The computer is not distributing Wi-Fi: causes and step-by-step solutions

Are you trying to share internet from your computer to your phone or tablet, but the devices can't see the network or connect to it? This problem is common among many Windows users, especially after system updates or driver changes. In most cases, you can fix the issue yourself—without calling a technician or buying new equipment.

In this article we will discuss all possible reasonsWhy your computer isn't sharing Wi-Fi—from trivial configuration errors to hardware limitations. You'll learn how to check adapter drivers, set up a virtual access point via the command line, bypass antivirus blocking, and even share internet from a laptop without a router. These instructions are suitable for Windows 10 And Windows 11, as well as for most modern laptops (ASUS, Lenovo, HP, Acer and others).

Let us warn you right away: if your PC is connected to the Internet via PPPoE (for example, via a high-speed connection from a provider), Wi-Fi sharing may be blocked at the protocol level. In this case, additional configuration or alternative methods will be required—we'll discuss these below.

1. Check hardware capabilities: does your computer support Wi-Fi distribution?

Before you dig into the settings, make sure your device is physically capable of distributing Wi-FiNot all computers and laptops support the mode. SoftAP (software access point). Here's how to check:

• 🖥️ Laptops: Almost all models released after 2012 are equipped with Wi-Fi adapters with support Hosted Network. The exception is some budget devices with adapters. Realtek RTL8188EE or Broadcom 4313.
• 💻 Desktop PCs: A separate Wi-Fi adapter is required (the built-in Ethernet port is not sufficient!). Popular models: TP-Link TL-WN725N, ASUS USB-AC56, D-Link DWA-131.
• 🔧 Virtual machines: distributing Wi-Fi from the guest OS (for example, via VirtualBox or VMware) is not possible - the host system will need to be configured.

To find out for sure if your adapter supports access point mode:

1. Open Command line as administrator (click Win + X → Terminal (Administrator)).
2. Enter the command:

   netsh wlan show drivers

3. Find the line Hosted network support. If it is indicated there Yes — the adapter is suitable for distribution. If No — you will need to replace the driver or the device itself.

2. Diagnosing Wi-Fi adapter drivers: updating and resetting

In 60% of cases The Wi-Fi hotspot issue is related to outdated, corrupted, or incompatible drivers. Even if there's no exclamation mark in Device Manager, this doesn't guarantee the adapter is working properly in access point mode.

Here's how to check and update your driver:

• 🔄 Reset driver:
  1. Open device Manager (Win + X → device Manager).
  2. Expand the tab Network adapters.
  3. Find your Wi-Fi adapter (e.g. Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX200 or Qualcomm Atheros QCA9377).
  4. Right click → Properties → tab Driver → Roll back (if the button is active).

📥 Manual update:

1. Download the latest driver from the adapter manufacturer's website (do not use Update driver On Windows, this often installs a generic version!).
2. For adapters Intel look for drivers on intel.ru, For Realtek - on realtek.com.
3. Remove the old driver via device Manager (right click → Remove device), then install the downloaded one.

Make sure the adapter is enabled in the BIOS (for laptops) | Roll back the driver to a previous version | Download the driver from the official website, not through Windows Update | Restart the PC after installing the driver | Check for Hosted Network support using the netsh command

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Critical error: If the adapter disappears from the device list after updating the driver, this means Windows has installed an incompatible version. In this case, the only solution is to manually install the driver, specifying the path to the INF file through Device Manager.

3. Setting up Wi-Fi distribution via the command line (the most reliable method)

The standard way to distribute Wi-Fi is through Mobile hotspot It often crashes in Windows. It's much more reliable to use the command line. Follow these instructions:

1. Launch Command Prompt (Administrator).
2. Create a network named MyWiFi and password 12345678 (replace with your own):

   netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=MyWiFi key=12345678

3. Start the distribution:

   netsh wlan start hostednetwork

4. Allow Internet Sharing:
   1. Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings.
   2. Find the connection through which the PC receives the Internet (for example, Ethernet or Wireless network).
   3. Right click → Properties → tab Access.
   4. Check the box Allow other network users to share your Internet connection.
   5. Select from the drop-down list Local Area Connection* X (where X is the number that appears after the command netsh).

