WiFi Not Connecting to Laptop When Using Hotspot? Here’s How to Make It Work

It’s a frustrating feeling your phone hotspot works perfectly, yet your WiFi not connecting to laptop no matter how many times you try. You may see “Can’t connect to this network” or “No internet access.”

Most connection problems come down to network settings, adapter issues, or a temporary glitch that can be fixed with a few simple steps like restarting, resetting, or updating your system.

In this guide, you’ll learn why your laptop won’t connect to Wi-Fi, how to fix it fast, and how to avoid these issues in the future. Whether you’re using Windows 10, Windows 11, or a Mac laptop, these solutions work for nearly everyone.

Why Does My Laptop Refuse to Connect to Wi-Fi?

When your laptop fails to connect to a hotspot or home Wi-Fi, the issue usually stems from small, overlooked causes. Before assuming your device is broken, it’s important to understand what could be going wrong.

Common reasons include:

• The wireless adapter isn’t responding or is outdated.
• Airplane mode is turned on.
• Incorrect network settings or saved passwords.
• A weak Wi-Fi signal or router malfunction.
• Your phone’s hotspot limit has been reached.
• The network card driver has crashed or needs a reinstall.

In many cases, fixing these connection issues doesn’t require a technician just the right sequence of checks and resets.

Step 1: Confirm Wi-Fi Is Turned On

Before anything else, make sure Wi-Fi is turned on. Sounds obvious, but many laptops have a physical Wi-Fi button or a keyboard shortcut that toggles the connection.

Here’s how to check:

• On Windows laptops, press Fn + F2 or the wireless symbol key.
• On Windows 10 or Windows 11, click the network icon on the taskbar and ensure Wi-Fi is enabled.
• On a Mac laptop, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu bar and select “Turn Wi-Fi On.”

If your Wi-Fi connection is off, your laptop won’t even try to detect nearby Wi-Fi networks. Once it’s on, refresh the list and try to connect again.

Read: Wi-Fi Keeps Disconnecting? Fix Network & Connectivity Issues with an Online Computer Technician

Step 2: Check Airplane Mode

If airplane mode is turned on, all wireless functions including Wi-Fi, are automatically disabled.

To turn it off:

1. Click the Notification Center (on Windows 10) or the Quick Settings Panel (on Windows 11).
2. Make sure the airplane icon isn’t highlighted.
3. If it is, click it once to disable it.

After disabling, you should see available Wi-Fi networks again. Now, connect to a Wi-Fi network or your mobile hotspot.

Step 3: Restart Both Devices

When your laptop won’t connect, the fastest and often most effective fix is a restart for both your laptop and hotspot.

• Turn off your phone’s hotspot.
• Restart your laptop.
• Then turn your hotspot back on.

A restart clears cached data, reinitializes the Wi-Fi adapter, and often resolves minor connection problems that built up over time.

If it still doesn’t connect, we’ll move into targeted troubleshooting steps.

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Step 4: Forget and Reconnect to the Network

Sometimes your laptop is trying to reconnect using old or corrupt settings. “Forgetting” the network clears saved credentials and forces your device to start fresh.

To forget a network:

1. Click the Wi-Fi icon.
2. Right-click your hotspot name and select Forget.
3. Wait a few seconds, then reconnect and enter the password for your Wi-Fi.

This simple refresh solves half of all wifi connection issues caused by incorrect credentials or cached data.

Step 5: Move Closer to Your Hotspot or Router

If you’re far away from your hotspot or Wi-Fi router, signal strength might be too weak for your laptop to establish a stable link.

Try this:

• Move your laptop closer to your Wi-Fi router or hotspot device.
• Avoid metal furniture, mirrors, or walls that interfere with wireless signals.
• If using home Wi-Fi, check the antenna direction and ensure the router isn’t hidden behind objects.

Even a slight repositioning can dramatically improve the Wi-Fi signal quality.

Step 6: Disable VPNs or Proxy Connections

If you’re using a Virtual Private Network (VPN), it may be interfering with your ability to connect to Wi-Fi. Temporarily turn off your VPN and try again.

If this fixes it, you can re-enable it later once your internet connection is stable. Some VPNs can block new network authentication until they detect a valid local IP address.

Step 7: Run Windows Network Troubleshooter

Windows offers a built-in network troubleshooter that automatically finds and fixes many connectivity issues.

Here’s how to use it:

1. Right-click the network icon in the taskbar.
2. Select Troubleshoot problems.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions.

The Windows Network Troubleshooter will diagnose and apply fixes to the most common issues related to the Wi-Fi adapter or driver conflicts.

Step 8: Reset Your Network Settings

If the issue persists, performing a network reset can solve deeper configuration problems.

This process will:

• Delete saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords.
• Reinstall your network adapters.
• Reset your IP address and DNS settings.

Steps:

1. Open Settings > Network & Internet.
2. Click Advanced Network Settings.
3. Choose Network Reset or Reset Your Network.
4. Confirm and restart your laptop.

Once restarted, reconnect to your network by re-entering your Wi-Fi password.

