Unable to browse shared folder using server name but can using IP address

Question

I can access a shared folder using the IP address of the server eg. \10.x.x.x\e$ but I am unable to access the same folder using the \servername\e$ format.

A ping test to the server name results in successful IP address resolution.

The shared folder is on an Azure virtual machine running Windows server 2016 OS with File and Print services role installed. The machine trying to access the shared folder is also in Azure running Windows server 2016 OS and is on the same subnet.

All was working two days ago with no configuration changes known.

There are no hidden network adapters on either VM.
Local windows firewalls are disabled
Azure File diagnostics show that ports 139 and 445 are open between the two VMs
Both VMs are in the same time zone and have the same time reporting in correctly.

Answer 1

Closing up this question as the matter has miraculously solved itself.