All the Ways to Connect Your PC to Internet Without Wi-Fi or Ethernet

You may be fooled into thinking that if your PC has neither Wi-Fi or ethernet capabilities, you won’t be able to connect to the internet. In reality, there are in fact several other ways to get online, from USB and Bluetooth tethering to MoCA adaptors that turn coaxial cables into high-speed wired internet connections.

This guide will give you all the alternative options you can use to connect PC to the internet without Wi-Fi.

Tethering to a Cell Phone

If you have a mobile device with access to the internet, then the easiest option is to tether to that and use its internet connection. You can do this either via Bluetooth or by physically connecting via USB and a suitable cable.

USB Tethering

Step 1. Connect your Android or iPhone to your PC via USB cable.

Step 2. Enable tethering on the phone. For Android OS, select “USB tethering” in the notification panel, which will show up once you connect. For iPhone, go to “Settings,” “Mobile Service,” “Personal Hotspot,” and enable “Allow Others to Join.”

Bluetooth Tethering

Tethering via Bluetooth is a similar process to connecting via USB.

Step 1. For Android systems, enable “Bluetooth tethering” in Personal Hotspot settings. For iPhone, follow the same USB tethering instructions above to first allow others to join the phone (but without the cable).

Step 2. Next, open “Settings” on your PC, then “Network & Internet.”

Step 3. Click “Wi-Fi” and then select “Show available networks.” Choose the iPhone’s hotspot network name from the list.

Step 4. Enter the password shown in your iPhone’s personal hotspot settings, located under the “Allow Other to Join” button.

USB Wi-Fi Dongle

If you’d prefer not to have to rely on tethering to a cell phone, a USB Wi-Fi dongle is an excellent option to connect laptop to internet without Wi-Fi that will add Wi-Fi functionality to a PC that doesn’t have it built in. With most adaptors being plug and play, it’s as simple as finding a spare USB port, connecting the adaptor, adjusting the antenna for best coverage, and away you go.

MoCA Adaptors

If your home has existing cable TV (coaxial) outlets, you can turn them into high-speed wired connections throughout the house using MoCA adaptors.

You’ll need to plug one adaptor in near your router and plug the other one into an outlet near your PC, finally connecting it to the computer via an Ethernet to USB adaptor.

Powerline Adaptors

In much the same way as you can use existing coaxial cabling, you can also utilize the electrical wiring in your house by connecting it to Powerline adaptors, which will use the home wiring circuits to transmit the internet from the router to your PC.

One adaptor should be plugged in near the router and the other near your PC. Again, you’ll connect using an Ethernet cable plugged into the router, and another Ethernet cable attached to an Ethernet-to-USB adaptor, and then into your PC.