How to Fix Surface Pro iPhone Hotspot Not Working on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Solutions

Using your Surface Pro with an iPhone hotspot on Windows 11 should be straightforward, but sometimes connectivity issues arise. When your Surface Pro cannot connect to or maintain an iPhone hotspot, it can disrupt your workflow or browsing.

This article guides you through simple and detailed steps to fix the hotspot problem on your Surface Pro running Windows 11. Each solution is explained clearly to help even beginners resolve the issue.

Follow the instructions in order, starting from quick checks to more advanced fixes. This way, you can save time and avoid unnecessary steps.

By the end, you should have a stable connection between your Surface Pro and your iPhone hotspot.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

Before diving into detailed troubleshooting, ensure the following:

iPhone Hotspot is Enabled: On your iPhone, go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and make sure it’s turned on and discoverable.
Correct Password: Confirm the hotspot password on your iPhone matches what you enter on the Surface Pro.
Airplane Mode is Off: Both devices should have Airplane Mode disabled to allow network connections.
Signal Strength: Ensure your iPhone has a good cellular signal to provide internet access.
Windows Updates: Check that your Surface Pro has the latest Windows 11 updates installed, as updates fix network bugs.

Step 1: Restart Both Devices

Restarting can resolve many connectivity problems by resetting network components.

Turn off your Surface Pro by clicking Start > Power > Restart.
On your iPhone, press and hold the side button and volume button, then swipe to power off. Turn it back on after a few seconds.
After both devices reboot, try connecting to the hotspot again.

This step clears temporary glitches and refreshes network settings.

Step 2: Forget and Reconnect to the Hotspot Network

Sometimes Windows saves incorrect or outdated hotspot credentials, causing connection failures.

On your Surface Pro, click the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar.
Find your iPhone’s hotspot network name (SSID), right-click it, and choose Forget.
Now, click the Wi-Fi icon again, select your iPhone hotspot, enter the correct password, and connect.

Forgetting the network forces Windows to create a fresh connection, which often fixes password or authentication errors.

Step 3: Check Network Adapter Settings

Incorrect or disabled network adapters can prevent connection to hotspots.

Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters. Look for your Wi-Fi adapter (e.g., Intel Wireless, Realtek).
If there is a yellow warning icon, right-click the adapter and choose Update driver.
Also, right-click and select Enable device if it’s disabled.
Restart your Surface Pro after updating or enabling.

Updating ensures your drivers are compatible with Windows 11 and your hardware. Disabled adapters won’t allow connections.

Step 4: Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter

Windows 11 includes a built-in troubleshooter that can automatically detect and fix common network issues.

Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Find Internet Connections and click Run.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.

This tool can reset network components and fix misconfigurations without manual intervention.

Step 5: Reset Network Settings on Surface Pro

If problems persist, resetting all network settings on Windows can clear corrupted configurations.

Open Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings.
Scroll down and click Network reset.
Confirm by clicking Reset now.
Your Surface Pro will restart automatically.

Network reset removes and reinstalls all network adapters and sets network components back to default, which helps fix deep issues.

Step 6: Check iPhone Settings and Carrier Restrictions

Sometimes hotspot issues stem from the iPhone or mobile carrier:

Make sure your cellular plan supports hotspot usage. Some carriers restrict or limit tethering.
On your iPhone, toggle the hotspot off and back on to refresh its broadcasting.
Try changing the hotspot password in Settings > Personal Hotspot and reconnect from the Surface Pro.
If possible, test your iPhone hotspot with another device to confirm the issue is not with the iPhone.

This isolates whether the problem is on the iPhone or Surface Pro side.

Alternative Method: Use USB or Bluetooth Tethering

If Wi-Fi hotspot connection keeps failing, you can try alternative tethering methods:

USB Tethering: Connect your iPhone to the Surface Pro using a Lightning to USB cable. On your iPhone, enable Personal Hotspot, and Windows should detect the connection as a network.
Bluetooth Tethering: Pair your iPhone and Surface Pro via Bluetooth, then enable Personal Hotspot. On Windows, connect to the iPhone’s network via Bluetooth.

These methods can bypass Wi-Fi related problems and offer more stable connections in some cases.

FAQs

Why does my Surface Pro not see my iPhone hotspot?

Your hotspot might be hidden or your Wi-Fi adapter could be disabled. Make sure the hotspot is enabled and visible on your iPhone. Also, check that your Surface Pro’s Wi-Fi is on and functioning.

Can battery saver mode affect hotspot connection?

Yes, battery saver settings on both devices may limit network functions. Disable battery saver mode temporarily to improve connectivity.

Why does the hotspot disconnect frequently?

This can happen due to weak cellular signal, interference, or power-saving settings on the iPhone that turn off the hotspot when no devices are connected.

Is it possible my firewall or antivirus blocks the hotspot?

Sometimes, security software can block new network connections. Temporarily disable firewall or antivirus to check if they cause the problem.

When Nothing Works

If you’ve tried all the above steps and your Surface Pro still cannot connect to the iPhone hotspot, consider these final options:

Contact Microsoft Support: They can help diagnose Windows 11 or device-specific issues.
Contact Apple Support: For problems related to the iPhone’s hotspot functionality or carrier restrictions.
Use a Different Device: Test your hotspot on another laptop or tablet to isolate the problem.
Factory Reset Network Settings on iPhone: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This erases all network settings but can fix stubborn issues.

Conclusion

Connecting your Surface Pro to an iPhone hotspot on Windows 11 should be easy with the right steps. Start by ensuring basic settings are correct and devices are restarted. Then proceed through network adapter checks, Windows troubleshooters, and network resets if needed.

Remember to verify your iPhone’s hotspot settings and carrier plan to avoid restrictions. Alternative tethering methods like USB or Bluetooth can also help in tricky cases.

By following this guide carefully, you should be able to restore hotspot connectivity and stay online without hassle.