Full Diagnostic Tree & Step-by-Step Overview
What IP configuration status or error is displayed when inspecting the connected hotspot adapter?
- The laptop shows an IP address starting with 169.254.x.x (APIPA) and says 'No Internet, Secured'.
- The laptop has a valid local IP (e.g., 192.168.43.x), can ping the hotspot device, but cannot reach public IP addresses (e.g., 8.8.8.8).
- The laptop can ping public IP addresses (e.g., 1.1.1.1), but web pages fail to load with DNS resolution errors.
- Hotspot disconnects continuously or drops internet throughput immediately when data usage starts.
Why is the laptop failing to receive an IP lease from the mobile device's DHCP server?
- Static IP properties are manually configured on the wireless adapter, preventing dynamic allocation.
- Smartphone tethering service or `dnsmasq` / `dhcpd` daemon crashed or reached maximum connection limit on phone.
- Windows DHCP Client service is stuck or failing to send DHCPDISCOVER broadcast requests.
- Wi-Fi Security / WPA3 handshake compatibility error prevents broadcast packet reception.
Reconfiguring Wireless Adapter properties to Automatic Dynamic IP (DHCP)
Solution:
Root Cause: Legacy Static IPv4 Network Adapter Configuration
When a laptop network adapter is manually configured with a static IPv4 address, subnet mask, and default gateway for a specific home or office network (e.g., 192.168.1.100), it cannot dynamically acquire an IP address from the smartphone's DHCP server when connecting to a mobile hotspot. Mobile hotspots dynamically assign client IP addresses on distinct private subnets (such as 192.168.43.0/24 on Android or 172.20.10.0/28 on iOS). Because the static IP subnet does not match the hotspot subnet, the OS falls back to an Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) address (169.254.x.x), preventing network communication.
# Diagnostic Verification:
Open Command Prompt and run: ipconfig /all
Locate your Wireless LAN adapter. If DHCP Enabled is set to No, static IPv4 properties are overriding the dynamic hotspot connection.# Step-by-Step Fix:
Open Network Connections:Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, and press Enter.Access Wi-Fi Adapter Properties:Right-click your active Wi-Fi Adapter and select Properties.Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.Enable Automatic Addressing:Select the radio button Obtain an IP address automatically.Select the radio button Obtain DNS server address automatically.Click OK, then click Close.Force DHCP Lease Acquisition:Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run: ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
# Prevention & Long-Term Monitoring:
Avoid setting static IPs directly on physical network adapters; instead, use DHCP reservations on local routers when fixed IP addresses are required.
Restarting Mobile Hotspot Subsystem and Setting Manual Subnet Fallback
Solution:
Root Cause: Smartphone Hotspot DHCP Server (dnsmasq) Memory Exhaustion or Lease Lockout
Smartphones host embedded lightweight DHCP daemons (such as dnsmasq on Android or com.apple.MobileInternetSharing on iOS) to manage IP assignment. These services can freeze or exhaust their IP lease pool if multiple devices connect and disconnect rapidly. When this occurs, the mobile OS completes the 802.11 Wi-Fi authentication phase, but fails to respond to incoming DHCPDISCOVER packets from the laptop, causing the laptop to time out and assign an APIPA address (169.254.x.x).
# Diagnostic Verification:
Inspect the Wi-Fi adapter state in Command Prompt: ipconfig
Observe Autoconfiguration IPv4 Address: 169.254.X.X with no Default Gateway listed.# Step-by-Step Fix:
Restart Phone Tethering Services:Turn off Mobile Hotspot on the phone.Enable Airplane Mode for 10 seconds to clear cellular radio interfaces.Disable Airplane Mode and re-enable Mobile Hotspot.Manually Assign Static IP within Mobile Hotspot Range (Workaround):Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, right-click Wi-Fi adapter > Properties > TCP/IPv4 > Properties.Click Use the following IP address.For Android Hotspots: IP Address: 192.168.43.50, Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0, Default Gateway: 192.168.43.1.For iOS Hotspots: IP Address: 172.20.10.5, Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.240, Default Gateway: 172.20.10.1.Set Preferred DNS: 8.8.8.8, Alternate DNS: 1.1.1.1.Click OK.# Prevention & Long-Term Monitoring:
Limit the number of concurrently connected hotspot devices and periodically clear saved network profiles on client laptops.
