Windows 11’s ICS freezing whenever it’s enabled/disabled.

Troubleshooting Windows 11: ICS Freezing When Toggling Internet Connection Sharing

Many users rely on Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) to distribute network connectivity from a primary PC to other devices, such as smartphones or VR gear. However, some Windows 11 users encounter an issue where toggling ICS causes system freezes, prompting temporary workarounds like system resets or restarts that can be time-consuming and disruptive.

Understanding the Setup

In this particular scenario, the user’s setup involves a PuPpis S1 router connected to a Windows 11 PC via a USB port. The goal is to share the PC’s internet connection over the router to enable Wi-Fi access for mobile devices and VR gaming. The network layout includes:

• Ethernet 1 (Internet): The primary internet connection
• Ethernet 2 (PuPpis S1): The connection to the router
• Radmin VPN: A virtual private network connection for remote access

The user aims to enable ICS on Ethernet 1 so that Ethernet 2 (the router connection) can access the internet through the Windows PC.

The Problem

While toggling ICS on or off, the system occasionally becomes unresponsive or “freezes.” Specifically:

• Activating ICS on Ethernet 1 may cause the PC to freeze intermittently.
• Disabling ICS sometimes results in similar system hangs.
• The issue is inconsistent and happens on some days but not others.
• A full network reset or PC restart has been the remedy, but this approach is inconvenient and undesirable.

Common Symptoms and Impact

• System slowdowns or complete freeze during the enable/disable process
• Need for forced restart or network reset
• Disruption of internet sharing functionality until the reset

Potential Causes and Troubleshooting Strategies

While the root cause remains unclear, here are some common considerations and steps that may help resolve or mitigate this issue:

1. Update Network Drivers and Windows

   Ensure that all network adapter drivers are fully up to date. Compatibility issues or bugs in outdated drivers can cause ICS instability.

2. Check for Windows Updates

   Microsoft regularly releases updates that fix known bugs. Confirm that your Windows 11 installation is current.

3. Review Network Settings

   Verify that the network interfaces are configured correctly:

   • Confirm that Ethernet 1 is set as the primary internet connection.
   • Ensure ICS is enabled only on the intended interface.
   • Check for any conflicting