If after these steps the devices still do not connect, check:

• 🔌 Firewall: temporarily disable it or add an exception for svchost.exe.
• 🛡️ Antivirus: Kaspersky, Avast And ESET NOD32 Distribution is often blocked. Try disabling network protection for 5 minutes.
• 🔄 IP addresses: if devices receive IP of the type 169.254.x.x, then DHCP isn't working. Manually assign an IP address on the client device. 192.168.137.x (where x is any number from 2 to 254) with mask 255.255.255.0.

Via Mobile Hotspot in Windows|Via the command line (netsh)|Using third-party programs (MyPublicWiFi, Connectify)|Via a router in repeater mode|I don't share Wi-Fi from my PC-->

4. Alternative programs for distributing Wi-Fi (if standard methods don’t work)

If the command line and Mobile hotspot If your apps refuse to work, try specialized utilities. They often bypass Windows restrictions and offer additional features (such as traffic control or device blacklisting).

Before installing any program disable your antivirus - he can delete the utility, mistaking it for a potential threat (especially relevant for Baidu WiFi Hotspot). Also check that installations from unknown sources are allowed in Windows settings (Settings → Apps → Apps & features → Install apps from any source).

How to completely remove MyPublicWiFi?

The program can't be uninstalled using the standard "Programs and Features" method. To clean the system:

1. Delete the folder C:\Program Files\MyPublicWiFi.

2. Delete the registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MyPublicWiFi (through regedit).

3. Restart your PC.

5. Common mistakes and their solutions

Even after proper setup, Wi-Fi sharing may not work due to hidden errors. Here are the most common issues and how to fix them:

• 🚫 Error "Failed to start hosted network" (1068):

  Reason: service Autoconfig disabled. Solution:

  1. Click Win + R, enter services.msc.
  2. Find a service WLAN Autoconfig.
  3. Right click → Properties → Startup type: Automatic → Launch.
• 🔄 Devices connect, but the internet doesn't work:

  Reason: Incorrect sharing settings or IP conflict. Solution:

  1. Check that in Network and Control Center your primary connection has a status Network: Home or Work (Not Public).
  2. Open Command line and run:

     netsh int ip reset
     ipconfig /flushdns

📶 The network appears, but immediately disappears:

Cause: Channel conflict or interference from other networks. Solution:

1. Change the channel manually (for example, to 6 or 11 for 2.4 GHz):

   netsh wlan set hostednetwork channel=6

2. If you use 5 GHz, try channels 36, 40 or 48.

6. Sharing Wi-Fi without a router: alternative methods

If standard methods don't work, try these options:

• 🔗 Bridge mode (for PCs with two network cards):

  If you have a laptop with Ethernet And Wi-Fi, you can create a bridge:

  1. Open Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings.
  2. Select both connections (Ethernet And Wireless network) → right click → Setting up the bridge.
  3. After creating the bridge, set up distribution via Mobile hotspot.
• 📡 USB modem in access point mode:

  If you have 4G modem (For example, Huawei E3372 or ZTE MF823), connect it to your PC and use the built-in sharing function:

  1. Open the modem's web interface (usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.8.1).
  2. Find the section Wi-Fi or Hotspot.
  3. Turn on the access point and configure the network settings.

🖧 Bluetooth connection (for nearby devices):

If Wi-Fi doesn't work, you can share the Internet via Bluetooth (speed up to 3 Mbps):

1. Turn on Bluetooth on both devices.
2. On PC: Settings → Devices → Bluetooth → Add device.
3. After pairing, right-click on the device → Connect via → Access Point.

⚠️ Attention: If your internet service provider uses MAC address binding, Wi-Fi sharing via a bridge or USB modem may not work. In this case, you'll need to clone the MAC address of the primary device or contact your internet service provider's support.

