How to Share Internet Between Two PCs Using Bluetooth

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How to Share Internet Between Two PCs Using Bluetooth in Windows 10 and 11

Last updated: August 11, 2026

You can share an internet connection between two Windows PCs without an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi router.

If one PC already has internet access and both PCs support Bluetooth, you can use a Bluetooth Personal Area Network, also called BTPAN, to connect the second PC.

The current Windows method uses Mobile Hotspot and Bluetooth on the PC that has internet access. The other PC then connects through the Bluetooth Personal Area Network.

This method does not require a virtual COM port, New Connection Wizard, or third-party proxy software such as CCProxy.

Two Windows PCs sharing an internet connection over Bluetooth


Windows 10 note: Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025. The instructions below still apply to supported Windows 10 features, but Windows 11 is the recommended version for current use.

Quick Answer

To share internet between two Windows PCs using Bluetooth:

  1. Pair the two PCs through Bluetooth.
  2. On the PC with internet access, open Settings > Network & internet > Mobile hotspot.
  3. Select the internet connection you want to share.
  4. Set Share over Bluetooth.
  5. Turn on Mobile hotspot.
  6. On the second PC, open its Bluetooth device settings.
  7. Select the first PC and choose Join Personal Area Network (PAN.
  8. Connect to the Bluetooth network.

Windows calls this type of connection a Bluetooth Personal Area Network, or BTPAN. BTPAN allows compatible Windows devices to share internet connectivity through a Bluetooth network.

What You Need

You need:

  • Two Windows PCs.
  • Bluetooth on both PCs.
  • An active internet connection on one PC.
  • The two PCs paired through Bluetooth.
  • A Bluetooth adapter if either PC does not have built-in Bluetooth.
  • Administrator access may be required for some network settings.

A USB Bluetooth adapter can add Bluetooth to a PC that does not have built-in Bluetooth.

How Bluetooth Internet Sharing Works

The connection works like this:

Windows 11 Bluetooth settings showing two PCs being paired

The host PC is the computer that already has internet access.

The client PC is the computer that needs internet access.

The host shares its existing Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or cellular connection through Bluetooth. The client connects to the host through a Bluetooth Personal Area Network.

Bluetooth is convenient for short-range connections, but it is generally slower than Wi-Fi. If both PCs have Wi-Fi, Windows Mobile Hotspot is usually the better option.

Step 1: Turn On Bluetooth on Both PCs

On both computers:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select Bluetooth & devices.
  3. Turn Bluetooth on.

If the Bluetooth option is missing, the PC may not have a Bluetooth adapter, or the Bluetooth driver may not be installed correctly.

On Windows 10, open:

Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices

Then turn Bluetooth on.

Learn how to turn on Bluetooth in Windows 10 if you need additional help.

Step 2: Pair the Two PCs

.
Windows 11 Bluetooth settings showing two PCs being paired

You must pair the PCs before creating the Bluetooth network.

On the PC that will receive the internet:

  1. Open Settings > Bluetooth & devices.
  2. Select Add device.
  3. Select Bluetooth.
  4. Select the other PC when it appears.
  5. Confirm the pairing code on both computers.
  6. Accept the pairing request if Windows asks for permission.

Repeat the process from the other PC if necessary.

Tip: Keep both PCs close together while pairing. Bluetooth connections can be affected by distance and interference.

Step 3: Share the Internet From the Host PC

Windows Join Personal Area Network option for Bluetooth

Now configure the PC that already has internet access.

Windows 11

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select Network & internet.
  3. Select Mobile hotspot.
  4. Under Share my internet connection from, select the connection that currently has internet access.
  5. Under "Share over," select Bluetooth.
  6. Turn Mobile hotspot on.

Windows can share an existing internet connection through Mobile Hotspot using Bluetooth.

Windows 10

Open:

Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile hotspot

Then:

  1. Select the internet connection you want to share.
  2. Under Share my Internet connection over, select Bluetooth.
  3. Turn on Share my Internet connection with other devices.

The exact wording can vary slightly between Windows 10 versions.

Step 4: Connect the Second PC to the Bluetooth PAN

Now move to the client PC.

