Network Connectivity

Question

Network Connectivity

Steve Kemp 0

I am introducing a new computer to my network. On the new computer I can see all of the other computers on the network and can ping the target computer. I cannot connect to the target computer. Everything on the network is set to private and both computers have the same credentials. I have followed the AI suggestions to fix the connectivity issue - none have worked.

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Answer 1

Hi Steve Kemp,

I understand how inconvenient this can be when the computers can see each other on the network and respond to pings, but the connection itself still cannot be established. Thank you for your patience and for trying the earlier suggestions.

I can see that Q&A Assist has already shared some initial guidance. To help make things clearer and easier to follow, I’d like to summarize the most relevant steps here and add a few additional checks.

Since basic network connectivity appears to be working, the steps below focus on Windows file‑sharing and authentication components, which can sometimes block access even when the network looks healthy.

Step 1: Check required Windows file‑sharing services

On both computers, please verify that the following services are running and set to Automatic:

Press Windows key + R, type services.msc, and press Enter
Locate and confirm these services:
- Server
- Workstation
- Function Discovery Provider Host
- Function Discovery Resource Publication

If any of these services are stopped, please start them and then restart the computer. These services are required for file sharing to work correctly, and connections may fail if they are not running even though the device is visible on the network.

Step 2: Test access using the target computer’s IP address

From the new computer:

Open File Explorer
In the address bar, type \<IP address of the target computer> and press Enter (for example: \192.168.1.25)

Please note whether the behavior is different when using the IP address compared to the computer name, as this helps identify whether name resolution may be a factor.

Step 3: Remove any saved network credentials

On the new computer:

Open Control Panel
Go to Credential Manager
Select Windows Credentials
Remove any entries that reference the target computer (by name or IP)

Saved or outdated credentials can sometimes interfere with network authentication, even when usernames and passwords appear to match.

Step 4: Confirm sharing and security permissions on the target computer

On the target computer:

Right‑click a folder you want to share and select Properties
Go to the Sharing tab and choose Advanced Sharing
Make sure Share this folder is checked
Select Permissions and confirm access is allowed (for testing purposes, you may temporarily allow Everyone)
Also check the Security tab to ensure the same user account has permission at the file system level

Both sharing permissions and security (NTFS) permissions must allow access for the connection to succeed.

After completing the steps above, please try connecting again. If the issue persists, let me know:

What error message appears when the connection fails (if any)
Whether accessing the computer by IP behaves differently than by name

That information will help guide the next steps. Thank you for your time and understanding, and please keep me updated on how it goes.

If you have any further questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

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Answer 2

Since the new PC can see and ping the target but cannot connect, the issue is likely authentication or Windows network configuration rather than basic connectivity.

Try these steps in order:

Verify same network and basic access

On the new PC, open File Explorer and in the address bar type \\<target-computer-name> or \\<target-computer-IP>.
If an error appears like “machine cannot be found on the network” or similar, confirm both PCs are on the same subnet and that you can still ping by name and IP.

Check account status and password on the target PC On the target computer:

Ensure the local user account being used from the new PC is enabled.
Confirm the password for that account is valid and not expired.
If unsure, set a new password for that account and try connecting again from the new PC.

Confirm file and printer sharing and private profile On both PCs (especially the target):

Ensure the network profile is Private (already done per description).
Ensure File and Printer Sharing is turned on for the Private profile.
Ensure Password-protected sharing is configured as expected (if enabled, the same username/password must be used; if disabled, anonymous access may still be blocked by newer security settings).

Test with IP instead of name

From the new PC, in File Explorer, use \\<target-IP> instead of the computer name.
If this works but the name does not, the issue is name resolution; if neither works, the issue is authentication or sharing configuration.

If still failing, use Network Reset as a last resort on the new PC Network reset will remove and reinstall all network adapters and reset settings to defaults (this can fix hidden misconfigurations):

On Windows 11:

Select Start > Settings > Network & internet.
Select Advanced network settings > Network reset.
Select Reset now > Yes.
After restart, reconnect to the network and try accessing the target PC again.

Note: After network reset, VPN clients, virtual switches, and some network software may need to be reinstalled or reconfigured. Network profiles may revert to Public, so set them back to Private and re-enable file sharing as needed.

If the problem persists after these steps, repeat the same checks (account enabled, password valid, file sharing, and optionally network reset) on the target computer as well.

References:

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Network Connectivity

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