kjb0710
asked on
Can't access network shares over wireless on Windows 8.1
Here's the situation - Windows 8.1 laptop on a home wireless network containing a NAS device, a Windows 8.1 desktop, a couple of network-connected Blu-ray players and a printer. Up until a couple of days ago I was able to log on to the wireless network on my laptop and access the shares on the NAS device and desktop but its no longer working. I can't access the shares at all, can't ping them either. The Windows 8.1 desktop has no issues accessing the shares on the NAS. No other issues on the wireless network - I can browse the web fine and print to the printer. I can access everything if I connect directly to the home LAN using a patch cable. The only thing that I've changed on the laptop in the last few days is to start using SkyDrive. What I've done so far:
1. Deleted the wireless network (had to dig around to find out how to do that in Win 8.1 - had to use the command line) and re-connected to it.
2. Double and triple checked all network sharing settings - have tried turning on and back off - no change.
3. Checked the wireless adapter driver - its up to date.
4. As a last resort tried System Restore but it keeps crashing so that's not an option.
5. Tried logging in as a local user on the laptop (rather than my work domain) - still not working.
6. Disabled McAfee anti-virus and tested - not working.
Any ideas for what might be causing this? I can't see how activating SkyDrive would affect wireless network shares but anything is possible! Thanks!
1. Deleted the wireless network (had to dig around to find out how to do that in Win 8.1 - had to use the command line) and re-connected to it.
2. Double and triple checked all network sharing settings - have tried turning on and back off - no change.
3. Checked the wireless adapter driver - its up to date.
4. As a last resort tried System Restore but it keeps crashing so that's not an option.
5. Tried logging in as a local user on the laptop (rather than my work domain) - still not working.
6. Disabled McAfee anti-virus and tested - not working.
Any ideas for what might be causing this? I can't see how activating SkyDrive would affect wireless network shares but anything is possible! Thanks!
What wireless ap are you using. There is a setting in most AP that restricts communication between wireless devices, can you please check.
Not being able to ping the share, is pretty significant. I'd work toward fixing that first. No ping, no network share access... Are you on the same LAN as the NAS device. This almost sounds as if you are connected to a VPN, which would place you on a different LAN, presumably different from the NAS device. Are you using a domain on the same LAN as the NAS device, or is the domain login from another network?
ASKER
Thanks for the replies.
The wireless ap is an Asus RT-N56U. We haven't changed anything on the router at all since installing it a couple of weeks ago. My share access was working up until a couple of days ago.
The domain login is for a work network - not on the same LAN as the NAS device. This is a domain-connected work laptop that I also use to access shares on my home network. When I'm home, I'm using my domain profile but not physically connected to the domain. There have been no changes in the domain policy (I'm the domain admin). I've checked all of my IP settings and I'm definitely on the same subnet as the NAS device when connected to the wifi. I'm not connected to any VPN's - my work VPN isn't compatible with Windows 8.1/IE 11.
I'm stumped.
The wireless ap is an Asus RT-N56U. We haven't changed anything on the router at all since installing it a couple of weeks ago. My share access was working up until a couple of days ago.
The domain login is for a work network - not on the same LAN as the NAS device. This is a domain-connected work laptop that I also use to access shares on my home network. When I'm home, I'm using my domain profile but not physically connected to the domain. There have been no changes in the domain policy (I'm the domain admin). I've checked all of my IP settings and I'm definitely on the same subnet as the NAS device when connected to the wifi. I'm not connected to any VPN's - my work VPN isn't compatible with Windows 8.1/IE 11.
I'm stumped.
ASKER
Also just wanted to add that the Windows 8.1 desktop can connect to the shares on the NAS over the wireless network, so I don't think there's anything on the router that could be blocking it. It seems to be specific to this laptop.
Have you checked the Windows Firewall?
How are the shares accessed, by IP or name? Is the NAS device "seen" on the network and accessed that way?
Most home based routers have stricter rules on the network for wireless connections. Check your router and look around for settings regarding file and folder sharing.
ASKER
Thanks all - Windows Firewall is not enabled and my security software doesn't include firewall. The NAS is accessed by IP address. It shows up under "Network" in file explorer when I'm plugged in with a patch cable but not over wireless (at least not anymore - it used to). I normally connect to it using its ip address and then map a network drive to it. Also wanted to add that I can browse to the NAS using my phone and iPad over wifi - the problem is only on this one laptop.
Is the file explorer for that network (wireless) enabled?
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Glad you have it sorted.
Disregard as a duplicate idea and removed.
ASKER
I resolved the issue myself by removing and re-installing the wifi adapter and assigning a new IP address reservation