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Windows 11 Network Sharing Not Working? How to Turn it On
In some cases, a router reset saves you troubleshoot time
5 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Network sharing allows users to transfer and receive files with other users on a local network. It’s great for offices or people with multiple devices at home. But many users, after upgrading to Windows 11, reported that network discovery is not working.
This could be due to several reasons, including issues with the installer version of the OS. Also, misconfigured settings, absence of critical services, or lack of permissions can lead to network sharing not working in Windows 11.
Many with Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices on the local network noticed that though the device running Windows 11 could access the Windows 10 PC, the reverse is not true. Here upgrading all devices to Windows 11 may work.
So, let’s now walk you through the most effective fixes.
Why is my Network discovery not working?
Network discovery is a Windows feature that allows your computer to see other devices and shared resources on your local network. If network discovery is not working, it could be due to several reasons, including:
How do I turn on network discovery on Windows 11?
As you can see, you can find information about each network profile directly in the settings app. Once you enable the Private profile, you can share files with other devices on that network.
How do I force network discovery?
Sometimes, changes to your system will not apply until you reboot your PC. That allows it to reconfigure and load the OS with the new setup.
So if you have not tried that already, we advise you to do it. Many users report being able to use Network Discovery without an issue after a simple restart.
Also, check all the suggestions in this guide to learn how to configure your file permissions, share settings correctly, and more. Even if Network Discovery is enabled, other settings may prevent it from working correctly.
How can I fix Network discovery if it’s not working on Windows 11?
1. Update Windows 11
Often, it might be an issue with the current version of Windows 11, leading to network sharing not working in Windows 11. If that’s the case, updating the OS should fix the error.
2. Run the critical services
Once done, check if the network sharing not working issue in Windows 11 is fixed.
3. Reconfigure sharing settings
Once done, restart the computer for the changes to effect, and verify if the network sharing starts working in Windows 11.
4. Provide the necessary permissions
Once done, the network sharing not working issue in Windows 11 should be fixed, and you can start sharing files with other devices on the local network.
Also, find out what to do if youcannot access the shared folder in Windows 11since many reported encountering this issue.
Tell us which fix worked for you in the comments section below.
More about the topics:Fix network issues,Windows 11
Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim has always been fond of technology, be it scrolling through the settings on his iPhone, Android device, or Windows PC. He’s specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
Long-time Windows user, Kazim is ready to provide a solution for your every software & hardware error on Windows 11, Windows 10 and any previous iteration. He’s also one of our experts in Networking & Security.
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Kazim Ali Alvi
Windows Hardware Expert
Kazim is specialized in hardware devices, always ready to remove a screw or two to find out the real cause of a problem.
