Windows11 network discovery and file sharing stops working for long periods of time

Question

I have had this problem for months and can find no answer. I keep checking my network and I have a private network with network discovery and file sharing turned on. Everything is set up the way it is supposed to be. For no reason, network discovery no longer works even though it is set up correctly. When I use file manager and click on Network, not even my own computer shows up. My network printer and TV are there, not the computer I am using nor the network computer I want to use. I checked the windows firewall, and it is set up correctly and should not block me. Again, the computer I am using does not show up. This week, in spite of many restarts, my computer did not show up in the network. Then, yesterday, with my doing nothing to change things, my computer and the network computer showed up, but I could not see the files on the computer. A few hours later, the files showed up and I can use file sharing until it dies again. I back up my computer on a USB drive on the remote computer every night using the windows scheduler. I don't know if that might cause the problem. If I see an error message in the morning, then I know network discovery and file sharing have gone down again.

Answer 1

Hello,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community forum.

The network discovery and file sharing issue you're facing could be caused by various factors. Here are some common solutions:

1. Check Network Settings: Make sure your network is set to Private and that Network Discovery and File Sharing are enabled. Path: Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settings.
2. Check Relevant Services: Ensure the following services are running:

Function Discovery Provider Host

Function Discovery Resource Publication

SSDP Discovery

UPnP Device Host

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Check and restart these services in the "Services" app.

1. Update Network Drivers: Check and update your network adapter drivers. Path: Device Manager → Network Adapters → Right-click and update.
2. Firewall Settings: Check if Windows Firewall or third-party security software is interfering with file sharing. Try temporarily disabling the firewall.
3. Reset Network Settings: Open Command Prompt (Administrator) and run the following commands to reset the network stack:

netsh int ip reset

netsh winsock reset

1. Check Event Viewer: Look for any errors or warnings related to the network in Event Viewer.
2. Backup Conflicts: If you're backing up every night, ensure the backup tool isn't interfering with file sharing.

These steps can help resolve the issue. If the problem persists, consider deeper hardware or system checks.

Answer 2

Hello,

Thank you for posting in Microsoft Community forum.

The network discovery and file sharing issue you're facing could be caused by various factors. Here are some common solutions:

1. Check Network Settings: Make sure your network is set to Private and that Network Discovery and File Sharing are enabled. Path: Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change advanced sharing settings.
2. Check Relevant Services: Ensure the following services are running:

Function Discovery Provider Host

Function Discovery Resource Publication

SSDP Discovery

UPnP Device Host

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper Check and restart these services in the "Services" app.

1. Update Network Drivers: Check and update your network adapter drivers. Path: Device Manager → Network Adapters → Right-click and update.
2. Firewall Settings: Check if Windows Firewall or third-party security software is interfering with file sharing. Try temporarily disabling the firewall.
3. Reset Network Settings: Open Command Prompt (Administrator) and run the following commands to reset the network stack:

netsh int ip reset

netsh winsock reset

1. Check Event Viewer: Look for any errors or warnings related to the network in Event Viewer.
2. Backup Conflicts: If you're backing up every night, ensure the backup tool isn't interfering with file sharing.

These steps can help resolve the issue. If the problem persists, consider deeper hardware or system checks.

Hi Ms. Lu, I have experienced a very similar situation today with Windows 11 not allowing access to my local NAS after a Windows update. I have followed your directions as given and still can NOT access my OPENMEDIAVAULT NAS.

My internet connection on the machine in question continues to work for all data access through the router and the WiFi adapter in the Lenovo ThinkCentre. I have two other computers connected to the system via ethernet that continue to access the NAS OK. I also have a Windows 10 machine using WiFi that continues to access the NAS.
It it obvious that something changed my ThinkCentre Windows 11 machine during the update today 21 Feb 2025 that has caused the inability to access my NAS server by WiFi.
Thank you in advance for your advise relative to fixing my issue.
Best Regards,
Ed

Answer 3

I have resolved the inability to access my NAS resulting from an update from Microsoft on my Windows 11 machine with 24H2.
The solution is on Youtube by "Undiluted Tech"; search for the title of the video "Fix Path Not Found Error 0x80070035 Windows 11 Pro 24H2". He does an excellent video that resolved the problem in a few minutes.
Note you will have to have "administrative rights" to make the required updates.
I hope this saves you hours of work trouble shooting the issue.

Regards