Introduction
In this article, you will learn how to start a wireless or wired Windows hotspot and share a NordVPN VPN connection to devices connected to it.
Here's what to do:
Windows 11 mobile hotspot
NOTE: A mobile hotspot will not work with the NordLynx protocol. Make sure to enable the OpenVPN UDP or OpenVPN TCP protocol instead.
- Change the protocol to OpenVPN TCP or OpenVPN UDP in the NordVPN app.
- Use the Windows search and type "Settings."
- Open the Settings app and click "Network & Internet."
- Click "Mobile hotspot."
- Select the button near Share over and set it to "Wi-Fi."
- Turn on "Mobile hotspot."
- Go back to "Network & Internet."
- Scroll down to the "TAP-NordVPN" adapter.
- Click "Edit" near more adapter settings.
- Click "Sharing."
- Check the checkbox "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's internet connection."
- Select your newly created hotspot from the dropdown menu. Most of the time, it will be named "Local area connection."
- Connect to the hotspot with the device that you would like to connect to NordVPN, and connect to a NordVPN server.
After completing these steps, your mobile hotspot will be configured to share the VPN connection with other devices. Make sure to test the connection and ensure that all connected devices are successfully using the shared VPN connection. You can check your connection in the NordVPN DNS Leak Test.
Windows 7/8.1/10 mobile hotspot
NOTE: Recent Intel Wireless Adapters don’t support the wireless hosted network feature on Windows 10. For more information, visit Intel's support page.
- Connect your Windows PC to your network via Wi-Fi.
- Change the protocol to OpenVPN TCP or OpenVPN UDP in the NordVPN app.
- Search "Command Prompt" in the Windows Search bar, right-click it to run as administrator.
- In Command Prompt, type the following:
netsh wlan show drivers
If the "hosted network supported line" says "no," look for a newer version of your adapter drivers and install them.
- Type in the following command:
netsh wlan set hostednetwork mode=allow ssid=NetworkName key=NetworkPassword
- To activate this virtual network, type:
netsh wlan start hostednetwork
If you get the message "The hosted network couldn't be started. The group or resource is not in the correct state to perform the requested operation" after performing "netsh wlan start hostednetwork," try the following:
- Press the Windows key + R.
- Type:
mmc devmgmt.msc
- Once the device manager is open, navigate to "Network Adapters" and right-click "Microsoft Hosted Network Virtual Adapter."
- Select "Enable."
- Type the following command again:
netsh wlan start hostednetwork
- Right-click the network icon in the system tray and click "Open the Network and Sharing Center."
- Click "Change Adapter Settings."
- Right-click the "TAP-NordVPN Windows Adapter V9" adapter.
- Select "Properties."
- Click "Sharing."
- Check the checkbox "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's internet connection."
- Select your newly created hotspot from the dropdown menu. Most of the time, it will be named "Local area connection."
- Connect to the hotspot with the device that you would like to connect to NordVPN, and connect to a NordVPN server.
After completing these steps, your mobile hotspot will be configured to share the VPN connection with other devices. Make sure to test the connection and ensure that all connected devices are successfully using the shared VPN connection. You can check your connection in the NordVPN DNS Leak Test. - To check the status of your virtual adapter, type the following:
netsh wlan show hostednetwork
To stop the virtual interface, type:
netsh wlan stop hostednetwork
After completing the steps, your NordVPN connection will be successfully shared via Wi-Fi.
Sharing a NordVPN connection through an Ethernet cable
NOTE: If you're using an Ethernet cable to connect your PC to the network, you'll need a second Ethernet port to share your NordVPN connection with another device.
Laptops should connect to the network via Wi-Fi, leaving their Ethernet port free for the device without the NordVPN connection.
- Open the network and sharing center by right-clicking the network icon in the system tray.
- Click "Open Network & Internet settings."
- Click "Change adapter options."
- There should be at least three interfaces:
- Your internet connection.
- The interface you will use to connect the device without a NordVPN connection.
- The NordVPN app uses the TAP adapter to establish a NordVPN connection.
- Right-click the "TAP-NordVPN Windows adapter."
- Click "Properties."
- Open the "Sharing" tab.
- Tick "Allow other network users to connect through this computer's internet connection."
- Choose the network interface that you will share the connection with.
- Click "OK."
- Switch to the UDP or TCP protocol in the NordVPN app.
- Connect the desired device to your PC using an Ethernet cable.
- Once you see the Ethernet interface trying to identify the connection, connect to NordVPN using the NordVPN app.
Once you have followed these steps, the NordVPN connection will be shared with the device.
