Turn your Samsung Galaxy S3 into a wifi hotspot to share internet with your laptop wirelessly

My Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini WiFi hotspot is okay, but my computer connected to it with a "limited" connection. What does this mean?

My Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini WiFi hotspot is turned on. My computer has connected to it but only in a "limited connection," so I cannot surf the web.

Windows computers often display the "limited connection" message when the connection is so slow that your computer is unable to actually load any pages. However, it sometimes appears even if you can connect to the internet just fine. First, make sure your Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini is in an area with good service. If it's not, and you're connected with fewer than 2 bars or on a network that's not at least 3G, you will need to wait to connect your computer until you're in an area with better service. However, if you have adequate reception on your smartphone, it is an issue with your computer. There are a number of troubleshooting steps that you can follow to try to fix this problem on your computer. This answer will list a few things you can try before you need to call your manufacturer to speak to a customer service representative who can help you further or set up a repair or replacement if it comes to that.

Disabling the message

If you can connect to the internet but this message shows up, you can disable it so you can surf the web without being annoyed by the "limited connection" message.

• Click the Start button.
• Click Control Panel.
• Open Network Connections from the Control Panel.
• Click Local Area Connection, and click Properties.
• Click the General tab.
• Uncheck the box for Notify me when this connection has limited or no connectivity.
• Click OK.

Running the Microsoft Network Troubleshooter software

If you're having issues connecting, you may also want to run the Microsoft Network Troubleshooter software to try to identify and repair your connection issues.

• Click the Start button.
• Click Control Panel.
• Type troubleshooter in the search box, and then click Troubleshooting.
• Click Connect to the Internet under Network and Internet.

The Troubleshooter will now launch and attempt to fix your networking issue.

Fixing your network card's drivers

• Click the Start button.
• Click Control Panel.
• Click System and Maintenance.
• Click System.
• Click Device Manager.
• Click the plus sign next to Network Adapter.
• Right-click the device listed here.
• If there are any marks next to the adapter, it has an issue with its current driver.
• Double-click the device and click Update driver. Follow these instructions.

If none of these troubleshooting steps worked for you, contact the manufacturer of your computer to talk to a customer service representative. Tell them the issues, and make sure that they know you've already troubleshooted the computer with three different methods. At this point, they will likely offer a repair or replacement for your computer. Back up your data before you send your computer out in the unlikely event that your hard drive is stolen, lost, or broken.

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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