Very specific issue: using a laptop as hotspot while having VPN on

VPN Forum
1

Hello all,

I need to attach the work laptop to my personal laptop via hotspot. This works normally, but now that I got a VPN connected to a server, it does not anymore.

Any device that usually would connect to my laptop’s hotspot fail to do so now.

Any advice?

2

work laptop to my personal laptop

What are they using for internet connectivity, Ethernet or WiFi?

3

So, to clarify it seems that you installed a VPN on your personal laptop and now it doesn’t work as a hotspot like it used to.

When you say fails to connect, I presume you mean fails to get an internet connection. Connecting and getting internet are two different things.

I suspect the VPN software on your LT is client side only and not designed to provide server function.

4

Apologies for the late comment. For anyone else reading this, you can download an application called WireSock to setup a VPN-protected Wi-Fi Hotspot on Windows. This application works with any VPN service provider that provides Wireguard connection files. It took me about 5 minutes to setup and works perfectly.

5

Everything you stated is correct. On the last point, would you have a recommendation on an alternative method or a vpn that can provide a server function?

6

I don’t know what control you have over the equipment you use, but there are routers that will provide direct VPN service to all connected devices. Since you are providing a hotspot I’m guessing that you don’t have access to the router.

I have read about travel routers that provide VPN to connected devices.

I’m thinking, remove VPN from LT, put VPN on travel router and connect all devices to the travel router.

—— Edit

Google “reddit vpn travel routers” and you’ll find lots of discussion here.

7

Cheers! You are the best