Resetting Windows DHCP Client Service and Winsock Catalog
Solution:
Root Cause: Windows DHCP Client Protocol Stack Corruption
If a laptop experiences an improper shutdown, abrupt network disconnect, or third-party VPN driver uninstallation, the internal Winsock catalog and TCP/IP stack dynamic registry keys can become corrupted. As a result, the Windows DHCP Client service (
dhcp) fails to issue socket broadcasts across the physical Wi-Fi interface, or drops returning
DHCPOFFER frames before applying them to the interface binding.
# Diagnostic Verification:
Open PowerShell as Administrator and run: Get-Service -Name Dhcp
Verify if the service status is stuck in Paused or failing to start due to dependency failures.# Step-by-Step Fix:
Open Command Prompt as Administrator:Click Start, type cmd, right-click Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.Reset Winsock and IP Stack Rules:Execute the following commands in sequence: netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset
Clear Stale Network Cache:Execute: ipconfig /flushdns
Reboot Laptop:Restart the operating system to rebuild the Winsock catalog and re-initialize the network stack drivers.# Prevention & Long-Term Monitoring:
Ensure network driver utility updates are sourced directly from vendor sites like the Microsoft Official Support Guide.
Adjusting Hotspot Band and WPA Compatibility Modes
Solution:
Root Cause: WPA3/WPA2 Mixed-Mode Authentication and PMF Frame Rejection
Modern smartphones default to WPA3-Personal security or 5 GHz / 6 GHz Wi-Fi bands for mobile hotspotting. Many older legacy laptop wireless cards (e.g., older Intel AC or Realtek adapters) do not fully support Protected Management Frames (PMF) required by WPA3, or experience frame loss on 5 GHz channels. The client associates at the Layer 2 physical link, but key exchange or management frame mismatches prevent Layer 3 DHCP broadcast traffic from completing.
# Diagnostic Verification:
Open Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc) > navigate to Applications and Services Logs > Microsoft > Windows > WLAN-AutoConfig > Operational.Look for Event ID 8002 or 11004 indicating security capability negotiation failures.# Step-by-Step Fix:
Change Mobile Hotspot Band on Phone:Open smartphone Hotspot / Tethering Settings.Locate AP Band / Band Preference and switch from 5 GHz / 6 GHz to 2.4 GHz.Relax Hotspot Security Standards:Change Hotspot Security type from WPA3-Personal to WPA2/WPA3-Personal Mixed or WPA2-Personal.Disable PMF on Laptop Wi-Fi Driver:Press Win + X > select Device Manager > expand Network adapters.Right-click your Wireless Card > Properties > Advanced tab.Locate 802.11n/ac/ax Wireless Mode or Management Frame Protection and set to Disabled or Optional.Click OK and reconnect to the hotspot.# Prevention & Long-Term Monitoring:
Keep laptop Wi-Fi drivers updated to the latest manufacturer release to ensure full WPA3 and PMF handshake compliance.
What upstream cellular connectivity or gateway restriction is blocking internet access?
- Cellular carrier APN profile lacks hotspot entitlement or tethering data quota is exhausted.
- Mobile network interface IP routing / Network Address Translation (NAT) is disabled on phone.
- Mobile operator applies strict Time-To-Live (TTL) hop limits to block tethered laptop packets.
- Active Data Saver or Battery Saver mode on the smartphone suspends tethering bridge daemons.
Updating Carrier APN Configurations and Enabling DUN Entitlements
Solution:
Root Cause: Missing Access Point Name (APN) Hotspot Type (dun) Allocation
Cellular carriers route mobile data through specific Access Point Names (APNs). Many mobile operators separate standard smartphone web traffic from tethered hotspot traffic by requiring a dedicated APN configuration with the dun (Dial-Up Networking) type parameter. If the phone's APN settings lack the correct tethering parameters or if the plan lacks tethering entitlements, the carrier allows connection to the cellular network for the phone itself, but drops all encapsulated forwarded packets originating from connected hotspot clients.
