Laptop computers and wifi

How to Use Your PC Computer or Laptop as a Wireless Router

If you use Windows 10 or 11, you can turn your laptop into a Wi-Fi hotspot with ease, thanks to the pre-included virtual device and settings. The Windows 10 Anniversary Update added the ability to share your network connection while maintaining the one on the laptop or desktop. Windows 11 includes it out of the box. Here’s what you do.

1. Open the “Settings”menu in Windows 10 or 11.
   
2. Select “Network & Internet” from the grouped menu options if not already present, then click on “Mobile hotspot” from the left menu.
   
3. Toggle “Share my Internet connection with other devices” to on.
   
4. Turn on the Wi-Fi on the other device (if not already active) and search for network.
   
5. Join the network created by your laptop. The network name is listed in the “Share my internet connection” window.
   
6. Type the network password on the other device, which is also listed on the “Share my internet connection” window, then tap on “Connect.”
   

You should now be able to access the internet using your laptop as a Wi-Fi hotspot.

Using A Laptop as a Wireless Router in Windows 8

If you use Windows 8, you can still create a Wi-Fi hotspot, but it takes a little more configuring than it does on Windows 10 or 11.

1. Navigate to “Control Panel > Network Connections.”
   
2. Right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and select “Properties.”
   
3. Select the “Sharing” tab, check the box next to “Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection,” then click on “OK.”
   
4. Open the Command Prompt as administrator.
5. Type the following: netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=”” key=”” and press “Enter.”is the network name and is the network password.
6. Now, type: netsh wlan start hostednetwork and press “Enter.”
7. Then, type: netsh wlan show hostednetwork to check that everything is functioning correctly.

You should now be able to join that Windows 8 network on your other device. Search and connect, as usual, entering the SSID and password when prompted.

Windows 8, 10, or 11 Hotspot Not Working?

If you try to use your Windows 8 or Windows 10 laptop as a wireless router and it fails to work, there could be several reasons why. Here are the most common windows hotspot problems.

Problem #1: Bad Network Cable Connection

A cable can look good on the outside but be damaged on the inside, especially since the wires are fragile and thin, and the ends can come loose or wear out.

Problem #2: Old Router

An old router that is barely compatible with your laptop’s Wi-Fi hardware and drivers can disconnect or not connect at all whenever you use a second Wi-Fi adapter for your internet source.

Problem #3: Tethering from Your Smartphone

When using your Android phone or iPhone as a tethering device in windows 8 or 10, it does not get identified as an internet source under some applications or drivers. Yeah, it works, but some aspects of Windows do not recognize the USB ethernet as being a valid internet connection, even though it is to some degree. This scenario occurs because tethering apps like pdaNet and EasyTether do not offer automatic IP addressing or managing multiple IPs compared to the PC’s Wi-Fi features and your phone’s built-in hotspot functions. So, Windows gets confused due to communication and data exchange restrictions. After all, tethering was designed to connect to one device only.

It is important to note that you CAN share your ethernet connection when using third-party app options. For instance, pdaNet offers Wi-Fi direct (a hotspot using your phone’s data signal), Wi-Fi Share that automatically sets up a hotspot in your connected laptop using the existing tether connection, and Bluetooth internet functions.

Use an Apple Laptop as a Wireless Router

If you want to use a MacBook or MacBook Pro as a Wi-Fi hotspot, you can. The limitations found in Windows 8 and 10 also apply to MacBooks. It requires an ethernet connection to supply the internet and the Wi-Fi adapter for the hotspot. Here’s how to do it.

1. Select the “Apple logo” and then “System Preferences.”
2. Select “Sharing” and then the words “Internet Sharing“ from the list on the left. DO NOT click the box yet. Click the words instead.
3. Select “Ethernet” as the source and “Wi-Fi” in the “To computers using” box.
4. Select how other devices will connect to your Mac on the next line.
5. Return to the “Sharing > Internet Sharing” and check the box.
6. Click “Start” in the popup window that appears.
7. Click “OK” within all prompts if applicable.
8. Scan for available networks on your other device and use the network name and password from Step 4.

Use DD-WRT x86 to Turn Your PC into a Wireless Router

The Power of the PC

Both Windows and Mac operating systems support multiple Wi-Fi adapters, but Mac PCs may experience problems when using this method. You would need to manually configure both Wi-Fi adapters with different IP addresses and only use one for local access. This setup tells the Mac to select one for internet traffic and one for local IP traffic. Furthermore, you need to place the internet-enabled Wi-Fi adapter topmost, so Mac prioritizes it. Aside from using an app or third-party program to enable wireless hotspot routing, these are the only ways to get the job done.

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How to Improve Your Laptop’s Wi-Fi Reception

An MIT graduate who brings years of technical experience to articles on SEO, computers, and wireless networking.

Michael Heine is a CompTIA-certified writer, editor, and Network Engineer with 25+ years’ experience working in the television, defense, ISP, telecommunications, and education industries.

In This Article

Wherever you use a laptop computer, a strong Wi-Fi signal ensures reliable connectivity and good connection speed. Laptops with limited signal range suffer from slow or dropped connections. Modern laptops have a built-in wireless network adapter. Older laptops require an external network adapter such as a PCMCIA card or a USB adapter.

