Guide: Fix ‘Windows 10 Laptop Won’t Connect to iPhone Hotspot’ Issue
Traveling with just a Windows laptop and iPhone, I encountered an unexpected issue: my Windows 10 laptop wouldn’t connect to the iPhone hotspot. Despite affordable data costs in my country, I had to do some troubleshooting to get back on track.
Many people encounter the same issue when seeking solutions: their hotspot isn’t working. The cause could be on either end, so let’s explore all potential fixes to ensure we meet our deadlines.
1. Remove and reconnect
To begin troubleshooting, click the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar on your laptop and select “Forget” for the iPhone hotspot.
Click the Wi-Fi name, enter the password, and your computer will reset all files and settings for that network.
2. Restart the device and change the password
Rebooting devices can often be a successful solution to connecting to a hotspot. To troubleshoot, restart both your iPhone and Windows 10 laptop, then attempt to connect again.
To ensure your iPhone’s personal hotspot is secure, change the password. Go to Settings, select Personal Hotspot and tap Wi-Fi Password. Create a strong password and click Save. Don’t use an easy one - it’s not worth the risk.
3. Upgrade Windows 10 and iOS
It’s time to make sure your devices are up-to-date: update Windows 10 and iOS on both your iPhone and computer. To do so on your iPhone, open the Settings app, go to General and tap Software Update.
If your iPhone has an update available, you’ll spot a red notification dot next to Software Update. Tap it to download and install the update.
Windows 10 updates are usually installed automatically, but if you’re having trouble, you can manually force one. To do so, open Settings (Windows + I) and click Update & Security or search for Windows Update in the ‘Find a setting’ box.
To update your Windows computer, select Check for updates in the left pane of Windows Update.
Windows will prompt you to download an update if one is available. To ensure your system is up-to-date, install the update, restart your device, and attempt to reconnect to the iPhone hotspot.
4. Change the device name
Windows may be having trouble connecting to your iPhone? To fix this, try changing the device name in Settings > About. This could help if the name contains non-ASCII characters.
Enter a new name composed of only letters and numbers when prompted by Tap Name, then attempt to reconnect to the hotspot.
5. Run the network troubleshooter
Windows 10’s built-in network troubleshooter can help you identify and solve connection issues. To access it, press Windows + I to open Settings and select Network and Internet.
To troubleshoot your network connection, open the Network troubleshooter in the Status menu of your device and follow the on-screen instructions.
Windows 10 will suggest a fix if it detects an issue.
6. Reset IP settings on Windows
Press Windows + R to open the Run prompt, then type “cmd” and hit Enter.
Users can reset their IP settings by typing a series of commands into the command prompt. To do so, open the command prompt and type each command in order, pressing Enter after each one.
The Windows command line can be used to reset the Winsock, IP configuration, release and renew IP addresses, and flush DNS.
To reset your laptop’s IP settings, disable and re-enable Wi-Fi connectivity and reconnect to an iPhone hotspot.
7. Update the network driver
Upgrading Windows 10 to the latest version is key to avoiding compatibility issues. To do so, press the Windows key on your keyboard and type Device Manager in the search bar.
To update your network adapter, right-click it in the Network Adapters section and select “Update Driver.”
To ensure a successful connection between your Windows 10 laptop and an iPhone hotspot, restart your system first.
8. Disable Antivirus or Malware Scanner
Disable any antivirus software, malware scanners, or Windows Defender on your system to ensure your device can connect to an iPhone hotspot.
To shut down or pause software, right-click on the notification box and select the appropriate option.
9. Connect to Hotspot via USB
Connecting your iPhone to a Windows 10 system is easy. Simply install the latest version of iTunes on the PC, plug in your iPhone and launch iTunes. If Windows or iTunes doesn’t detect your device, try a different USB cable and port on the computer.
Tap Yes when prompted to trust the computer, then enter your passcode on the next screen. If successful, you should see a device icon in the top left corner of your iTunes screen. If your iPhone has an active hotspot, your Windows 10 laptop will connect automatically.
An iPhone’s blue bar indicates a device is connected to its hotspot.
10. Troubleshoot the Internet connection
Unlock the power of Troubleshoot in Windows: use Windows Search to open it, then click on Internet Connections and run the troubleshooter. Let Windows do the work for you.
Microsoft’s Windows operating system will offer a resolution to any issues identified through its diagnostic process.
11. Network reset
Resetting the network settings on your Windows 10 PC and iPhone should be a last resort for fixing connectivity issues. Doing so will give you a clean slate, but all network-related settings must then be reconfigured.
Windows 10 users can reset their network by pressing the Windows + I shortcut to open Settings, then selecting Network and Internet.
To reset your network, navigate to the Network reset option at the bottom of the Status page in the left pane. Alternatively, you can search for ‘Network reset’ in the Find a setting search box.
iPhone users can quickly reset their network settings by navigating to Settings, selecting General and scrolling down to the Reset option at the bottom of the screen.
To reset your network settings, tap the “Reset Network Settings” option.
Resetting certain settings on your device can lead to data loss, so proceed with caution. Make sure you understand the other options before making any changes.
Attempt to reconnect to the iPhone’s hotspot and determine if it is successful.
Hit the spot
If you’re having trouble connecting to the internet via your iPhone’s hotspot, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are a few solutions that may help. We tried several before finding one that worked for us - and if you’ve found another way to fix the issue, let us know in the comments!
You can now use your iPhone as a wireless keyboard or mouse with these five great iOS apps.
Fix ‘Windows 10 Laptop Won’t Connect to iPhone Hotspot’ Issue: benefits
Faq
Final note
If you’re having trouble connecting your Windows 10 laptop to an iPhone hotspot, this guide can help. Got questions? Reach out for assistance. And don’t forget to share the love by passing it along to friends.
Have a query about fixing a Windows 10 laptop’s connection to an iPhone hotspot? Need help with educational purposes or correcting misinformation? Want to add an alternate method? Reach out to us via our contact page, social media accounts, or Telegram channel. We’ll answer your questions within 24-48 hours (weekends excluded).