Read: How to Fix Slow Internet Speeds : Easy Troubleshooting Guide for Faster Wi-Fi & Connection

Step 9: Update or Reinstall Your Wi-Fi Adapter

Your Wi-Fi adapter acts as the bridge between your laptop and wireless connections. If its driver is outdated or corrupted, your laptop that won’t connect to Wi-Fi needs a quick refresh.

To update or reinstall:

1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
2. Expand Network Adapters.
3. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select Update driver.
4. If that doesn’t help, uninstall the adapter and restart your laptop.

Windows will automatically reinstall the latest version during reboot.

Read: Bluetooth not working on PC Windows 11 – Quick Solutions to Reconnect Your Mouse, Keyboard, or Headphones

Step 10: Check IP and DNS Configuration

Your device might connect to Wi-Fi but not access the internet because of misconfigured IP address settings.

To fix it:

1. Go to Control Panel > Network and Internet > Network Connections.
2. Right-click your wireless network and select Properties.
3. Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
4. Select “Obtain an IP address automatically” and “Obtain DNS server address automatically.”

Click OK and restart. This ensures your laptop automatically pulls valid network info from your router or hotspot.

Step 11: Reset Your Router

If all your devices are acting up, not just your laptop, the problem may lie with your Wi-Fi router.

Perform a router restart or reset:

1. Unplug the power cable.
2. Wait 30 seconds.
3. Plug it back in and allow it to fully reboot.

This clears temporary glitches and renews internet access across devices. If your phone still connects but your laptop won’t connect, you may need to check for a firmware update on your router or contact your internet provider.

Read: Laptop Won’t Turn On Lenovo? Try This Before You Panic – It Actually Works!

Step 12: Try Another Network

To confirm whether your laptop or hotspot is the problem, connect to a different Wi-Fi network.

• If it connects elsewhere, your hotspot or router settings may need adjustment.
• If it still fails, your laptop’s network card or system configuration might need professional attention.

Testing another network helps narrow down the root cause.

Step 13: Switch Between 2.4GHz and 5GHz Bands

Some older laptops can’t connect to 5GHz Wi-Fi networks. If your phone hotspot is set to 5GHz, try switching it to 2.4GHz.

You’ll usually find this under your phone’s Hotspot Settings > “AP Band.” Change it, restart your hotspot, and reconnect your laptop.

This simple tweak often fixes mysterious “laptop not connecting to Wi-Fi” issues.

Step 14: Check the Wireless Adapter Hardware Switch

Certain laptops have a physical Wi-Fi button or toggle that enables or disables the wireless adapter entirely.

If your laptop not connecting even though everything seems fine, look along the sides or function keys for a switch with a wireless icon. Turn it on, and you should see nearby networks instantly.

Step 15: Use an Ethernet Cable as a Temporary Solution

When your Wi-Fi fails but you need immediate access, plug in an Ethernet cable directly from your router or phone (via USB adapter).

This bypasses wireless entirely and gets you back online quickly, allowing you to download updates or troubleshooting options that might fix your Wi-Fi later.

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Step 16: Reconnect After a System Update

After installing Windows updates, your Wi-Fi adapter may need to reinitialize. If you recently updated your system and still can’t connect to Wi-Fi, perform one more restart and recheck the network settings.

Sometimes, updates temporarily disable wireless services until a full reboot occurs.

Step 17: Check Compatibility and Device Limits

If your laptop to another device connects fine but fails with your hotspot, the issue might be device limits. Hotspots typically support 5–10 simultaneous connections.

Disconnect one device and try to connect again. You can also test by creating a new hotspot network name on your phone.

Step 18: Contact Technical Support

If you’ve tried everything and the laptop won’t connect, your system might have a deeper hardware issue, such as a damaged network card.

This is where expert help comes in. Professional technicians can diagnose through remote troubleshooting, identifying driver conflicts, or faulty configurations quickly.

Preventing Future Wi-Fi Connection Problems

Here are some habits that can save you hours of frustration later:

• Keep your Wi-Fi adapter drivers updated.
• Restart your router and laptop weekly to clear cached errors.
• Regularly remove unused saved networks.
• Avoid using too many devices on one hotspot.
• Don’t disable antivirus firewalls unless advised by a technician.

Following these best practices ensures consistent and reliable wireless connectivity.

Read: How To Install Drivers on Windows 10? [Full Guide]

When to Seek Professional Help

If your wifi connection issues are frequent or your laptop stopped connecting altogether, you might need expert hands. A trained remote technician can securely access your system, check driver integrity, and adjust advanced network settings without any guesswork.

That’s where a trusted IT partner makes a difference.

Reliable Remote IT Support from OneClick Technologies LLC

At OneClick Technologies LLC, we understand how frustrating connection issues can be, especially when you rely on your laptop for work or study. Our U.S.-based professionals provide remote IT support designed specifically for home users and small offices.

We specialize in diagnosing and fixing laptop Wi-Fi connection problems, router configuration issues, and other device connectivity faults all without needing to visit your location.

We offer efficient, remote troubleshooting that’s fast, affordable, and completely transparent.

If your wifi not connecting to laptop issue persists, don’t waste time trying random fixes. Let our experts help you identify the real cause and get your system running smoothly again.

👉 Contact OneClick Technologies LLC today and let our remote team get your laptop reconnected, restore your internet access, and keep your devices performing at their best.