7. Check compatibility with Windows 11 and new adapters

IN Windows 11 Microsoft made changes to the Wi-Fi protocol stack, causing issues with Wi-Fi sharing on some adapters. If you have a newer OS, follow these steps:

1. Check the driver version:

   wmic nic where "NetConnectionID like 'Wi-Fi%'" get Name, DriverVersion

   For Windows 11 version not lower than required 22.XX.X (For Intel) or 1030.XX.X (For Realtek).

2. Disable the feature Random Hardware Addresses (random hardware addresses):
   1. Go to Settings → Network and Internet → Wi-Fi.
   2. Disable the option Random hardware addresses.
3. Set network priority:

   netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow
   netsh wlan set hostednetwork priority=1

If after updating to Windows 11 the section disappeared Mobile hotspot:

1. Open Registry Editor (Win + R → regedit).
2. Follow the path:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\WcmSvc\Tethering

3. Create a parameter DWORD (32 bits) with a name RemoteStartupDisabled and meaning 0.
4. Restart your PC.

⚠️ Attention: on some laptops with adapters Killer Wireless (For example, Killer AX1650) Wi-Fi sharing in Windows 11 is unstable due to a conflict with the technology Killer Prioritization EngineThe solution is to disable this feature in the Killer control panel.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about sharing Wi-Fi from your computer

Is it possible to share Wi-Fi from a PC if the internet is connected via a USB modem?

Yes, but there are some nuances:

• If the modem supports the mode NDIS (most models Huawei And ZTE), you can distribute the Internet through Mobile hotspot or command line.
• If the modem is operating in mode RNDIS (for example, some models Yota), additional configuration will be required through ICS (Internet Sharing).
• Some operators (eg. Megaphone or Tele2) blocking data distribution on unlimited internet plans. In this case, changing TTL (for example, through the program TTL Editor).

Why is the internet speed when sharing from a PC lower than on the main device?

This is a normal phenomenon and is related to:

• Adapter limitations: Most built-in laptop Wi-Fi modules support a maximum of 150 Mbps in access point mode (even if according to the specification they are capable of 300 Mbps or more).
• CPU load: software distribution (SoftAP) consumes up to 10-15% CPU, which can slow down weak PCs.
• Interference: If there are many nearby networks on the same channel, the speed drops. Check the channel load with a program WiFi Analyzer (Android) or inSSIDer (PC).

Solution: Use an external Wi-Fi adapter with support 802.11ac (For example, ASUS USB-AC68) or connect the devices via cable through a USB-LAN adapter.

How to share Wi-Fi from a PC to Android if the phone won't connect?

Problems with connecting Android devices are usually related to:

• Incorrect password: Android is case-sensitive and sensitive to special characters. Use the password from 8 characters (numbers + Latin letters).
• Legacy security protocol: some phones (especially on Android 8 and below) do not support WPA3Switch to . WPA2-PSK:

  netsh wlan set hostednetwork key=your_password keyUsage=persistent

• Manufacturer's limitations: on phones Xiaomi, Huawei And Samsung The "Avoid poor networks" option may be enabled. Disable it in your Wi-Fi settings.

If your phone connects but the internet doesn't work, check your Android proxy settings: Settings → Wi-Fi → Advanced → Proxy (should be "None").

Is it possible to share Wi-Fi from computer to computer (for example, to a second PC)?

Yes, but there are limitations:

• Both computers must be on the same subnet (for example, 192.168.137.x).
• On the client PC, manually enter the IP address, gateway, and DNS (otherwise there will be no Internet access).
• For games or local applications (eg. 1C) you may need to disable the firewall on both devices.

Example settings for a second PC:

• IP address: 192.168.137.2
• Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
• Default gateway: 192.168.137.1
• DNS: 8.8.8.8 (Google) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare)

What should I do if the Internet connection on my primary PC disappears after distributing Wi-Fi?

This is a typical problem with route conflicts. Solutions:

• Disable distribution and run the following in the command line:

  route -f
  ipconfig /renew

• Check the priority of network connections:
  1. Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings.
  2. Click Alt → More → Advanced Options.
  3. Move your primary connection (eg. Ethernet) to the first place on the list.
• If you use PPPoE, disable the option Allow other users to manage sharing in the connection properties.