# Diagnostic Verification:
Verify internet works natively on the phone browser while the connected laptop fails to load http://1.1.1.1.In Command Prompt on the laptop, running tracert 8.8.8.8 shows traffic reaches the phone gateway (192.168.43.1) but times out on the second hop (cellular gateway).# Step-by-Step Fix:
Access APN Settings on Smartphone (Android):Go to Settings > Connections / Network & Internet > Mobile Networks > Access Point Names.Select your active carrier APN.Edit APN Type Properties:Scroll down to APN type.Append ,dun to the existing string (e.g., change default,supl to default,supl,dun).*Note: If APN fields are greyed out, tap the 3 dots in the top right corner and select Add APN to create a new profile with identical settings plus the dun type.* Save and Restart Connections:Save the APN setting, toggle Airplane Mode on and off, and re-enable Mobile Hotspot.# Prevention & Long-Term Monitoring:
Confirm mobile data plan terms include hotspot/tethering entitlements before attempting high-volume remote work connections.
Re-enabling Cellular Interface NAT Forwarding via USB Tethering Switch
Solution:
Root Cause: Android/iOS IPTables / Packet Forwarding Subsystem Failure
When mobile hotspotting is active, the smartphone kernel acts as a network router utilizing IP packet forwarding and Network Address Translation (NAT) via iptables or nftables. Software updates, OS memory pressure, or power-saving states can cause the cellular routing table to drop its NAT forwarding rules between the tethering interface (wlan0 or rndis0) and the WAN cellular interface (rmnet_data0 or pdp_ip0).
# Diagnostic Verification:
Laptop is assigned valid IP (192.168.43.x), can ping phone IP (192.168.43.1), but 100% packet loss occurs on any upstream destination.# Step-by-Step Fix:
Switch from Wireless Hotspot to USB Tethering:Connect the smartphone to the laptop using an original USB data cable.On the phone, go to Settings > Hotspot & Tethering > enable USB Tethering.Disable Wi-Fi Hotspot.Re-initialize Virtual USB Network Adapter:On the laptop, open ncpa.cpl and verify a new Remote NDIS based Internet Sharing Device appears.Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run: ipconfig /renew
Verify Routing Path:Test connectivity using: ping 8.8.8.8# Prevention & Long-Term Monitoring:
USB tethering provides lower latency, eliminates Wi-Fi channel interference, and maintains phone battery charging during long remote sessions.
Adjusting Laptop Outbound Packet TTL Values to Bypass Carrier Tethering Blocks
Solution:
Root Cause: Carrier IP Packet Time-To-Live (TTL) Inspection Interception
To detect unauthorized mobile hotspot usage, cellular carriers inspect the Time-To-Live (TTL) field of incoming IPv4 packets at the cellular tower. Standard Windows OS packets leave network interfaces with an initial TTL value of 128 (or 64 on Linux/macOS). When a laptop packet routes through a smartphone hotspot, the phone's kernel decrements the TTL by 1 (e.g., from 128 to 127). If the carrier detects packets arriving with non-standard TTL values for mobile devices, its automated deep packet inspection (DPI) system drops the payload.
# Diagnostic Verification:
Laptop cannot load any websites over hotspot, but accessing internet via a VPN tunnel or changing TTL restores functionality immediately.# Step-by-Step Fix:
Set Windows Outbound Default TTL to Match Smartphone Standard (65):Open Command Prompt as Administrator and execute: reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters" /v DefaultTTL /t REG_DWORD /d 65 /f
*Explanation: When the laptop sends packets with TTL 65, the phone decrements it by 1 to 64, making the traffic appear as if it originated natively from the mobile device.* Set Default TTL for IPv6 (Optional):Execute: reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\Parameters" /v DefaultTTL /t REG_DWORD /d 65 /f
Restart Windows to apply system-wide registry modifications.# Prevention & Long-Term Monitoring:
Re-check registry TTL modifications following major Windows Feature Updates, as OS upgrades may restore default TCP/IP stack keys.
Exempting Tethering Daemons from Mobile Power Optimization and Battery Saver
Solution:
Root Cause: Aggressive OS Power Management Suspension of Tethering Threads
Both iOS and Android feature aggressive battery-saving algorithms (e.g., Android Doze Mode or iOS Low Power Mode). When the smartphone screen turns off or the battery drops below a specific percentage (typically 20%), the mobile operating system suspends background process execution for non-essential daemons, including network bridge daemons (tethering), putting cellular packet processing into a low-power state.