Windows 11

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select Bluetooth & devices.
  3. Select Devices.
  4. Find the paired host PC.
  5. Open the device's available options.
  6. Select Join Personal Area Network (PAN).
  7. Select Connect when the PAN connection is available.

Windows may display the PAN connection status under the paired device.

Windows 10

If the PAN option is not available in the Settings app, use the classic Windows interface:

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Select Devices and Printers.
  3. Find the paired host PC.
  4. Right-click the computer.
  5. Look for Connect using > Access point or Join a Personal Area Network, depending on the Windows version and Bluetooth driver.

The available menu can vary because Bluetooth networking support depends partly on the Bluetooth adapter and its driver.

Step 5: Test the Internet Connection

After connecting to the Bluetooth PAN:

  1. Open a web browser on the client PC.
  2. Visit a website.
  3. Check whether the page loads.
  4. Select the network icon on the taskbar and check the connection status.

If websites load normally, the Bluetooth internet connection is working.

If the client shows a network connection but websites do not open, continue with the troubleshooting section below.

Bluetooth Internet Sharing Not Working

Diagram showing internet shared from a host PC to a client PC over Bluetooth

If the client PC cannot access the internet, work through these fixes in order.

1. Confirm the Host PC Has Internet Access

First, test the internet connection on the host PC.

Open a browser and visit a website.

If the host PC cannot access the internet, Bluetooth sharing will not work.

2. Check Mobile Hotspot Settings

On the host PC, open:

Settings > Network & internet > Mobile hotspot

Confirm that:

  • The correct internet connection is selected.
  • Share over is set to Bluetooth.
  • Mobile Hotspot is turned on.

3. Reconnect the Bluetooth PAN

Disconnect the PAN connection on the client PC.

Turn Bluetooth off and back on.

Then try Join Personal Area Network again.

4. Remove and Pair the PCs Again

A damaged or incomplete Bluetooth pairing can prevent PAN connections.

On both PCs:

  1. Open Bluetooth settings.
  2. Remove the other PC from the paired-device list.
  3. Turn Bluetooth off and back on.
  4. Pair the PCs again.
  5. Try joining the PAN.

5. Check the Bluetooth Driver

An outdated or incompatible Bluetooth driver can cause Bluetooth networking problems.

Open Device Manager and expand Bluetooth.

Right-click your Bluetooth adapter and check for a driver update.

You can also check:

Settings > Windows Update > Advanced options > Optional updates

If your PC manufacturer provides a newer Bluetooth driver, you can also use the manufacturer's support website.

6. Restart Bluetooth Support Service

The Bluetooth service may stop responding correctly.

  1. Press Windows key + R.
  2. Type services.msc.
  3. Press Enter.
  4. Find Bluetooth Support Service.
  5. Right-click it.
  6. Select Restart.

If the service is stopped, select Start instead.

7. Check the Bluetooth Adapter

Open Device Manager and expand Bluetooth.

Look for warning icons next to the Bluetooth adapter.

If the adapter has an error, update or reinstall its driver.

If you are using a USB Bluetooth adapter, unplug it and connect it to another USB port.

8. Check Windows Firewall

Firewall software can sometimes interfere with network sharing.

Do not permanently disable Windows Firewall.

Instead, check whether your firewall or third-party security software is blocking network sharing. Restore the normal firewall protection after testing.

9. Check the Network Connection on the Client

Open:

Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings

Check whether a Bluetooth or PAN network adapter appears.

If the adapter is disabled, enable it and try the connection again.

10. Check for a DNS Problem

If the client connects to the PAN but websites do not load, the problem may be DNS resolution.

Try opening a website by IP address or testing DNS from the Command Prompt.

You can also follow our guide on how to fix DNS Server Not Responding in Windows.

Alternative Method: Internet Connection Sharing

Some Windows installations and Bluetooth drivers expose the traditional Internet Connection Sharing (ICS settings.

If Mobile Hotspot does not provide the Bluetooth sharing option, you can check the classic network adapter settings.

  1. Press Windows key + R.
  2. Type ncpa.cpl.
  3. Press Enter.
  4. Right-click the internet-connected adapter.
  5. Select Properties.
  6. Open the Sharing tab.
  7. Check Allow other network users to connect through this computer's Internet connection.
  8. If Windows provides a Bluetooth network adapter in the destination list, select it.
  9. Select OK.

