Windows Network Suddenly Stops Working – Troubleshoot File/Printer Access (Technical Guide)

 

Windows Network Access Stops:

Troubleshoot for File/Printer Sharing

*Advanced Guide for Windows 10/11

If a previously working Windows network suddenly stops functioning—e.g., users can no longer access server shares, mapped drives, or network printers—this guide outlines what to check to restore connectivity.

*For an easier troubleshooting tutorial, please visit/use our "Easy Guide"

1. Ensure Network Discovery and File Sharing Are Still Enabled:

Sometimes updates or settings changes can disable these features.

Steps:

• Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center

• Click Change advanced sharing settings

• Under Private network, make sure:

  • ✅ “Turn on network discovery”

  • ✅ “Turn on file and printer sharing”

• Click Save changes if anything was modified.

🔁 Repeat on affected systems to ensure they can see and be seen on the network.

2. Check Network Profile: Ensure It’s Set to Private:

If Windows changed the network type from Private to Public, access to shared resources may be blocked.

Steps:

• Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Status

• Click Properties under the active network

• Set Network profile to Private

3. Verify Dependency Services Are Running:

Several Windows services must be active for network discovery and sharing to function properly.

Steps:

• Press Win + R, type services.msc, press Enter

• Ensure these services are set to Automatic and Running:

  • Function Discovery Resource Publication

  • DNS Client

  • SSDP Discovery

  • UPnP Device Host

• If any are disabled, right-click > Properties, set Startup type to Automatic, and click Start.

4. Check Windows Firewall Settings

The firewall may be blocking network traffic after a system update or policy change.

Steps:

• Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall

• Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall

• Make sure:

  • ✅ Network Discovery is allowed on Private networks

  • ✅ File and Printer Sharing is allowed on Private networks

5. Check SMB Protocol Support:

If server shares aren’t accessible, make sure SMB is enabled (especially for older file servers or NAS devices).

Steps:

• Press Win + R, type optionalfeatures.exe, press Enter

• Scroll down and confirm:

  • ✅ SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support is checked (only for legacy compatibility)

• Click OK and restart if changes were made

⚠️ SMBv1 is deprecated due to security risks. Use it only if required and isolate legacy devices.

6. IP Address or DNS Conflicts

Check for duplicate IPs, DHCP issues, or DNS resolution problems—especially if only some users are affected.

Steps:

• Open Command Prompt, type ipconfig /all

• Check for:

  • A valid IPv4 address (e.g., 192.168.x.x)

  • A valid Default Gateway

  • A correct DNS server

• Try pinging the server by IP: ping 192.168.x.x

• Try pinging the server by name: ping SERVERNAME

If DNS fails, try flushing the cache:

ipconfig /flushdns

7. Credential Manager Issues or Password Prompts

If users are prompted for credentials when accessing shares or can't connect at all:

Steps:

• Open Control Panel > Credential Manager

• Remove saved credentials for the server or share

• Reconnect and re-enter correct credentials if prompted

8. Check Server-Side Settings

If multiple users are affected, the issue could be on the server or host PC:

• Restart the file server or printer host

• Check sharing permissions and NTFS permissions

• Make sure no Windows Updates or Group Policy changes altered network rules

• Ensure the server's network profile is set to Private

• If using Windows 10/11 Pro: Ensure the system isn’t accidentally joined to a different workgroup or domain

9. Power-Saving or Sleep Settings

Some adapters or PCs may disable network adapters in sleep mode.

Steps:

• Open Device Manager > Network adapters

• Right-click your adapter > Properties > Power Management

• Uncheck: “Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power”

10. Reset Network Stack (As a Last Resort)

Use this if all else fails, and only on the affected machine(s):

Command Prompt (Admin):

netsh int ip reset
netsh winsock reset
ipconfig /release
ipconfig /renew
ipconfig /flushdns

Restart the PC after running these commands.

Hopefully one of those repairs did the trick and network access is operational again!

Need More Help?

If you're still having issues with network sharing or printer access, it might require direct diagnostics.

📞 Pacific Northwest Computers offers remote and onsite support across:
Vancouver WA, Battle Ground WA, Camas WA, Washougal WA, Longview WA, Kelso WA, and Portland OR

We can help you get your network working again quickly and securely!!

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