 5 3500U) network adapter Realtek RTL8822CE Your device may not support 5 GHz Wi-Fi distribution. In this case, force the network to 2.4 GHz.

If the command output netsh wlan show drivers you see Hosted network support: no, then your adapter is not capable of distributing Wi-Fi at the software level. In this case, the following will help:

  • 🔧 Replacing the driver with a modified one (risky, may lead to unstable operation).
  • 🌐 Using an external USB Wi-Fi adapter with SoftAP support (for example, TP-Link TL-WN725N).
📊 What Wi-Fi adapter is installed in your RedmiBook 7?
Intel Wireless-AC
Realtek RTL8822CE
Qualcomm Atheros
Other/I don't know

2. Sharing Wi-Fi via the command line (universal method)

The most reliable way to share the Internet with RedmiBook 7 — Use built-in Windows commands. This method works even if the standard "Mobile Hotspot" interface refuses to activate.

Step-by-step instructions:

  1. Open command prompt as administrator (Win + X → Command Prompt (Administrator)).
  2. Enter the command to create the network: 
    netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid="MyRedmiHotspot" key="12345678" keyUsage=persistent

    Here:

    • ssid="MyRedmiHotspot" — the name of your network (can be changed).
    • key="12345678" — password (minimum 8 characters).
  • Start the network: 
    netsh wlan start hostednetwork
  • Allow Internet Sharing:
    • Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings.
    • Find your primary internet connection (eg. Ethernet or Wireless network), right-click → Properties → tab Access.
    • Check the box Allow other network users to share your Internet connection and select the created network from the list (Local Area Connection* X).

    ☑️ Check before starting distribution

    Completed: 0 / 4

    If after executing the commands the network does not appear in the list of available ones:

    • 🔄 Restart your laptop and repeat the steps.
    • 🛠️ Update your Wi-Fi adapter driver (see section 1).
    • 🚫 Check if your antivirus or Windows Firewall is blocking the distribution.
    ⚠️ Note: After restarting your laptop, Wi-Fi sharing via the command line is disabled. To re-enable it, simply repeat the command. netsh wlan start hostednetworkTo automatically start when you turn on your laptop, create .bat-file with this command and add it to startup.

    3. Sharing via Mobile Hotspot (Windows 10/11)

    Modern versions of Windows have a built-in tool Mobile hotspot, which simplifies Wi-Fi distribution. However, RedmiBook 7 It may work unstably due to the peculiarities of the drivers.

    How to set up:

    1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile Hotspot.
    2. In the section Internet connection sharing select the source (usually Ethernet or Wi-Fi).
    3. Click Change and ask:
      • 📛 Network name (without spaces and Cyrillic letters).
      • 🔐 Password (minimum 8 characters).
      • 📶 Range: If the connected devices do not see the network, try changing from 5 GHz on 2.4 GHz.
  • Turn on the switch Allow other devices to use my internet connection.

    • Common problems and solutions:

    Problem Cause Solution
    The Mobile Hotspot button is inactive. There is no SoftAP support in the driver. Update your driver or use the command line method
    The devices connect, but the internet doesn't work. The connection source is not selected correctly. Make sure that the active connection (Ethernet/Wi-Fi) is selected in the hotspot settings.
    Network disappears after sleep/hibernation Power saving turns off the adapter Disable power saving for your Wi-Fi adapter in Device Manager.
    Low distribution speed 2.4 GHz channel congestion Switch to 5 GHz (if your adapter supports it) or change the channel manually

    4. Using third-party programs to distribute Wi-Fi

    If standard methods don't work, specialized utilities can come to the rescue. They are especially useful for RedmiBook 7, as they allow you to bypass driver restrictions and offer additional features (for example, traffic control or device blacklisting).

    Top 3 Wi-Fi Sharing Apps:

    • 🌟 MyPublicWiFi:
      • Simple interface, support WPA2-PSK.
      • You can limit the speed for connected devices.
      • Works even with problematic drivers Realtek.
    • 🛡️ Connectify Hotspot:
      • The paid version supports distribution via 3G/4G-modem.
      • There is a built-in firewall to block unwanted connections.
    • 🔧 Virtual Router Plus:
      • Free and lightweight utility.
      • Supports Russian language.
      • May conflict with some antivirus programs.

