The computer doesn't see the phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot: causes and solutions

You turned on modem mode on a smartphone, but the computer stubbornly doesn't see the access point I created—is this a familiar situation? The problem occurs on both Windows 10/11, and on macOS/Linux, and the culprit could be either phone settings or PC network adapter drivers. In 70% of cases, the problem can be resolved within 5 minutes, but sometimes a more in-depth diagnosis is required.

In this article we will look at all possible reasons - from a banal disabled Wi-Fi on a PC to IP address conflicts and blocking by an antivirusYou will receive checklists for Android (including Samsung, Xiaomi, Honor) And iPhone, as well as instructions for setting up Windows. We'll pay special attention to cases where the access point visible, but not connected - this is a separate category of problems with their own solutions.

If you've already tried restarting your devices and it didn't help, skip the first section and move on to diagnosing your drivers or checking your network settings. For your convenience, we've categorized the solutions by difficulty level, from basic to advanced.

1. Basic checks: what to do first

Before digging deeper into the settings, make sure the problem isn't just surface-level. These steps take no more than a minute but often resolve the issue:

• 📱 Restart both devices — phone and computer. This will clear temporary glitches in the network adapters.
• 🔄 Turn on/off the modem mode on the phone 2-3 times in a row. On Android this is done in Settings → Connections → Hotspot & Tethering.
• 🔍 Check network visibility On other devices (tablet, second phone). If they also don't see the dot, the problem is with the phone.
• 🔌 Make sure Wi-Fi is enabled on your PC.On . Windows This can be done through Control Panel → Network and Internet → Network and Sharing Center or keys Fn + F2/F12 (depending on the laptop model).

If after these steps the computer still does not see the access point, proceed to the next section. Please note: iPhone The modem mode may be blocked by the operator - we will talk about this separately.

2. Phone settings: why the access point is not created

Most often, the problem lies in incorrect internet distribution settings on the smartphone itself. Let's look at typical errors for Android And iOS separately.

For Android (Samsung, Xiaomi, Honor, Google Pixel, etc.)

On Android The modem mode may not work due to:

• 🚫 Disabled data transmissionThe hotspot uses mobile internet, so make sure it is active (icon 4G/5G in the status bar).
• 🔒 Operator blockingSome plans (for example, "For Smartphone" from MTS) limit internet tethering. Check your plan's terms in your personal account.
• 📶 Incorrect Wi-Fi range. In the access point settings (Settings → Connections → Access Point) select 2.4 GHz instead of 5 GHz — the latter is worse at passing through walls and may not be supported by older PC adapters.
• 🔄 Conflict with VPN or power saving. Disable VPN applications (for example, NordVPN or 1.1.1.1) and add the modem mode to the battery optimization exceptions.

On phones Xiaomi And Redmi additionally check the parameter Fast data transfer in the access point settings - disabling it sometimes helps. Samsung may interfere with the function Smart Wi-Fi (find it through the search in the settings).

How to check if your carrier is blocking your account?

Log in to your operator's account (MTS, Beeline, Megafon, Tele2) and find the "Services" or "Price" section. Look for mentions of "data sharing" or "modem mode." If it says "Prohibited" or "Additional fee," contact support for activation.

For iPhone (iOS)

On iPhone The problem usually comes down to three reasons:

1. Modem mode is disabled in the settings.Go to . Settings → Tethering and turn on the slider Allow others.
2. Operator limitationOn . iPhone With Russian SIM cards (especially MTS and Beeline), internet tethering is often blocked. The solution is to call support and ask them to activate the service (sometimes for free).
3. iOS crashGo to . Settings → General → Reset → Reset network settingsThis will delete all saved Wi-Fi networks, but often solves the problem.

If after resetting the network the access point is still not created, try update iOS to the latest version or reboot iPhone in forced mode (hold down Volume Up → Volume Down → Side Button before the Apple logo appeared).

3. Computer-side problems: drivers and network settings

If your phone is sharing the internet (this is visible by the icon in the status bar), but your computer can't see the network, your PC settings are to blame. Let's start with the most common: outdated or faulty Wi-Fi adapter drivers.

Updating network adapter drivers

On Windows 10/11 Drivers may fail after system updates or conflict with other programs. To update them:

1. Click Win + X and select device Manager.
2. Expand the branch Network adapters.
3. Find your Wi-Fi adapter (e.g. Intel Wi-Fi 6 or Qualcomm Atheros) and right-click on it → Update driver → Automatic search.
4. If Windows says the driver is up to date, download it manually from the laptop manufacturer's website (for example, support.lenovo.com For Lenovo or support.hp.com For HP).

