The Windows Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) tool is pretty awesome. It allows you to share an Internet connection with other devices on a local area network (LAN).
However, you can often encounter problems while using this tool. For example, you may have recently seen an error message stating “An error occurred while enabling Internet Connection Sharing”.
Well, we have solutions for you. So, let’s dive in and find out how you can fix this “ICS tool” error.
You will probably run into problems if you do not enable the ICS tool correctly. So, let’s explore how you can enable this tool the right way:
- Type Show network connections in the Start menu search bar and select the Best Match. This should open the “Network Connections” window.
- Right click on the Wireless option and select Properties.
- Navigate to the Share tongue.
- Check the Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection box, then press OKAY. This should activate the ICS tool.
Also, make sure the host PC has a strong internet connection. Otherwise, the ICS tool might experience various issues. To start, you may consider testing your Wi-Fi speed and refreshing your connection.
Want to disable the ICS tool later? Follow these steps:
- Open the Network connections window by applying the previous methods.
- Right click on the Wireless option, select Propertiesthen access the Share tongue.
- Uncheck the Allow other network users to connect through this computer’s Internet connection box and press OKAY.
If the problem persists, you can try changing a few “ICS Service” settings.
2. Configure relevant ICS service settings
Sometimes the ICS tool fails because some services are not configured correctly. So, let’s explore how you can change a few service settings to fix the problem:
- Type Services in the Start menu search bar and select the Best Match.
- Right click on the Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) service.
- Select Properties among the options.
Click it Start type drop-down menu and select Automatique. From there, press the Begin button.
Then navigate to the Dependencies tongue. This is where you will find the services that the ICS tool depends on.
Looking at the options on the “Dependencies” tab, it is clear that the ICS tool depends on the “Base Filtering Engine” service. Let’s also configure the parameters of this service:
- Close the ICS Properties the window.
- Scroll up the Services window and right-click Basic filtering engine service.
- Select Properties among the options.
- Click it Start type drop-down menu and select Automatique.
- press the Begin button, press Applythen press OKAY.
3. Use built-in troubleshooters
Windows built-in troubleshooters can also help you. So let’s see how you can run some of these amazing tools.
To get started, run the “Internet Connections” troubleshooter by following these steps:
- Type Settings in the Start menu search bar and select the Best match.
- Click on Update and security then select Troubleshoot on the left.
- Select the Internet connection troubleshooter on the right side.
- press the Run the troubleshooter and follow the on-screen steps.
Next, run the “Network adapters” troubleshooter by following these steps:
- Open the Troubleshoot settings window by applying the previous steps.
- Click it Network adapter troubleshooter on the right side.
- press the Run the troubleshooter then follow the on-screen instructions.
From there, run the “Incoming Connections” troubleshooter by following these steps:
- Open the Troubleshoot settings according to the previous steps.
- Click it Inbound Connection Troubleshooter on the right side.
- press the Run the troubleshooter button then follow the instructions.
Finally, restart your device to apply all these changes.
4. Repair network drivers
The problem in question can be caused by corrupted or incompatible network drivers. So, you can solve it by repairing these drivers.
First, let’s tackle the problem by updating the network drivers:
- Hurry Win + X to open the Quick Access menu.
- Select Device Manager and double-click the Network adapters possibility of extending it.
- Right-click on the appropriate network adapter and select the Update Driver option.
Select Automatically searches for updated driver software on the next screen. From there, follow the on-screen instructions and then restart your device.
If the previous method did not help, try reinstalling the network adapters.
Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Expand the Network adapters option by applying the previous methods.
- Right-click on the affected network adapter and select the Uninstall device option.
- Navigate to the Stock tab and select Check for hardware changes. This should automatically reinstall the network adapters.
- Restart your device to apply these changes.
5. Log in with another account
Are you still having trouble solving the problem? Maybe the problem is with the account you are using.
So you can solve the problem by logging in with another account.
Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Type Settings in the Start menu search bar and select the Best match.
- Select Accounts among the options.
- Click it Email accounts option on the left side.
- Select Add a Microsoft account on the right side, then follow the on-screen instructions.
You can also edit your account details in the ICS service settings.
Here are the steps you need to follow:
- Hurry Win + R to open the Run Command dialog box.
- Type services.msc and press OKAY to open the Services window.
- Locate it Internet Connection Sharing service and right-click on it.
- Select Properties among the options.
- Navigate to the To log in tab and click This account option.
- press the Browse then select the relevant account.
- Hurry OKAY to save changes.
Finally, press Apply then press OKAY in the “Connection” tab.
6. Remove Corrupt Third-Party Programs
In rare cases, the problem may be caused by a faulty third-party program. So, you can solve it by updating any suspicious program.
Alternatively, you can also consider deleting any app that seems problematic.
If you decide to remove the faulty applications, use a reliable Windows uninstaller. This way, you will be able to remove residual files that may remain and cause further problems.
You’ve overcome your “internet connection sharing” problems
The ICS tool allows you to easily share an Internet connection with anyone. However, the tool has its flaws and often encounters problems.
If you face any issues while using this tool, apply one of the methods we have covered. If the problem persists, try other tricks to get an internet connection without an internet service provider.