    Instructions for MyPublicWiFi (recommended for RedmiBook 7):

    1. Download the program from the official website and install it.
    2. Run as administrator.
    3. In the field Network Name (SSID) Enter the network name.
    4. IN Network Key - password.
    5. IN Internet Sharing select your primary connection (eg Ethernet).
    6. Click Set up and Start Hotspot.
    How to Fix the "Failed to Start Hosted Network" Error in MyPublicWiFi

    This error occurs due to a conflict with the Wi-Fi driver. Solution:

    1. Open Device Manager.

    2. Find your Wi-Fi adapter, right-click → Properties → Driver → Roll Back Driver (if the button is active).

    3. If rolling back is not possible, uninstall the driver and install the version from the manufacturer's website (not via Windows Update!).

    Advantages of third-party programs:

    • 📊 Traffic statistics: You can see how much data each device consumes.
    • 🔒 Additional protection: You can block connections from unknown gadgets.
    • ⚡ Flexible settings: channel selection, encryption, speed limitation.

    5. Optimizing distribution speed and stability

    Even if you have successfully set up Wi-Fi distribution on RedmiBook 7, your speed may be slow and your connection may be unstable. Here's how to fix it:

    Windows settings:

    • 📶 Changing the Wi-Fi channel:
      • By default, Windows selects a channel automatically, but it may be congested.
      • Check channel load using the program WiFi Analyzer (Android) or inSSIDer (Windows).
      • Change the channel manually via the command line: 
        netsh wlan set hostednetwork channel=6

        (Where 6 — free channel number).

    • 🔄 Disabling power saving for Wi-Fi:
      • Open Device Manager → Network Adapters.
      • Right-click on your Wi-Fi adapter → Properties → Power Management.
      • Uncheck the box Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

    Hardware recommendations:

    • 📍 Laptop location: Don't put it RedmiBook 7 Place the receiver in enclosed spaces (like a desk drawer)—this will degrade the signal. Ideally, place it on a flat surface 0.5–1 m above the floor.
    • 🔋 NutritionWhen distributing Wi-Fi, the laptop must be connected to the network. When on battery, Windows may limit the adapter's performance.
    • 🛡️ Protection against interference: Keep your laptop away from microwaves, wireless mice, and other devices that operate at 2.4 GHz.

    6. Solving common problems

    Even after proper configuration, Wi-Fi distribution on RedmiBook 7 may malfunction. Let's look at common errors and their solutions:

    "Failed to start hosted network" (Error 1068 or 1075):

    • 🔧 Reinstall your Wi-Fi driver:
      1. Uninstall the current driver via device Manager.
      2. Download the latest version from the website Intel (for adapters Intel) or Realtek.
      3. Install the driver manually by selecting the folder with the unpacked files.
  • 🛠️ Check Windows services:
    • Open services.msc (Win + R → enter services.msc).
    • Find services Automatic WLAN configuration And WLAN Automatic Configuration Service - they must be launched.
    • If they are disabled, enable them and set the startup type Automatically.

    • Devices connect, but the internet doesn't work:

    • 🔍 Check public access:
      • Open Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings.
      • Right click on the main connection (for example, Ethernet) → Properties → Access.
      • Make sure the correct connection is selected for sharing (it should be Local Area Connection* X).
    • 🔄 Reset TCP/IP settings: 
      netsh int ip reset

      netsh winsock reset

      Once completed, restart your laptop.

    Network disappears after sleep/hibernation:

    • ⚡ Disable sleep mode for your Wi-Fi adapter:
      1. Open Device Manager → Network Adapters.
      2. Right-click on the Wi-Fi adapter → Properties → Power Management.
      3. Uncheck the box Allow this device to wake the computer from standby.
  • 🔄 Create a script to automatically restart the network:
    • Create a file restart_wifi.bat with the following contents: 
      @echo off

      netsh wlan stop hostednetwork
      

      timeout /t 2
      

      netsh wlan start hostednetwork

    • Add it to Task Scheduler to be executed when exiting sleep.
    • ⚠️ Important: If Wi-Fi sharing stops working after updating Windows, check your driver version. Windows often automatically installs a "generic" driver from Microsoft, which doesn't support SoftAP mode. Manually install the driver from the adapter manufacturer.

    7. Alternative methods of distributing the Internet

    If you distribute Wi-Fi with RedmiBook 7 If this doesn't work, consider alternative options:

    1. Bluetooth sharing (for nearby devices):

    • 📱 Suitable for connecting 1-2 devices (e.g. smartphone or tablet).
    • 🔗 The speed is limited to ~3 Mbps, but it doesn’t require Wi-Fi settings.
    • 🛠️ How to set up:
      1. Open Settings → Devices → Bluetooth & other devices.
      2. Turn on Bluetooth and make your laptop discoverable.
      3. On the device you are connecting to, find RedmiBook 7 in the list of available ones and connect.
      4. In the Bluetooth settings on your laptop, allow the use of an Internet connection.

