Share via

Accessing a drive connected to router

Anonymous
2023-03-17T22:05:35+00:00

I have a hard disk connected to my router's USB port. (I confirmed that the HD is compatible with the router).

My goal is to use this HD as a 'network attached storage' so other computers on the same wireless network can access to HD to add files to it or download anything that's on the drive, like pictures.

I tried several suggested solutions offered on these support pages and nothing worked. I cannot even map the drive to my desktop PC that is connected to the router with a wire.

The weird thing is that the router functions as a DNLA server so my network streamer has access to all the music files on it. The DNLA and SMB are enabled on the router.

When I click Network the HD is not visible. It shows up as a media server, though.

Windows 10 Pro, version 22H2, OS build 19045.2604, Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.4190.0

AMD Ryzen 5 3600 6-Core Processor 3.60 GHz, 32.0 GB

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Internet and connectivity

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

14 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2023-03-17T22:37:45+00:00

    Hi, I'm Elise, and I'd be happy to help with your issue.

    If you open file explore and type in the address bar and press enter:

    \192.168.0.1

    But replace this IP with the actual address of your router, this may allow access.

    It may also be that you need to enable the SMBv1 protocol to access the device, can you try follow these steps if you still cannot access.

    Open Control Panel.

    Click on Programs.

    Click on Turn Windows features on or off link.

    Expand the SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support option.

    Check the SMB 1.0/CIFS Client option.

    Click the OK button.

    Click the Restart now button.

    Please let me know if you need any further assistance.

    Kind Regards,

    Elise

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2023-03-18T19:06:00+00:00

    To access the network drive via files explorer you need to put two backslash in front of the ip address e.g. \192.168.0.1

    7 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2023-03-19T21:33:25+00:00

    That great that you’ve got access now.

    What was the issue when trying to map the drive, you should be able to just copy the address you gained access with into the map network drive window and it should prompt for the credentials to save these.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2023-03-19T16:20:55+00:00

    Thanks! Now I’m making progress :)

    I get the pop up where I need to enter the username and password for the router. Once I enter the info the drive becomes accessible. However, I was not able to map the drive so I created a shortcut. Now when I click on the short cut I get the log in screen. My goal is to access the drive without typing username/password everytime.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2023-03-18T14:26:15+00:00

    I don’t have any problem connecting to the router. My problem is that other computers on the network do not ‘see’ the drive.

    By the way, this is a new router and I had the same problem with the old one. Therefore, I think it is not related to the router.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments