“ netsh wlan start hostednetwork ” command not working no matter what I try

Question

C:\\Windows\\system32>netsh wlan show drivers

Interface name: Wireless Network Connection

Driver                    : DW1501 Wireless-N WLAN Half-Mini C         


        

Answer 1

This was a real issue for me, and quite a sneaky problem to try and remedy...

The problem I had was that a module that was installed on my WiFi adapter was conflicting with the Microsoft Virtual Adapter (or whatever it's actually called).

To fix it:

1. Hold the Windows Key + Push R
2. Type: ncpa.cpl in to the box, and hit OK.
3. Identify the network adapter you want to use for the hostednetwork, right-click it, and select Properties.
4. You'll see a big box in the middle of the properties window, under the heading The connection uses the following items:. Look down the list for anything that seems out of the ordinary, and uncheck it. Hit OK.
5. Try running the netsh wlan start hostednetwork command again.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 as necessary.

In my case my adapter was running a module called SoftEther Lightweight Network Protocol, which I believe is used to help connect to VPN Gate VPN servers via the SoftEther software.

If literally nothing else works, then I'd suspect something similar to the problem I encountered, namely that a module on your network adapter is interfering with the hostednetwork aspect of your driver.