9 Fixes iPhone Hotspot not working with Windows 11 laptop

🗓️ April 28, 2025, By ✍️ Karly Wood

Techniques to turn on WiFi on your laptop using an iPhone’s hotspot are the same for all iPhone models, but most people still fail to connect their iPhone to a laptop via a personal hotspot. Find and fix the reasons behind being unable to turn WiFi on a Laptop using a personal hotspot. Your Laptop’s WiFi is connecting, and Your iPhone’s personal Hotspot is Dropping out & Disconnecting itself.

We can say this is an expert solution that works 100% successfully, not only for me but also for my close friend who works with me in the office.

Basic Solution helps you on a Laptop Won’t connect to an iPhone Hotspot

Fix 1: Forgot & Re-Connect

By default, the Windows system saves your WiFi password after successfully connecting for the first time. After that, Hotspot will automatically connect in the future. This is the advantage of connecting to a WiFi network automatically without Re-entering the password.

The Bad thing is that when we change the WiFi password here, we also change the personal hotspot password on the iPhone. The laptop is trying to connect with an old password saved in your Windows system.

How to Forget Hotspot Connection on Windows,

Steps to forget or remove saved WiFi password on Windows.

For Windows 11 & 10,

1. Go to the “WiFi icon” in the Bottom Status bar on Windows.

Click on the Wi-Fi icon right corner of the taskbar on Windows

2. Click on the WiFi Arrow to see all WiFi Networks.

Click on Manage Wi-Fi connections the Wi-Fi icon on Windows

3. Right-click on “Hotspot network name” > Click on “Forgot.”

Connect the iPhone to right-click select forget on iPhone

Trying to connect with the unknown iPhone hotspot named ‘iPhone.’ We recommend changing the Default Hotspot name on the iPhone.

That’s it.

Also, Change your Personal hotspot password on your iPhone.

Fix 2: Enable Maximum Compatibilities

A low-configuration Wi-Fi adapter or an Old Laptop does not support 5G connectivity. So, for a 2.4 GHz connection, you should enable Hotspot for Maximum compatibility.

  1. Open the settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Select Personal Hotspot > Enable Maximum Compatibilities toggle.
  3. That’s it.
Open settings app tap personal hotspot turn on maximise compatibility on iPhone

Now, re-enable WiFi and find your iPhone hotspot name on the list to connect successfully.

Fix 3: Restart the Devices

Internet software and Connectivity issues can be fixed by restarting the system. Restart your iPhone and PC, then try again. Some changes don’t affect without restart or reboot.

Windows:-

1. Click on the Windows Start Logo > Power Off icon on Windows.

Open start menu bar click power button on Windows

2. Select Restart.

Click on restart on Windows

iPhone:-

1. Go to Settings > General > Scroll to the end of the screen Shut Down. Wait 2 to 5 minutes and Press the Side button to turn it on again.

Open Shut Down Settings On iPhone

Fix 4: Enable & Disable Airplane Mode on PC & iPhone

Airplane mode fixes the network signal issue on your iPhone. Even on Windows PC, Using AirPlan mode.

On the Windows System,

1. Click on the Status Bar icon of the click on Wi-Fi Icon on Windows.

Click the Network icon on the taskbar on Windows

2. Enable the Airplane mode on it.

click on Airplane mode to enable it on Windows

3. Next, Disable toggle Airplane mode OFF.

Disable toggle airplane mode on Windows

On iPhone,

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Enable Airplane Toggle > Turn off the toggle.
Turn OFF Airplane Mode Settings On iPhone

Wait for a few seconds and try again to connect your hotspot.

Fix 5: Change iPhone Hotspot Password

Why should we change the hotspot password? By doing this, Windows will ask you to enter a new password for the Hotspot connection. Follow the steps below.

  1. Open the Settings App on your iPhone.
  2. Tap on Personal Hotspot.
Open settings app tap personal hotspot on iPhone

3. Enable the toggle and allow others to join it.
4. Now, tap on Wi-Fi Password.

Turn on allow others to join click Wi-Fi password on iPhone Turn on allow others to join click Wi-Fi password on iPhone

5. Change to Wi-Fi Password and click on the Done Button.

Change to Wi-Fi password tap on done on iPhone

That’s it. Try to connect your iPhone hotspot to a Windows PC.

Fix 6: Change the Hotspot Name on the iPhone

Most commonly, your iPhone hotspot is called ‘iPhone’. This creates too much confusion with other iPhone hotspot connections nearby. Follow the steps below to change the default hotspot name.

1. Open the Settings App on your iPhone.
2. Tap on General.

Open Settings Select General on iPhone

3. Tap on About > Name > Enter a New Device name. Tap on Done to save the changes.

Select about tap name rename hotspot name click done on iPhone

Go back and Try again to connect the iPhone hotspot to Windows 11.

Fix 7: Run Internet Connection Troubleshooter

Having issues with WiFi because of software issues or corrupted drivers. This solution will diagnose the problem and fix it automatically. Follow the steps below.

1. Click on the Start Button on a Windows Laptop or PC.
2. Select Settings.

Open start menu click on settings on Windows

3. Select System > Troubleshoot.

Click system select troubleshoot on Windows

4. Select Other Troubleshooters.

5. Click on Run > Internet Connections.

Click on Internet Connections on Windows

6. Detect the problem and Fix the issue.

Finally, you will get an exact problem with an error name and missing features you can enable.

Fix 8: Update Wireless Network Adapter

Outdated or corrupt network adapter software creates connectivity issues and Internet drops over time. We must update it as soon as a new bug fix is released. The software update process is usually automatic, but we must check for any missing updates.

1. Go to Windows Start Menu > click Win + X > Device Manager on your Windows.

Press win+x select Device Manager on Windows

2. Select Network Adapter.

Select Network adapters on Windows

3. Right-click on Wireless network Adapter or Other service installed on your Mac for Internet connection (Ethernet & more).

Select Expand Network adapters right-click on Windows

4. Select the Update Driver option.

Click Expand Network adapters on Windows

5. Select the preferred option and search automatically for drivers.

Click the first option to let Windows automatically on Windows

6. Follow the on-screen message, updated, or Driver is ready to update.
7. These are the steps to update your Windows network adapter.

search for an available driver and install it on your computer on Windows

Fix 9: Update iOS and Windows

Keep your Windows System and iPhone updated with the latest version.

On Windows:- Connect your window to the ethernet cable and install pending software update,

1. Click on the Start Button on a Windows Laptop or PC.
2. Select Settings.

Open start menu click on settings on Windows

3. Click on Windows Update on the left sidebar of the screen.

Select windows update on Windows

4. Now click Check for Updates at the top of the right-side corner.

Windows update click on check for updates on Windows

On iPhone: Settings > General > Software Update > Download and install.

Open settings app tap general tab click software update on iPhone

Hope you get fixed your trouble, So please help by promoting these essential tips with your Friends on your Social page or like us on Facebook, Twitter or Google Plus.

Karly Wood
Karly Wood

Karly Wood is a journalist based in Ohio who specializes in covering Apple and technology trends. With a varied experience in reporting on public safety, government, and education, her insights bridge multiple disciplines, providing readers with a well-rounded perspective on today's technological advancements. If you need to contact me, you can reach me at karlywood.ohio@gmail.com or through (Facebook)

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