Provides the ability to share a cellular data connection with another device.
Default Settings
| Startup type: | Manual |
| Display name: | Windows Mobile Hotspot Service |
| Service name: | icssvc |
| Service type: | share |
| Error control: | normal |
| Group: | TDI |
| Object: | NT Authority\LocalService |
| Path: | %SystemRoot%\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNetworkRestricted -p |
| File: | %SystemRoot%\System32\tetheringservice.dll |
| Registry key: | HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\icssvc |
| Privileges: |
|
Default Behavior
Windows Mobile Hotspot Service is a Win32 service. In Windows 10 it is starting only if the user, an application or another service starts it. When the Windows Mobile Hotspot Service is started, it is running as NT Authority\LocalService in a shared process of svchost.exe along with other services. If Windows Mobile Hotspot Service fails to start, the failure details are being recorded into Event Log. Then Windows 10 will start up and notify the user that the icssvc service has failed to start due to the error.
Dependencies
Windows Mobile Hotspot Service cannot be started under any conditions, if the following services are disabled, deleted or working improperly:
- Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
- Windows Connection Manager
Restore Default Startup Configuration of Windows Mobile Hotspot Service
Before you begin doing this, make sure that all the services on which Windows Mobile Hotspot Service depends are configured by default and function properly. See the list of dependencies above.
1. Run the Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. Copy the command below, paste it into the command window and press ENTER:
sc config icssvc start= demand
3. Close the command window and restart the computer.
The icssvc service is using the tetheringservice.dll file that is located in the C:\Windows\System32 directory. If the file is removed or corrupted, read this article to restore its original version from Windows 10 installation media.
Provides the ability to share a cellular data connection with another device.
This service also exists in Windows 10.
Startup Type
| Windows 11 version | Home | Pro | Education | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21H2 | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| 22H2 | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| 23H2 | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
| 24H2 | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
Default Properties
| Display name: | Windows Mobile Hotspot Service |
| Service name: | icssvc |
| Type: | share |
| Path: | %WinDir%\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNetworkRestricted -p |
| File: | %WinDir%\System32\tetheringservice.dll |
| Error control: | normal |
| Group: | TDI |
| Object: | NT Authority\LocalService |
| Privileges: |
|
Default Behavior
The Windows Mobile Hotspot Service is running as NT Authority\LocalService in a shared process of svchost.exe. Other services might run in the same process. If Windows Mobile Hotspot Service fails to start, the error is logged. Windows 11 startup proceeds, but a message box is displayed informing you that the icssvc service has failed to start.
Dependencies
Windows Mobile Hotspot Service is unable to start, if at least one of the following services is stopped or disabled:
- Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
- Windows Connection Manager
Restore Default Startup Type for Windows Mobile Hotspot Service
Automated Restore
1. Select your Windows 11 edition and release, and then click on the Download button below.
2. Save the RestoreWindowsMobileHotspotServiceWindows11.bat file to any folder on a local drive such as SSD or a hard disk.
3. Right-click the downloaded batch file and select Properties.
4. Check the Unblock checkbox and click OK.
5. Right-click the batch file again and select Run as administrator.
6. Restart the computer to save changes.
Note. Make sure that the tetheringservice.dll file exists in the %WinDir%\System32 folder. If this file is missing you can try to restore it from your Windows 11 installation media.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
The Windows Mobile Hotspot Service (icssvc) is a feature in Windows that allows you to turn your computer into a mobile hotspot, enabling other devices to connect to the internet through your computer’s internet connection. While this feature can be convenient in certain situations, there may be times when you want to disable it. You can disable the Windows Mobile Hotspot Service using PowerShell easily:
$ServiceName = “icssvc”
if (Get-Service $ServiceName -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue) {
Stop-Service $ServiceName
Set-Service $ServiceName -StartupType Disabled
Write-Host “The Windows Mobile Hotspot Service ($ServiceName) has been disabled.”
}
else {
Write-Host “The Windows Mobile Hotspot Service ($ServiceName) is not installed.”
}
Quick Tips
- Disable the power save option that turns off the hotspot on your Windows PC when not in use.
- You can also try restarting the Windows Mobile Hotspot service to fix the issue.
- You can extend the time after which the mobile hotspot automatically turns off when no devices are connected, or the shared network has no internet.
Fix 1: Disable Mobile Hotspot Power Saving
Disable the power saving feature to prevent Windows from automatically turning off the hotspot when not in use.
Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile hotspot and ensure that the Mobile hotspot is enabled. At the bottom of the Mobile hotspot menu, turn off the Power saving option.
Fix 2: Restart Windows Mobile Hotspot Service
If the Windows Mobile Hotspot Service has a glitch, the hotspot can automatically turn off. You can fix this by restarting the service.
Step 1: Open the Services app from the Start menu.
Step 2: On the list of services, locate and right-click on Windows Mobile Hotspot Service > select Restart.
Also Read: How to open Services on Windows
Fix 3: Increase Mobile Hotspot Timeout Limits
By default, the Windows mobile hotspot service turns off automatically under two conditions:
- Peerless Timeout: If no devices are connected, the hotspot will turn off after 5 minutes, which can be extended to 120 minutes.
- Connection Timeout: If there is no internet connection on the shared network, the hotspot will turn off after 20 minutes, which can be increased to 60 minutes.
Follow the steps below to increase the Mobile hotspot timeout limits.
Note: Before proceeding with the steps below, we strongly recommend backing up Registry files. That allows for easy recovery of files should anything go wrong, broken, or accidentally deleted during the process.
Step 1: Open the Registry Editor app from the Start Menu.
Step 2: To modify the Peerless Timeout, paste the directory below into the Registry Editor’s address bar, and hit Enter on your keyboard.
HKLM\System\ControlSet001\Services\ICSSVC\Settings
Step 3: To change Peerless Timeout, double-click on PeerlessTimeoutEnabled.
Step 4: Set the value data to 120 and tap OK.
That will change the peerless connection timeout to 120 minutes. Next, create a new registry key to change the default Connection Timeout for your PC’s mobile hotspot.
Step 5: Right-click on any space within the same (HKLM\System\ControlSet001\Services\ICSSVC\Settings) directory and select New.
Step 6: Select DWORD (32-bit) from the context menu.
Step 7: Name the registry key PublicConnectionTimeout and hit Enter on your keyboard.
Step 8: Now, double-click the newly-created PublicConnectionTimeout registry key, change its Value data to 60, and tap OK.
Restart your computer to effect the changes.
Also Read: How to fix Windows mobile hotspot grayed out
Fix 4: Change Power Management Settings for Wi-Fi Adapter
Turn off the power-saving setting for your Wi-Fi adapter that turns it off when not in use.
Step 1: Open the Device Manager app and click to expand the Network Adapters menu. Right-click on the Wi-Fi adapter.
Step 2: Go to Power Management, and turn off the toggle for Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. Click on OK to save changes.
Also Read: How to fix mobile hotspot not working on Windows 11
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Display Name:
Windows Mobile Hotspot Service
Description:
Provides the ability to share a cellular data connection with another device.
Default Startup Type:
Manual (Trigger Start)
Image Path:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe -k LocalServiceNetworkRestricted -p
DLL File Path:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\tetheringservice.dll
Dependencies:
The service depends on the following system components to function properly:
- RpcSs
- wcmsvc
System components that depend on this service to function properly:
- None
Log On As:
NT Authority\LocalService
Additional Information:
None at this time