    2. Using a USB cable (Reverse Tethering):

    • ⚡ Compatible with Android smartphones. Speed ​​is higher than Bluetooth, but requires a USB cable.
    • 🛠️ Instructions:
      1. Connect your smartphone to your laptop via USB.
      2. Turn on your smartphone USB debugging (Settings → For developers).
      3. Install the program on your laptop ClockworkMod Tether or ReverseTethering NoRoot.
      4. Run the program and follow the instructions.

    3. External Wi-Fi adapter:

    • 📡 If the adapter is built-in RedmiBook 7 does not support sharing, buy an external USB adapter that does support it SoftAP (For example, TP-Link TL-WN725N or ASUS USB-AC53 Nano).
    • 💰 Cost: from 500 to 1500 rubles.
    • ✅ Advantages:
      • More stable signal.
      • Support for modern standards Wi-Fi 5/6.
      • Fewer problems with drivers.

    FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Wi-Fi sharing on the RedmiBook 7

    Is it possible to share Wi-Fi from RedmiBook 7 without connecting to a router?

    Yes, but this requires the laptop to be connected to the internet via another method: an Ethernet cable, a USB modem, or mobile data (if the laptop has a SIM card or an external 4G modem). Manually distributing data "out of thin air" (for example, by connecting to one Wi-Fi network and distributing it to another) is, in most cases, impossible due to driver limitations.

    Why is the Wi-Fi speed on RedmiBook 7 slower than the internet speed?

    This is normal because:

    • The laptop's Wi-Fi adapter divides the bandwidth between receiving and transmitting data.
    • In access point mode, some resources are spent on processing connected devices.
    • If the laptop is connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi (and not via cable), the distribution speed will be half as slow due to the limitations of the standard 802.11.

      • To minimize losses:

      • Connect your laptop to the Internet via Ethernet.
      • Use range 5 GHz (if the adapter supports it).
      • Limit the number of connected devices (optimally no more than 5).
    How do I change the password for a shared network without restarting it?

    If you used the command line, simply run the command again with the new password: 

    netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid="MyRedmiHotspot" key="new_password" keyUsage=persistent

    Then restart the network:

    netsh wlan stop hostednetwork

    netsh wlan start hostednetwork

    For Windows Mobile Hotspot, just click Change and enter a new password.

    Is it possible to share Wi-Fi from RedmiBook 7 on Linux?

    Yes, but the process is different from Windows. Most distributions (Ubuntu, Mint, etc.) use a utility for this. hostapd. Main steps:

    1. Install hostapd And dnsmasq: 
      sudo apt install hostapd dnsmasq
    2. Set up configuration files /etc/hostapd/hostapd.conf And /etc/dnsmasq.conf.
    3. Start the access point: 
      sudo systemctl start hostapd

      sudo systemctl start dnsmasq

      4. Detailed instructions for your distribution can be found on the forums (for example, Ask Ubuntu).

    Why don't some devices see the shared network?

    Reasons and solutions:

    • 📶 Incompatible range: If the network is distributed on 5 GHz, and the device only supports 2.4 GHz (for example, older smartphones or smartwatches), change the range in the settings.
    • 🔐 Hidden network (SSID): If you hide the network name, devices will have to enter it manually.
    • 🛡️ MAC address filtering: Some programs (eg. Connectify) allow you to restrict access by MAC address. Check the settings.
    • 🔄 Channel conflict: If there are many networks nearby on the same channel, try changing the channel manually (see section 5).

    📖 Read also

    How to create a WiFi network on an Android phone: a complete guide A detailed guide on how to create a WiFi hotspot on Android. Setting up sharing, hiding the SSID, and choosing a frequency How to share Wi-Fi from an Honor 9 to a laptop: step-by-step instructions A detailed guide on setting up an access point on the Honor 9 to share the Internet with a laptop. Method How to share WiFi from your phone to a Windows 7 laptop: instructions A detailed guide on how to connect your laptop to WiFi from your phone. Setting up Android and iOS for sharing How to Use Your Phone as a Wi-Fi Receiver: 5 Ways to Share Your Internet Step-by-step instructions on how to turn your Android or iPhone smartphone into a Wi-Fi adapter for your PC, TV, or computer. How to turn on a Yota Wi-Fi modem: step-by-step instructions Complete instructions for activating the Yota Wi-Fi modem. Setting up a USB device, installing drivers, and logging in WiFi hotspot: what it is and how to set up an access point A complete guide to Wi-Fi hotspots: how to create an access point on a smartphone, router, or PC. Settings without