Sometimes when you are working on your laptop, the Wi-Fi suddenly stops working. This can be very frustrating, especially when you are in the middle of important work, an online meeting, system updates, or uploading files.
Many people immediately think of using Wi-Fi Hotspot, but Wi-Fi tethering can be unstable, slow, or unavailable due to hardware or driver issues on the laptop. The good news is that there is a more stable and faster solution: USB Tethering.
In this guide, I will take you step by step through how to use your Android phone to provide internet to your laptop using a USB cable, giving you reliable and good speed internet access even when Wi-Fi is not working.
What Is USB Tethering?
USB tethering allows your Android phone to share its mobile data connection with your laptop using a USB cable instead of Wi-Fi.
Advantages of USB Tethering
- More stable than Wi-Fi hotspot
- Faster speed in many cases
- Uses less battery than Wi-Fi hotspot
- More secure (no wireless broadcasting)
- Works even if laptop Wi-Fi is faulty
What You Need Before You Start
Before enabling USB tethering, make sure you have the following:
- Android smartphone with mobile data
- Laptop (Windows, Linux, or macOS)
- USB cable (original or good quality)
- Active mobile data bundle on your phone
Step 1: Check Mobile Data on Your Android Phone
- Unlock your Android phone
- Go to Settings
- Tap Network & Internet or Connections (depends on phone brand)
- Turn Mobile Data ON
- Open a browser on your phone and confirm the internet is working
USB tethering will not work if mobile data is OFF.
Step 2: Connect Your Phone to the Laptop Using a USB Cable
- Plug one end of the USB cable into your phone
- Plug the other end into your laptop USB port
- Wait a few seconds for the laptop to recognize the phone
If your phone asks for USB mode, choose:
File Transfer (MTP) or Charging + Data
Step 3: Enable USB Tethering on Android
- On your phone, open Settings
- Go to Network & Internet / Connections
- Tap Hotspot & Tethering
- Turn USB Tethering ON
If USB tethering is greyed out, make sure:
- USB cable is connected properly
- Laptop is powered ON
- Mobile data is active
Step 4: Laptop Automatically Connects to the Internet
Once USB tethering is enabled:
- Your laptop will automatically detect a new network
- No password is required
- Internet starts working immediately
On Windows Laptop
- Look at the network icon (bottom right)
- You will see a wired connection (Ethernet)
- Status should show Connected
On Linux
- The system usually auto-configures the connection
- Check Network settings if needed
On macOS
- The phone appears as a network interface
- Internet starts automatically
Step 5: Test Internet Speed and Stability
- Open a browser on your laptop
- Visit any website (Google, YouTube, email)
- Try downloading a file or watching a video
You will notice:
- Faster speed compared to Wi-Fi hotspot
- More stable connection
- Less disconnection issues
Common Problems and Solutions
USB Tethering Option Not Showing
- Try another USB cable
- Restart your phone
- Restart your laptop
- Update phone software
Internet Connected but Not Working
- Turn USB tethering OFF and ON again
- Disable laptop Wi-Fi to avoid conflicts
- Ensure mobile data is active
Laptop Not Detecting Phone
- Change USB port
- Try different cable
- Install phone drivers (Windows)
Tips for Better Performance
- Keep your phone charged
- Use areas with strong mobile network signal
- Disable background apps consuming data
- Turn OFF Wi-Fi on laptop to avoid interference
When Should You Use USB Tethering?
USB tethering is best when:
- Laptop Wi-Fi is damaged or disabled
- Wi-Fi hotspot is slow or unstable
- You want secure internet in public places
- You need reliable internet for work or meetings
Conclusion
When your laptop Wi-Fi stops working, USB tethering is a powerful and reliable solution. With just a USB cable and a few settings on your Android phone, you can get fast, stable, and secure internet access on your laptop.
This method is especially useful for professionals, students, system administrators, and anyone who depends on uninterrupted internet connectivity.
Always remember: USB tethering is often faster and more stable than Wi-Fi hotspot and it can save your day when Wi-Fi fails.