After updating the driver restart your computer and check the access point's visibility. If the adapter is displayed with an exclamation mark, try uninstalling it from Device Manager and restarting your PC (the driver will install automatically).

Checking Windows Services

Sometimes disabled system services are to blame. Start them manually:

1. Click Win + R, enter services.msc and press Enter.
2. Find services:
   • WLAN Automatic Configuration Service (should be In progress)
   • Network List Service
   • Windows Firewall (yes, it also affects the connection!)

If the service is stopped, right-click on it → Launch.

If after these steps the access point appears but does not connect, check the settings IP protocol (more on this in the next section).

4. IP address conflicts and network settings

If the computer sees the access point, but when connecting it says "Unable to connect to the network" or "No internet access", the problem lies in IP settingsThis happens when the phone and PC cannot agree on network parameters.

Manual IP configuration on a computer

By default, devices should obtain an IP automatically (via DHCP), but this mechanism sometimes fails. Configure the IP manually:

1. Click Win + R, enter ncpa.cpl and press Enter.
2. Find your Wi-Fi adapter, right-click → Properties.
3. Select Internet Protocol version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and press Properties.
4. Set the switch to Use the following IP address and enter:
   • IP address: 192.168.43.100 (the last digit can be any number from 2 to 254)
   • Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
   • Main gateway: 192.168.43.1 (this is the IP of the phone in modem mode)
   • DNS server: 8.8.8.8 (Google DNS) or 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare)

Save your settings and try connecting again.

If the connection was successful, but the Internet is not working, check the settings DNS on the phone (more on this below).

Resetting network settings on a PC

If manual IP configuration doesn't help, reset all Windows network settings to factory defaults:

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Status → Network reset.
2. Click Reset now and confirm the action.
3. After restarting your computer, try connecting to the access point again.

This method deletes all saved Wi-Fi networks and returns the adapter settings to the state they were in after installing Windows. After the reset, you'll have to re-enter passwords for all wireless networks.

5. Blocking by antivirus or firewall

Security programs often perceive internet sharing from a phone as a potential threat and block the connection. This applies to both built-in Windows Firewall, as well as third-party antiviruses.

Checking Windows Firewall

To make sure your firewall isn't interfering with your connection:

1. Open Control Panel → Windows Firewall → Allow an app to interact with the app.
2. Find in the list Network discovery and make sure that the private networks box is checked Allow.
3. If this does not help, temporarily disable the firewall completely (there is a button in the same menu Enabling and disabling Windows Firewall) and try connecting again.

If the connection works after disabling the firewall, add the Internet sharing rule to the exceptions. To do this:

1. In the firewall, go to Advanced Settings → Inbound Rules.
2. Create a new port rule TCP 80 And UDP 53 (these are ports for HTTP and DNS).

Third-party antiviruses (Kaspersky, Avast, ESET, etc.)

Antivirus programs block internet access more often than Windows Firewall. To check their impact:

• 🛡️ Temporarily disable protection in the antivirus (usually this is done through the tray icon by right-clicking).
• 🔧 Add the network to exceptions. IN Kaspersky this is done in the section Settings → Advanced → Networks.
• 🔄 Check the "Network Control" module. IN Avast It may block new connections - disable it for 10 minutes to test.

If the connection works after disabling the antivirus, but you don’t want to leave your PC unprotected, add the phone’s IP address (192.168.43.1) to the antivirus whitelist.

6. Problems with DNS and phone settings

If the computer connects to the access point, but the Internet does not work (an error appears in the browser "DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NO_INTERNET"), the settings are to blame DNS or mobile network settings on your phone.

Changing DNS on your phone

By default, your phone uses your mobile operator's DNS, which may be overloaded or blocked. To change it:

On Android:

1. Go to Settings → Connections → Mobile network → Access point names (APN).
2. Select your SIM card and find the fields DNS 1 And DNS 2.
3. Enter:
   • DNS 1: 8.8.8.8 (Google)
   • DNS 2: 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare)

Save the settings and reboot the modem mode.

On iPhone:

1. Go to Settings → Wi-Fi (yes, even for mobile network!).
2. Tap the blue icon i next to your SIM card.
3. In the section DNS add 8.8.8.8, 1.1.1.1.