Take the following steps to improve the range of your laptop and the speed of your connection if you have problems with your Wi-Fi connection.

Environmental Factors That Affect Wi-Fi Range

Several environmental factors can cause a weak Wi-Fi signal. In a home network environment, there’s a lot you can do about these common culprits.

Router Distance

A laptop can get a Wi-Fi signal within a limited distance from the router. Move the laptop closer to the wireless router to combat this problem. The closer the laptop is to the router, the better the signal.

There are many ways to test the speed of the laptop connection at various areas of your house or office to see where you need to be for a good signal.

If moving closer to the router isn’t possible, maybe because your home office is too far from it, move the router closer to the laptop. If you do that, be sure the router isn’t on or near the floor because that can make the signal worse.

Weak Signal

If you can’t reposition the router to a central location or move the laptop closer to the router, add a Wi-Fi repeater. These devices plug into a power outlet between your laptop and the router. Wi-Fi repeaters repeat the Wi-Fi signal, effectively expanding the Wi-Fi range further through your house.

A similar option that can extend Wi-Fi through your house is to buy a wireless mesh system. A mesh network consists of more than one router that blankets multiple rooms with Wi-Fi.

See how mesh networks differ from range extenders if you’re not sure which to go with.

Another solution for a weak Wi-Fi signal that’s helpful, if moving the router isn’t an option, is to invest in a long-range router. These routers have several antennas that push the signal further than a traditional router.

Obstructing Objects

Metal structures and large appliances between the laptop and the router can obstruct the signal. Relocate your laptop or desk to avoid these signal killers.

Other Wireless Devices

To obtain the strongest Wi-Fi signal, limit the number of devices that access the Wi-Fi connection simultaneously. With the popularity of streaming movies, tablets, mobile phones, and smart devices, your laptop may not be the only equipment that uses the Wi-Fi connection.

As more devices go online behind a single router, the limited bandwidth capacity of the network is split between each device, essentially slowing everything down.

Update Your Equipment and Software

The strength of a Wi-Fi signal and its range are also dependent on the router, its drivers and firmware, and the software on the laptop.

Use a Newer Wi-Fi Standard

Replace your router when technology standards change. For example, 802.11ac routers are faster than earlier standards like 802.11n and 802.11g. These routers can also connect to multiple devices at the same time instead of switching between devices.

The same is true for external network adapters used in older laptops. Even if the network adapter isn’t physically broken from prolonged use, it probably uses an old wireless standard or outdated antenna technology. Look at the newer alternatives.

Update the Laptop Software

Keep the software on your laptop updated. Network drivers, for example, affect how a laptop connects to the network. Old drivers can reduce the range and speed of the connection.

Update the Router Software

Updating the router software when possible is also important. Routers use firmware to stay current, so check the router manufacturer’s website to see if there’s an update for your router that includes enhancements or new features that could boost the laptop’s Wi-Fi range.

Use an External Wi-Fi Adapter

If you have an older laptop with a malfunctioning network adapter, or if the laptop’s Wi-Fi is working, an external adapter that plugs in via USB can often improve the range of a laptop.

External network adapters sometimes have antennas that reach the router easier than the internal network card.

Avoid Frequency Interference

Older routers run on the same frequency as many home electronic devices. A microwave oven, cordless phone, or garage door opener that runs on the 2.4 GHz frequency can interfere with a Wi-Fi router signal at that same frequency. Modern routers moved to the 5 GHz frequency to avoid home electronic interference.

If your router functions at the 2.4 GHz frequency, change the channel the router operates on to see if that helps the range. Available Wi-Fi channels are 1 through 11, but your router may only use two or three of those. Check the router documentation or the manufacturer’s website to see which channels are recommended for use with your router.

Check the Transmission Power Settings

The transmission power can be adjusted on some network adapters. If available, this setting is changed through the adapter’s driver interface program, along with other settings such as the wireless profiles and Wi-Fi channel number.

The transmission power should be set to the maximum of 100% to ensure the strongest signal possible.

If a laptop is in a power-saving mode, this setting might be lowered automatically, which decreases the adapter’s range and signal strength.

Speed Could Be a Factor

A network with slow speeds can appear to be broken. If videos buffer while streaming, apps won’t download, or web pages are slow to load, it could be due to the speed that you pay for.

Even if you have upgraded hardware, purchased a fast laptop, and are sitting next to a high-speed router, if the internet speed you pay your ISP for isn’t quick, then everything will seem sluggish.

Contact your ISP to upgrade your bandwidth to something faster. For example, if a speed test site shows that you’re paying for 15 Mbps, upgrade to 20 Mbps, 50 Mbps, or something higher so that your devices have ample bandwidth to connect smoothly.

If you pay for lots of bandwidth and there’s no other reason for why you’re not getting those speeds, investigate if there are any apps on your laptop that use large amounts of bandwidth. VPN services, download managers, torrents, and other file-sharing tools often hoard bandwidth. Shut down those apps to instantly boost your laptop’s Wi-Fi.

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