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How to Fix USB Tethering Not Working on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Guide

USB tethering allows you to share your phone’s internet connection with your Windows 11 PC using a simple USB cable. This can be very handy when Wi-Fi is unavailable or unstable. However, sometimes USB tethering might not work as expected.

This guide will walk you through easy and practical steps to troubleshoot and fix USB tethering issues on Windows 11. Each step is explained in detail, even if you are new to computers.

By following these instructions carefully, you should be able to get your internet connection up and running quickly. Let’s start by covering some quick checks before diving into troubleshooting.

No advanced technical knowledge is required. Just a little patience and the willingness to follow the steps below.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

  • Check your USB cable: Make sure the cable you are using supports data transfer, not just charging.
  • Enable USB tethering on your phone: Go to your phone’s settings and turn on USB tethering before connecting it to your PC.
  • Restart devices: Sometimes simply restarting both your phone and your PC can resolve temporary glitches.
  • Update your phone’s OS and Windows 11: Keep your devices updated to avoid compatibility issues.

Step 1: Confirm USB Tethering is Enabled on Your Phone

Before troubleshooting Windows 11, ensure that USB tethering is switched on your smartphone.

For Android devices: Connect your phone to your PC using the USB cable. Then, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Hotspot & Tethering and toggle on USB tethering. Your phone might prompt you to allow the connection.

For iPhones: Connect your iPhone to your PC with a lightning cable. Open Settings > Personal Hotspot and enable Allow Others to Join. Make sure USB Only tethering is supported on your device.

If USB tethering is off, Windows 11 will not detect the connection, so this step is crucial.

Step 2: Check Device Manager for Network Adapters

Windows needs to detect your phone as a network device. Sometimes the driver might not install automatically.

  1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Network adapters section.
  3. Look for any device related to your phone (it might say “Remote NDIS based Internet Sharing Device” or similar).
  4. If you see a yellow exclamation mark or unknown device, right-click it and select Update driver.
  5. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and wait for Windows to install the driver.

This step ensures Windows has the correct software to recognize your phone’s internet connection.

Step 3: Enable Network Adapter in Network Connections

Sometimes the network adapter for USB tethering might be disabled.

  1. Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter. This opens Network Connections.
  2. Look for an adapter named something like Remote NDIS based Internet Sharing Device or your phone’s name.
  3. If it’s greyed out, right-click and select Enable.
  4. If it’s enabled, right-click and select Disable, then right-click again and select Enable to reset it.

This can refresh the connection and help Windows establish internet sharing.

Step 4: Reset Network Settings on Windows 11

If the above steps don’t work, resetting your PC’s network settings can fix underlying issues.

  1. Open Settings by pressing Win + I.
  2. Go to Network & Internet > Advanced network settings.
  3. Scroll down and click Network reset.
  4. Click Reset now and confirm the action.

Windows will restart and reset all network adapters to default settings. After rebooting, try USB tethering again.

Step 5: Disable Power Management for USB Root Hub

Windows sometimes turns off USB ports to save power, which can disrupt tethering.

  1. Open Device Manager again.
  2. Expand Universal Serial Bus controllers.
  3. Right-click USB Root Hub (you may see multiple entries) and select Properties.
  4. Go to the Power Management tab.
  5. Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
  6. Click OK and repeat for all USB Root Hub entries.

This prevents Windows from disabling USB ports during tethering.

Alternative Method: Use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Tethering

If USB tethering continues to fail, try alternative tethering methods.

  • Bluetooth Tethering: Pair your phone with your PC via Bluetooth and enable Bluetooth tethering on the phone.
  • Wi-Fi Hotspot: Use your phone’s Wi-Fi hotspot feature to connect your PC wirelessly.

These methods are useful backup options if USB tethering is not possible.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why is my USB tethering not showing up on Windows 11?

This is usually because USB tethering is not enabled on your phone, the USB cable does not support data, or Windows lacks the proper driver.

Do I need special drivers for USB tethering?

Windows 11 usually installs drivers automatically, but sometimes manual driver updates are needed from Device Manager.

Can a faulty USB cable cause tethering issues?

Yes. Charging cables that don’t support data transfer will not work for USB tethering.

Is USB tethering slower than Wi-Fi?

It depends on your phone’s network and USB connection, but USB tethering is generally stable and can be faster than Wi-Fi in some cases.

Will tethering use my phone’s data plan?

Yes. USB tethering shares your phone’s mobile data, so ensure you have a suitable data plan to avoid extra charges.

When Nothing Works

If all the above steps fail, consider the following final options:

  • Try a different USB cable or port on your PC.
  • Check your phone manufacturer’s website for specific USB tethering drivers or software.
  • Contact your mobile carrier to ensure your plan supports tethering.
  • Visit the Microsoft Support site for official Windows 11 troubleshooting.

Conclusion

USB tethering is a convenient way to share your phone’s internet with your Windows 11 PC. When it doesn’t work, the cause is often simple to fix—such as enabling tethering on your phone, updating drivers, or resetting network settings.

Following this step-by-step guide should help you resolve most USB tethering issues. Remember to check your cable, enable necessary settings, and keep your software updated for the best experience.

If problems persist, alternative tethering methods or official support channels can provide additional help.

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