Reset network settings on your phone

If changing the DNS doesn't help, reset all network settings on your phone:

On Android:

1. Settings → System → Reset → Reset Wi-Fi, mobile network, and Bluetooth settings.

On iPhone:

1. Settings → General → Transfer or reset iPhone → Reset → Reset Network Settings.

After the reset, you will have to reconnect to all Wi-Fi networks, but this often solves problems with internet distribution.

What should I do if the access point still doesn't work after resetting the network?

Try creating an access point with a different name (SSID) and password. Sometimes old settings are cached by devices and cause conflicts. Also, check if "Data Saver" mode is enabled on your phone—it may be limiting your data transfer.

7. Hardware problems and alternative connection methods

If none of the previous methods worked, the problem may lie in hardware incompatibility or damage to network equipment. Let's consider possible scenarios.

Checking your computer's Wi-Fi adapter

If the computer doesn't see not a single one Wi-Fi network (including home router) - adapter issue. Run diagnostics:

• 🔧 Check the physical connectionOn a laptop, make sure Wi-Fi isn't disabled using the hardware button. On a desktop, check that the USB adapter is securely seated.
• 💡 Connect the adapter to a different portUSB 3.0 (blue connectors) sometimes conflict with Wi-Fi adapters—try USB 2.0 (black).
• 🔄 Test the adapter on another deviceIf it doesn't work there either, the adapter is faulty.

If the adapter is external (for example, TP-Link TL-WN722N), try connecting it via a USB hub with external power - sometimes the port does not have enough power.

Alternative ways to distribute Internet

If Wi-Fi still doesn't work, try other connection methods:

To connect via USB modem:

1. Connect your phone to the PC using a cable.
2. On Android: turn on USB modem V Settings → Connections → Hotspot & Tethering.
3. On iPhone: V Settings → Tethering turn on USB only.

This method is usually more stable than Wi-Fi and does not require additional settings.

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

Why does the computer see the access point but not connect?

This could be an IP address conflict or authentication issue. Try:

1. Change the access point password (sometimes the characters in the password cause problems).
2. Manually enter the IP address on the computer 192.168.43.100 with a mask 255.255.255.0 and a gateway 192.168.43.1.
3. Disable the function on your phone WPS (if it is in the access point settings).

Is it possible to share Wi-Fi from a phone without a password?

Technically yes, but it's not safe. Android You can create an open network in the access point settings by unchecking the box Password protection. However:

• Anyone within a 10-20 meter radius will be able to connect to your network.
• The operator can block distribution without a password (especially on iPhone).
• Internet speed will be lower due to the large number of connections.

It is better to use a password of 8+ characters with numbers and letters.

How to increase Wi-Fi speed from your phone?

Speed ​​depends on:

• 📶 Operator tariff (check the speed limit in your personal account).
• 📱 Phone models (flagships like Samsung Galaxy S23 or iPhone 15 (they are distributed faster than budget models).
• 🖥️ PC Wi-Fi adapter (adapters Wi-Fi 6 work faster Wi-Fi 4).

To speed up your connection:

1. Switch the access point to a range 5 GHz (if your PC supports it).
2. Disable background apps on your phone that consume data (such as app updates or cloud backups).
3. Use a USB modem instead of Wi-Fi - it's usually faster and more stable.

Why does internet sharing disconnect after 5-10 minutes?

This is a typical problem. Android-phones related to energy saving. Solutions:

1. Add an application Settings (or Modem mode) in battery optimization exceptions.
2. Disable the adaptive battery: Settings → Device Care → Battery → Adaptive Battery.
3. On Xiaomi/Redmi turn it off Background restriction for mobile data in the SIM card settings.
4. If all else fails, connect your phone to a charger—some models turn off the modem when the battery level drops below 20%.

Is it possible to share Wi-Fi from a phone to a TV?

Yes, but there are some nuances:

• 📺 Smart TV (Samsung, LG, Sony) connect to the access point like regular devices. Use the range 2.4 GHz - Not all TVs support it 5 GHz.
• 🎮 Prefixes (Apple TV, Xiaomi Mi Box) also support connection, but may require a static IP.
• ⚠️ DRM issues: some streaming services (eg. Netflix or Kinopoisk) block playback when connected via a modem. The solution is to use a USB modem or router.

⚠️ Please note: On some plans, operators artificially limit internet speed (for example, to 64 kbps). This is not a phone or PC issue—check the terms in your account or with support.

⚠️ Warning: If you use iPhone With a Russian SIM card, internet tethering may be blocked by your carrier even if you have an active plan. The solution is to call support and ask them to activate the "Modem" service (sometimes this is free, sometimes it requires changing your plan).