Cannot access wdmycloud drive on ethernet network

Question

Cannot connect to my wdmycloud network drive from new Windows 11 computer. Can connect to network drive with other computers running Window 10.

Answer 1

Hi Dave Matthews,

Since the WD My Cloud is accessible from your Windows 10 PCs, the network storage device itself appears to be reachable on your network. In situations like this, it can be helpful to check whether the Windows 11 PC is using the same network profile and discovery settings as the other devices.

You can try the following checks:

1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Ethernet.
2. Confirm the network is set to Private rather than Public.
3. Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Advanced sharing settings.
4. Turn on Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing.
5. Restart the PC and try browsing to the WD My Cloud again.

If the device still does not appear, check whether the WD My Cloud is visible under Network in File Explorer from the Windows 11 PC and note any specific error message that appears when attempting to connect. That information can help narrow down whether this is a discovery issue or an authentication/security compatibility issue.

Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

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Answer 2

Since the WD My Cloud is reachable from other Windows 10 PCs, the drive and Ethernet network are likely working, and the issue is likely specific to the new Windows 11 PC.

Try these steps in order:

1. Verify the Ethernet connection on the Windows 11 PC.
   • Make sure the Ethernet cable is firmly connected to both the router and the PC.
   • If possible, try a different Ethernet cable.
   • If the PC has no built-in Ethernet port, try a USB-to-Ethernet adapter.
2. Confirm the Windows 11 PC can use the same network.
   • If another Windows PC and a USB-to-Ethernet adapter are available, try connecting that PC to the same Ethernet network.
   • If the other PC connects, the problem is likely with the new Windows 11 PC.
3. Try connecting to the WD My Cloud by IP address instead of by device name.
   • Open File Explorer.
   • In the address bar, enter the NAS IP address, for example: \\192.168.1.50
   • This can bypass network discovery issues.
4. Run the Windows network troubleshooter.
   • On Windows 11, start the automated Network and Internet troubleshooter in the Get Help app.
5. Run network reset commands.
   • Open Command Prompt as administrator.
   • Run these commands in this order:
     • netsh winsock reset
     • netsh int ip reset
     • ipconfig /release
     • ipconfig /renew
     • ipconfig /flushdns
   • Then test access to the drive again.
6. If the problem started after a recent update, reinstall the Ethernet adapter driver.
   • Warning: before uninstalling, download the latest network adapter driver from the PC manufacturer on this PC or another PC and save it as a backup.
   • Open Device Manager.
   • Expand Network adapters.
   • Right-click the Ethernet adapter and select Uninstall device.
   • Select Attempt to remove the driver for this device and then Uninstall.
   • Restart the PC. Windows will try to reinstall the driver automatically.
7. Use Network reset only as a last step.
   • Warning: this removes network adapters and resets their settings to default. VPN software or virtual switches may need to be reinstalled, and saved networks may be set to Public.
   • Go to Settings > Network & internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset.
   • Select Reset now > Yes.
   • Restart the PC and test again.

Windows 11 can also block access to some older NAS devices because of stricter SMB security defaults. In similar WD My Cloud cases, access was restored by:

• connecting by IP address first
• relaxing SMB signing requirements
• allowing guest access if the NAS uses guest authentication

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References:

• Fix Ethernet connection problems in Windows
• Cannot Access WD Drive on my Network - Microsoft Q&A