# Diagnostic Verification:
Hotspot internet works continuously while smartphone screen remains turned on, but drops immediately 30-60 seconds after screen locks.# Step-by-Step Fix:
Disable Smartphone Battery Saver:Turn off Battery Saver / Low Power Mode on the phone.Exclude System Tethering from Power Optimization (Android):Go to Settings > Apps > select Special App Access > Battery Optimization.Switch view to All Apps.Locate Tethering, Mobile Hotspot, and TetheringAutomation > set to Don't Optimize / Unrestricted.Configure Hotspot Timeout Settings:Go to Hotspot settings on the phone > set Turn off hotspot automatically to Never.# Prevention & Long-Term Monitoring:
Keep smartphones connected to a power source or laptop USB port during active hotspot sessions.
What DNS server or domain resolution conflict is breaking browser web browsing?
- Smartphone DNS proxy server fails to forward upstream cellular domain queries.
- Stale static public DNS servers (e.g., 8.8.8.8) on laptop are blocked by cellular network firewall.
- Windows Secure DNS / DNS over HTTPS (DoH) conflicts with mobile gateway routing.
- IPv6 DNS resolution takes priority on dual-stack network without cellular IPv6 gateway routing.
Manually Setting High-Performance Public DNS Resolvers on Wi-Fi Adapter
Solution:
Root Cause: Mobile Hotspot Internal DNS Proxy Failure
By default, a smartphone hotspot configures itself as the client's primary DNS server (assigning its own IP, like 192.168.43.1, via DHCP). The phone then proxies incoming client DNS queries to its mobile carrier's DNS servers. If the carrier's DNS servers are degraded or if the phone's internal DNS proxy service stalls, the laptop can establish direct IP connections (e.g., ping 1.1.1.1 works) but fails to resolve web domain names.
# Diagnostic Verification:
Open Command Prompt and test domain vs IP ping: ping 1.1.1.1 *(Succeeds with 0% loss)*
ping google.com *(Fails with 'Ping request could not find host')*
# Step-by-Step Fix:
Open Network Adapter Properties:Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, right-click Wi-Fi adapter > Properties.Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) > click Properties.Configure Manual Public DNS Servers:Select Use the following DNS server addresses.Set Preferred DNS server: 1.1.1.1 (Cloudflare)Set Alternate DNS server: 8.8.8.8 (Google)Click OK and Close.Clear OS DNS Cache:Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run: ipconfig /flushdns
# Prevention & Long-Term Monitoring:
Using public DNS servers bypasses carrier DNS tracking and provides faster domain lookup performance across variable mobile networks.
Reverting Hardcoded DNS Settings to Inherit Carrier DNS Settings
Solution:
Root Cause: Cellular Carrier Transparent Port 53 Interception and DNS Blocking
Certain mobile network operators strictly block or redirect third-party external DNS queries over UDP port 53 (such as Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 or Google 8.8.8.8) to prevent DNS bypass mechanisms. If your laptop adapter has manual public DNS servers hardcoded, the cellular network drops these packets at the tower level, stopping web browsing.
# Diagnostic Verification:
Perform an nslookup query targeting a public resolver: nslookup google.com 1.1.1.1 *(Times out)*
nslookup google.com 192.168.43.1 *(Succeeds using local hotspot proxy)*
# Step-by-Step Fix:
Revert Wi-Fi IPv4 Settings to Obtain DNS Automatically:Open ncpa.cpl > right-click Wi-Fi > Properties > TCP/IPv4 > Properties.Select Obtain DNS server address automatically.Click OK.Clear Browser and OS Resolver Caches:In Command Prompt: ipconfig /flushdnsIn Chrome web browser, navigate to chrome://net-internals/#dns and click Clear host cache.# Prevention & Long-Term Monitoring:
When traveling or using international roaming eSIMs, dynamic DNS inheritance ensures compatibility with regional telecom infrastructure.
