Mobile Hotspot loses internet connection

Hi,

Asus GL702VI laptop running Windows 10 version 21H1. Internal network adapter is an Intel Dual Band Wireless-AC 8265. External network adapter is a USB Alfa AWUS036ACH paired with 2 x Alfa 9 dbi antennas. I'm currently working remotely and having to use a cousin's internet connection from the house beside us. Since the signal is weak, I had to attach the 2 larger antennas for the Alfa to reliably connect. Connection is decent enough for most uses but can be spotty throughout the day. Since my Pixel 5 running Android 12 can't even see that network, I have to use the Mobile Hotspot feature in Windows to provide Internet to my phone. Setup is easy, it starts fine, my phone connects, and the internet works.

The problem I am having is at seemingly random times, the hotspot stops providing internet for my phone until I stop and restart the hotspot. The phone says I am connected but can't provide internet. I can connect and disconnect with my phone just fine but no internet, yet the internet works fine for the laptop. The Power Saving option for the hotspot is Off. The Power options for the network adapters are set to never turn off the device. Everything just works until the internet stops working.

I read in another article that there are no logs to review for the hotspot. I also read another article where the poster says the hotspot becomes unusable if you have a spotty connection. The poster said when Windows loses the connection then the hotspot stops serving internet, and doesn't resume when Windows reconnects to the internet.

I have tried upgrading drivers for both adapters. Windows is up to date. With no logs to review, I am at a loss at how to diagnose and fix this problem?

Hi Chrifister. I'm Greg, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, specializing in Installation, Performance, Troubleshooting and Activation, here to help you.

Try these fixes for Windows 10 mobile hotspot not working:

https://www.businessinsider.com/why-wont-my-hot...

https://thegeekpage.com/fix-mobile-hotspot-not-...

https://windowsreport.com/fix-mobile-hotspot-wo... (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro and Reimage ads)

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/402776...

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/for...

https://softwarekeep.com/help-center/mobile-hot...

https://www.thewindowsclub.com/mobile-hotspot-n...
(Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro and Reimage ads)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpfBUAa0Q3E



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds-6dnoZ9nc



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oBz8ha7Lxw



Feel free to ask back any questions. Please report back results for all steps given so I know what else to suggest if necessary.

______________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.
____________________________
Retired 2023, thirteen year daily forums volunteer, Windows MVP 2010-2020

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Hi Greg,

None of those links are helpful. The Mobile Hotspot works perfectly fine when I first turn it on. I can connect/disconnect just fine with my Pixel 5. The issue is that it stops providing internet at some point while I am still connected to the hotspot. Disconnecting and reconnecting to the hotspot does not solve the issue. I have to restart the hotspot on the laptop in order to gain internet back on the phone.

It's possible this could be related to the fact that my main connection to the internet is spotty itself so that every time that connection has an issue, the hotspot never recovers. This sounds similar to this other question posted in this community https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/503587/how-to-properly-reset-windows-10-mobile-hotspot-if.html

Just a few minutes ago while I was playing a game on the other side of the house, I noticed the Wi-Fi symbol on the phone had an exclamation mark, which means no internet. I tried to navigate to a page in Chrome to test the connection and Chrome gave me the no connection page with the error DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_BAD_CONFIG error. I don't think I've ever seen that one, perhaps it's a clue? While typing this reply on the laptop, the page finished loading on the phone meaning the hotspot started providing internet again, which is unusual because the hotspot normally has to be restarted.

I have upgraded the Intel 8265 drivers at least 3 times while in this location and there has been no difference in behavior. The Realtek external network adapter has been updated twice I believe. I don't think it's a driver issue at this point.

The real question is why Microsoft would add a feature like this with no way to troubleshoot? No way to turn on logging? It either works or it doesn't and you have to guess why. Is there anything I can do when the hotspot is in this state to try and see what's going on?

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Those are the steps which work most often for hotspot failure, so make sure you tried all of them.

As to the clue you provided with the DNS error, it wouldn't hurt to run through the fixes here to check it over:

https://kinsta.com/knowledgebase/dns_probe_fini...

https://windowsreport.com/dns_probe_finished_ba... (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro and Reimage ads)

Let's also go over your networking configuration more thoroughly as it certainly applies:

1) Update your network adapter drivers from the PC maker's Support Downloads web page using the full model number, HP Serial Number or Dell Service Tag on sticker. Compare the latest drivers available for download with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu. Make sure you have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

If you have the latest network driver then try on it's Driver tab also to Roll Back, or Uninstall and then restart PC to reinstall the driver. Try also all older drivers from Update Driver > Browse > Let Me Pick list working backwards.

2) If this was caused by Windows Updates then you can check which were installed at Settings>Update & Security>Windows Update under Installed Updates, then uninstall them from the link there, and hide with the Hide Updates tool downloaded from here: https://www.howtogeek.com/223864/how-to-uninsta...

You can also use System Restore to get before the problem began, then check for Updates with the Hide Update tool and hide them.

If this was caused by Version update then you can roll it back in Settings>Update & Security>Recovery and then hide it until it matures using the Hide Updates Tool.

3) Go to Device Manager > Network Adapters, select network adapter in use, click on the Power Management tab, clear the check box to "Allow the computer to turn off the device to save energy." Then click on the Advanced tab, disable any energy-saving options.

4) Enable IPv6 in the network adapter settings: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/90033-enabl...

5) Run the fixit from https://support.microsoft.com/help/929852 (Re-enable IPv6 on all nontunnel interfaces) and reboot.

6) Right click the network icon in System Tray at bottom right end of task bar to Troubleshoot Problems. Choose trying to reach a specific website and put in a URL it won't open to trace the reason. Then run it over and choose your Network adapters to troubleshoot.

7) Try all of these steps: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/fix...
https://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-10-netwo... (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro ad)
https://windowsreport.com/pc-not-connected-inte... (Avoid ad links which intrude into editorial copy, especially avoid Restoro ad)

8) Go to Settings > Network & Internet > WIfi > Manage Known Networks, highlight and remove the network having problems, restart PC to see if it shows up again.

9) Try plugging in by ethernet cable to the router to compare, then plug the ethernet cable into the modem (if separate) to see if this might be an issue with the router.

10) Try powering off modem, router and PC and then restarting in that order with 1 minute in between each. You may need to reset your router or even optimize it following these steps:
https://www.lifewire.com/resetting-a-home-netwo...
https://www.pcmag.com/article/258865/how-to-set...
Your router manual is always available from the manufacturer's website for your exact model.

11) Another option is you could replace the wireless adapter with an inexpensive USB nano adapter like this one:
https://www.amazon.com/OURLiNK-600Mbps-Wireless...

12) Next let's go over Windows using this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files, and also Step 16 to test a new Local Admin account. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

13) If nothing else works then do a Repair Install, by installing Media Creation Tool, open tool and choose to Upgrade Now. This reinstalls Windows while keeping files, programs and most settings in place, is the most stable method to advance to the latest version, and solves most problems. Tutorial here: https://www.tomshardware.com/how-to/fix-windows...


I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

______________________________________________
Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.
____________________________
Retired 2023, thirteen year daily forums volunteer, Windows MVP 2010-2020

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Last updated April 19, 2025 Views 4,783 Applies to: