Windows 11 wont connect to iPhone hotspot or even remember the network password?

Windows 11 22H2 Build 22621.1848

Hello all.

First time Windows 11 user although have been using windows since Win 95.

So brand new install from the manufacturers OS setup on a brand new laptop.

No matter what I do, Win 11 will not connect to my iPhone Hotspot and does not even remember the network password that I enter.
I know it is not my iphone as both of my Windows 10 machines + 2 Smart TV's connect with out issue (none are connected when I try to connect with Win 11.

On the iPhone 12 Compatability Mode is off.

To try and connect I do the following.
1. Click on the network icon in the tray > manage Wi-Fi connections.
The iPhone is listed so I click Connect.
At the next prompt I enter my Network Security Key and click Next.
Win 11 then trys to coonect for about 15 seconds then says "Can't connect to this network".

I also tried adding the iPhone hotspot as a known network but although it is listed win 11 wont connect.
In the Network & Internet > Wi-Fi app, the iPhone is listed as an available network.
In the Network & Internet > Wi-Fi > Wi-Fi
IP assignment is set to Automatic (DHCP)
DNS server assignment is set to Automatic (DHCP)

The network card is shown as Intel Killer Wi-Fi

I also reset the network on the iphone several times but no luck.

I do not have, nor want, Broadband as my 5G is fast enough for my use so why pay extra and all of
my other devices connect with in seconds.

I am sitting here pulling my rapidly greying hair out.

Would really be grateful for any help.

I can not say what your problem is, I can only tell you what I have to do to hotspot my iphone to 11. My first attempt was when we lost internet due to a tornado, I knew we would be without service for a while. I could pair it without a problem to bluetooth but it would never show up in my network list until I turn off bluetooth and connect the iphone to the PC with a usb cable. I've messed with it off and on for over a year since then and this is the only way I can connect. Even then I have to reboot my iphone and my PC, sometimes more than once before it shows up as an available network.
I followed the instructions in these 2 Apple articles and I won't tell you it was easy and straightforward, because it wasn't. I don't know whether to put the blame on Apple or Microsoft, because it should not be as hard as it is. Hope you can find something in the articles to help you.

glasskuter said:

I can not say what your problem is, I can only tell you what I have to do to hotspot my iphone to 11. My first attempt was when we lost internet due to a tornado, I knew we would be without service for a while. I could pair it without a problem to bluetooth but it would never show up in my network list until I turn off bluetooth and connect the iphone to the PC with a usb cable. I've messed with it off and on for over a year since then and this is the only way I can connect. Even then I have to reboot my iphone and my PC, sometimes more than once before it shows up as an available network.
I followed the instructions in these 2 Apple articles and I won't tell you it was easy and straightforward, because it wasn't. I don't know whether to put the blame on Apple or Microsoft, because it should not be as hard as it is. Hope you can find something in the articles to help you.

How to set up a Personal Hotspot on your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

A Personal Hotspot lets you share the cellular data connection of your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) when you don't have access to a Wi-Fi network.

support.apple.com

If Personal Hotspot is not working on your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) - Apple Support

With Personal Hotspot, you can share the cellular data connection of your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) with another device. If you need help with Personal Hotspot, follow these steps.

support.apple.com

Click to expand...

Thank you. I will try both methods.

I am pretty sure it is a Windows 11 issue as all of my other devices connect without issue.
My net connect that allows me to type this is on my Win 10 Laptop via the Wi-Fi hotspot on my iPhone.

All I have to do is click connect on the laptop and it connects with 2 seconds.

The strange thing is, my other devices require Maximise Compatability to be on.

Okay further to this.

MS UK Support is no longer contactable by telephone GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
I have spoken to Apple Support by phone and they ran me through some tests all of which failed (eg. windows 11 failed not the iPhone)
They asked me to goi into device manager > Portable Devices and if my iPhone was listed (it was) click on Update driver
which I could not do as I am unable to connect to my Wi-Fi hotspot.

Next they told me to download iTunes which I did pn my win 10 laptop and then installled it offline on the Win 11 laptop.
Then see if my iPhone is showing in my device list which it was not.

Apple say that this confirms that it is a Windows issue and I should contact MS support.

And around and around we go in a HUGE circle.

SOLVED....... By Apple Support although the issue was being caused by Windows 11

I'll describe the cure incase it helps anyone else.

In my case, the issue was caused by Windows 11 default setting for wireless WPA security settings.
I had not changed anything in Win 11 as this was a new install and for what ever reason it had defaulted to WPA3.

My iPhone 12 was using WPA2 and that was causing Win 11 to not allow the connection.

My hotspot now works perfectly.

Event2020 said:

In my case, the issue was caused by Windows 11 default setting for wireless WPA security settings.
I had not changed anything in Win 11 as this was a new install and for what ever reason it had defaulted to WPA3.

My iPhone 12 was using WPA2 and that was causing Win 11 to not allow the connection.

Click to expand...

THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I HAD TO MAKE A DOCUMENT ON GOOGLE DOCS BUT I COULDNT FIGURE THIS OUT!!! THANKS EVENT2020!