Disabling Encrypted DNS over HTTPS (DoH) inside Windows and Web Browsers
Solution:
Root Cause: Unsupported Transport Overhead on Encrypted DNS (DoH) Packets
DNS over HTTPS (DoH) sends domain queries wrapped inside encrypted HTTPS GET/POST requests to port 443. Some mobile carrier firewalls and cellular proxy gateways misclassify high-frequency DoH requests from single client IPs as automated denial-of-service traffic or port scanning, causing temporary IP blocks on the laptop.
# Diagnostic Verification:
Terminal network commands (ping, curl) resolve addresses, but web browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge) report ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED or DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN.# Step-by-Step Fix:
Disable DoH in Web Browsers:In Chrome / Edge: Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Security.Turn off Use secure DNS (or set to *With your current service provider*).In Firefox: Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > scroll to DNS over HTTPS > select Off.Disable DoH in Windows 11 Network Settings:Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > Hardware properties.Click Edit next to DNS server assignment > ensure DNS over HTTPS is set to Unencrypted only.# Prevention & Long-Term Monitoring:
Standard unencrypted DNS queries through carrier proxies remain the most reliable method when connected to cellular tethering access points.
Disabling IPv6 Protocol on Laptop Network Adapters for Cellular IPv4 Fallback
Solution:
Root Cause: Broken IPv6 Dual-Stack Routing on Mobile Gateways
Many smartphones support dual-stack IPv4/IPv6 cellular connections, but fail to correctly pass IPv6 Router Advertisements (RA) to connected hotspot clients. If Windows detects an active IPv6 interface address on the Wi-Fi card, it attempts to prioritize IPv6 DNS resolution (AAAA records). Because the hotspot fails to forward IPv6 packets upstream, connection requests stall until the operating system times out and drops back to IPv4.
# Diagnostic Verification:
Check active network interface bindings in Command Prompt: ping -6 google.com *(Times out or fails to transmit)*
ping -4 google.com *(Succeeds)*
# Step-by-Step Fix:
Disable IPv6 on Active Adapter:Press Win + R, type ncpa.cpl, right-click Wi-Fi adapter > Properties.Uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).Click OK.Force Windows to Prefer IPv4 over IPv6 via Registry (PowerShell Command):Open PowerShell as Administrator and run: reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\Parameters" /v DisabledComponents /t REG_DWORD /d 0x20 /f
Flush Resolver Cache:Execute ipconfig /flushdns in Command Prompt.# Prevention & Long-Term Monitoring:
Disabling IPv6 on tethering connections eliminates dual-stack timeout delays across legacy cellular infrastructure.
What physical interface or driver stability issue is dropping the hotspot throughput?
- Wi-Fi adapter Power Save Mode aggressively disables wireless radio hardware.
- MTU size mismatch causes packet fragmentation and dropouts over cellular interfaces.
- Outdated or corrupted laptop Wi-Fi network card drivers cause driver crashes.
- Local Windows Defender Firewall rules block incoming hotspot traffic.
Disabling Wi-Fi Adapter Selective Suspend and Power Saver Limits
Solution:
Root Cause: Aggressive PCIe / USB Network Adapter Power Management
To preserve laptop battery life, Windows active power plans automatically place Wi-Fi network interface cards into Low Power State or enable Selective Suspend when battery levels drop. Mobile hotspots emit lower transmission power than fixed home routers. When the laptop Wi-Fi card throttles its radio power, link attenuation increases rapidly, causing packet loss and connection drops during heavy data transfers.
# Diagnostic Verification:
Inspect System Event Logs (eventvwr.msc) under System for Event ID 1014 (*DNS Client Events*) or 5007 (*NDIS driver state changes*).# Step-by-Step Fix:
Disable Power Saving in Device Manager:Press Win + X > select Device Manager > expand Network adapters.Right-click your Wi-Fi card > select Properties > click Power Management tab.Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power > click OK.Set Maximum Performance for Wireless Adapters in Power Plan:Press Win + R, type powercfg.cpl, and hit Enter.Click Change plan settings next to your active power plan > click Change advanced power settings.Expand Wireless Adapter Settings > expand Power Saving Mode.Set both On battery and Plugged in to Maximum Performance.Click Apply and OK.# Prevention & Long-Term Monitoring:
Maintain Maximum Performance settings on wireless cards when frequently relying on tethered mobile internet.
