USB Tethering not working

Why Is USB Tethering Not Working? 11 Easy Ways to Fix It

When our primary internet connection is unavailable, we may use USB tethering to connect our Windows PC to the internet by sharing the mobile data connection.

When your PC or laptop lacks Wi-Fi access, this solution comes in handy. Using a USB cable, we connect our internet-connected mobile phone to the PC.

It might be irritating when USB tethering fails because it is frequently used as a backup method of connecting to the internet.

Fortunately, there are several solutions to the problem of USB tethering not working on a Windows PC.

What is USB Tethering?

USB tethering is the process of connecting a data-enabled mobile phone to your PC to share the phone’s data connection.

Here, the mobile phone is directly linked to the PC through a USB cable, and you may share the mobile phone’s internet connection.

When the primary internet connection breaks or is unavailable, USB tethering is typically utilized as a backup connection.

Why Is USB Tethering Not Working?

The following factors may prevent USB tethering from working.

  • Tethering may not be enabled on your phone
  • Wi-Fi connection in your mobile phone may interfere with the tethering.
  • Your data limit is over or the data connection is off.
  • Temporarily software bugs in the phone or PC.
  • The USB cable might be damaged.
  • The USB port in your PC may be faulty.
  • USB drive issue in the PC
  • APN settings are not configured properly.

How to Fix USB Tethering Not Working

Check that the phone and PC are properly set up and tethered before beginning the solution procedure for USB tethering not working.

1. Confirm Whether the Tethering Feature Is On

A little error, such as forgetting to turn on the tethering option on your smartphone, can sometimes create a problem.

Even if you remember enabling the function, double-check to ensure it is still active.

2. Disable the Wi-Fi Connection in Your Mobile Phone

When tethering your phone to a PC, the phone’s Wi-Fi connection may interfere with the tethering connection.

You may test your connectivity by turning off your phone’s Wi-Fi connection.

It is a straightforward operation, and you can quickly disable Wi-Fi by sliding down the control center or fast settings from the top of the screen.

3. Check Whether Your Phone Has Data Connectivity

USB tethering necessitates that your phone has reliable and continuous cellular data.

Examine the data connection to determine if it is active.

Also, make sure your smartphone’s cellular data limit hasn’t been exhausted. If the data limit is over, you should extend the cellular data limit even higher.

4. Restart the PC and Phone

If you are a regular user of a computer or a mobile phone, we believe there is no need to explain the benefits of restarting the devices.

Most small issues and software bugs may be fixed simply by restarting a device.

So, restart your PC and mobile phone to see whether the tethering problem is resolved.

5. Check and Confirm the USB Cable Used Is Good

Most individuals neglect to check in on this part. So you should ensure that the USB cable used for tethering is in good working order.

It is advisable to test the connection with an alternative USB cable. If the latter is working properly, throw away the original defective cable.

6. Try a Different USB Port

If you still have tethering problems after changing the USB cable, the issue might be with the USB port.

The fault with the USB port is not immediately seen. So, try another USB port.

If your PC has a USB 3.0 port, you may enjoy a fast tethering connection with your phone through this port.

7. Run Windows Troubleshooter

As a Windows user, you may be aware that the Windows troubleshooter tool cannot resolve the majority of Windows PC difficulties. Still, give it a try, and let us handle the troubleshooting.

Enter “Troubleshoot” into the Windows search box and choose the best result.

Select Network Adapter>Run the troubleshooter in the troubleshooting box.

Then, as shown on the screen, proceed.

Check to see whether the USB tethering not working problem has been addressed after completing the troubleshooting procedures.

8. Perform OS Updates on PC and Mobile

Whether the driver update did not resolve your tethering issue, see if any pending OS updates for your PC and mobile are available.

9. Update USB and Tethering Driver

Tethering will not function correctly if the network adapter or tethering driver is corrupted. You must upgrade the tethering driver here.

You must follow the processes outlined below to do this.,

Type and search Device Manager in the Windows search box.

Select and open the most relevant result.

From the opened Device Manager window, see the expanded list of devices in the Network adapter section

Right-click on the Remote NDIS-based Internet Sharing Device.

Here you will get the Update driver option and select Search automatically for drivers in the next window.

Follow the onscreen instructions and your tethering driver will be updated shortly.

Similarly, update the driver for the Universal Serial Bus Controller (USB).

10. Change Your MVNO

Some users who experience USB tethering not working on their Android phones have discovered that altering the Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) type may provide a solution.

Navigate to Settings > Mobile Networks > Access Point Names, and then select your mobile carrier from the drop-down menu.

Scroll down and choose MVNO, then IMSI.

11. Change APN Settings

Android users can also overcome Windows tethering troubles sometimes by upgrading their APN settings.

Scroll down and choose APN Type, then type “default. dun” and click OK. If that fails, some folks have had success by altering it to “dun“.

Conclusion

If none of the solutions above work, you may always go wirelessly. You may use your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot to wirelessly connect your laptop or desktop computer.

If your device does not have wireless capabilities, you can buy a USB Wi-Fi adaptor. Amazon has a wide selection of high-quality Wi-Fi adaptors.

If USB tethering fails, you can try Bluetooth tethering. Bluetooth tethering, like USB tethering, allows you to use Bluetooth to connect your PC to your phone’s cellular data.

However, the PC should be Bluetooth enabled. If your battery is running low, you may rely on this type of tethering.

If your PC does not have Bluetooth connectivity, you may simply install a Bluetooth adaptor. Amazon provides a wide selection of high-quality Bluetooth adaptors.

We recommend utilizing a Wi-Fi hotspot instead of Bluetooth tethering since it is more reliable and speedy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why USB tethering is not working on my phone?

It might have happened owing to several factors. In most cases, just replacing a broken USB cable or enabling USB tethering in the connection settings will solve the issue. If the problem lies deeply in your computer, you may need to update the tethering drivers or run the Windows troubleshooter.

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