The exact options depend on the Windows version, installed Bluetooth driver, and network adapters.

Important: Use Mobile Hotspot and Bluetooth as the first method on current Windows versions. The classic ICS configuration is better treated as an alternative troubleshooting method rather than the main procedure.

Mobile Hotspot Is Usually Better Than Bluetooth

Windows 11 Mobile Hotspot settings for sharing an internet connection

Bluetooth PAN is useful when you specifically need Bluetooth networking.

However, Wi-Fi is normally faster and provides better range.

Windows Mobile Hotspot can share an internet connection over Wi-Fi. If both PCs have Wi-Fi adapters, this is usually the easier option.

To use Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspot on Windows 11:

  1. Open Settings > Network & internet > Mobile hotspot.
  2. Select the connection to share.
  3. Under Share over, select Wi-Fi.
  4. Turn on Mobile hotspot.
  5. Connect the second PC to the displayed Wi-Fi network.

Bluetooth PAN vs Wi-Fi Hotspot vs Ethernet

Method Speed Range Setup Best use
Bluetooth PAN Lower Short Moderate Quick short-range sharing
Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspot Higher Longer Easy Most PC-to-PC sharing
Ethernet Highest and stable Cable length Easy Reliable local connection
USB Bluetooth adapter Same Bluetooth limits Short Easy Adding Bluetooth to a PC

Do You Still Need CCProxy?

No.

You do not need CCProxy or similar proxy software for normal Windows Bluetooth internet sharing.

Modern Windows provides built-in internet sharing and Bluetooth networking features. Use Mobile Hotspot, Bluetooth PAN, and Windows networking features instead of relying on old proxy-based instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share internet between two Windows PCs using Bluetooth?

Yes. Windows supports Bluetooth Personal Area Networking, or BTPAN, for sharing internet connectivity between compatible devices.

Does Bluetooth internet sharing work in Windows 11?

Yes, Windows 11 supports sharing an internet connection over Bluetooth through Mobile Hotspot and connecting to Bluetooth networks through BTPAN.

Does Bluetooth internet sharing work in Windows 10?

Yes. Windows 10 supports Bluetooth networking and BTPAN. However, Microsoft ended Windows 10 support on October 14, 2025.

Do both PCs need Bluetooth?

Yes. Both PCs need Bluetooth for a direct Bluetooth PAN connection.

If a PC does not have built-in Bluetooth, you can add it with a compatible USB Bluetooth adapter.

Do I need a Wi-Fi router?

No. The host PC can share its existing internet connection directly with the client PC over Bluetooth.

Is Bluetooth internet sharing faster than Wi-Fi?

No. Bluetooth generally provides lower network performance and shorter range than Wi-Fi. If both PCs support Wi-Fi, Mobile Hotspot is usually the better choice.

Why can't I see Join Personal Area Network?

The option can vary depending on your Windows version, Bluetooth adapter, driver, and the capabilities exposed by the Bluetooth device.

Make sure the PCs are paired, Bluetooth is enabled, and the host PC has Bluetooth sharing enabled. Updating the Bluetooth driver can also help.

Can I use a USB Bluetooth dongle?

Yes. A compatible USB Bluetooth adapter can add Bluetooth to a PC that does not have built-in Bluetooth.

Do I need CCProxy?

No. CCProxy is not required for normal Windows Bluetooth internet sharing.

Can I share an Ethernet connection over Bluetooth?

Yes. Windows Mobile Hotspot can share an Ethernet internet connection, including over Bluetooth.

Final Thoughts

Sharing internet between two PCs over Bluetooth can be useful when you do not have an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi connection available.

The current Windows approach uses Mobile Hotspot and Bluetooth on the host PC, followed by a Bluetooth Personal Area Network connection on the client PC.

For everyday use, a Wi-Fi Mobile Hotspot is usually faster and easier. Bluetooth PAN remains a useful short-range option when you specifically need Bluetooth networking.

If the Bluetooth PAN connection does not appear, check Bluetooth pairing, Mobile Hotspot settings, the Bluetooth driver, and the Bluetooth networking adapter before moving to the older Internet connection sharing settings.

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