Lowering Interface MTU Size for Mobile Cellular Packet Payload Optimization
Solution:
Root Cause: Cellular Overhead Packet Fragmentation and MTU Oversizing
Standard Wi-Fi networks utilize a Maximum Transmission Unit (MTU) of 1500 bytes. However, mobile cellular networks add framing encapsulation headers (such as GTP-U, IPsec, or carrier NAT tunneling) which reduces the effective physical link payload size to between 1360 and 1420 bytes. If the laptop attempts to transmit standard 1500-byte frames over the hotspot, packets undergo severe fragmentation or get dropped entirely by cellular towers.
# Diagnostic Verification:
In Command Prompt, ping a remote destination with Don't Fragment flag (-f) and test length (-l): ping 8.8.8.8 -f -l 1472
If output shows Packet needs to be fragmented but DF set, the MTU size exceeds mobile network limits.# Step-by-Step Fix:
Determine Optimal MTU Payload Size:Gradually reduce ping payload size: ping 8.8.8.8 -f -l 1420, ping 8.8.8.8 -f -l 1400, etc., until ping succeeds.Add 28 bytes (20 bytes IP header + 8 bytes ICMP header) to the working length (e.g., 1400 + 28 = 1428).Update Adapter MTU in Command Prompt:Open Command Prompt as Administrator and list interfaces: netsh interface ipv4 show subinterfaces
Identify the Wi-Fi interface name (e.g., *Wi-Fi*).Apply the new MTU setting: netsh interface ipv4 set subinterface "Wi-Fi" mtu=1420 store=persistent
# Prevention & Long-Term Monitoring:
Setting persistent MTU sizes around 1420 prevents fragmentation drops across mobile networks.
Performing Clean Reinstallation of Laptop Wireless Adapter Driver Stack
Solution:
Root Cause: Wireless NIC Driver State Corruption
Outdated or corrupted network card drivers can accumulate invalid interface state mappings following system updates or sleep cycles. Corrupted driver binaries fail to handle dynamic network changes, such as switching from home Wi-Fi to a smartphone hotspot, leading to connection drops or unresponsive network stacks.
# Diagnostic Verification:
Device Manager displays warning symbols on the wireless card, or running netsh wlan show interfaces reports driver state as Disconnected or Software off.# Step-by-Step Fix:
Download Latest OEM Wi-Fi Driver:Download the official driver package for your wireless card (Intel, Realtek, or MediaTek) from your laptop manufacturer's support site.Uninstall Existing Driver in Device Manager:Press Win + X > select Device Manager > expand Network adapters.Right-click your Wi-Fi card > select Uninstall device.Check Attempt to remove the driver for this device > click Uninstall.Install Fresh Driver and Reboot:Run the downloaded executable installer, complete setup, and restart the laptop.# Prevention & Long-Term Monitoring:
Avoid using generic Windows Update network drivers; instead, maintain OEM driver releases for primary wireless network cards.
Resetting Windows Defender Firewall Settings to Default Policy State
Solution:
Root Cause: Windows Firewall Network Profile Rule Mismatches
When connecting to a mobile hotspot, Windows classifies the new wireless network connection as a Public Network by default. If Windows Defender Firewall rules have been modified by third-party security software, VPNs, or administrator scripts, incoming and outgoing ephemeral network ports on Public network profiles may be blocked, preventing hotspot client communication.
# Diagnostic Verification:
Temporarily disabling Windows Defender Firewall restores full internet access on the hotspot.# Step-by-Step Fix:
Reset Windows Defender Firewall to Default Settings:Press Win + R, type wf.msc, and press Enter.In the right-hand panel, click Restore Default Policy.Click Yes to confirm the firewall reset.Configure Connection Profile as Private (Optional Workaround):Go to Settings > Network & internet > Wi-Fi > click on your connected Mobile Hotspot SSID.Under Network profile type, switch from Public network to Private network.Test web browsing functionality.# Prevention & Long-Term Monitoring:
Periodically review active Windows Firewall inbound and outbound rules to remove redundant blocking entries created by uninstalled software.