Windows 10: File explorer has stopped displaying devices on the network.

Just recently I can no longer see my NAS drive or my own computer under Network in file explorer.

Have tried various fixes to no avail. Can anyone please help.

:)

 

Anyway to REFRESH the Network display in File explorer


@OP
Even if you can right click on the blank area and click on refresh, the list/icon of the removed devices will still be displayed in File Explorer until the Network Cache is refreshed. You can power cycle the router and from your pc, type: ipconfig /flushdns then reboot and eventually will disappear.

 

Network Devices not Showing with File Explorer


I am hoping that somewhere out there may be able to assist with my problem as I have exhausted countless hours on the various Forums and in tweaking my system with no result to date.
The problem is that on my Home Network (Private) my main PC cannot “see” the other devices on the network. I have two laptops, printer and Samba drive (on my D-Link Router) and the only item that shows up is my own PC.
The other PC running Win 10 pro can see ALL devices on the network.
I can reach the other devices by entering L: \\computername and then access the various drives and documents on the device but my PC will not display them using File Explorer.
Also, I have HomeGroup setup and working OK on both PC’s.
My PC is running Win 10 Home Version 1511 Build 10586.36 64bit along with the MS Office Suite 2013.
The solutions tried without success so far include:
Netsh winsock reset
Netsh int ip reset
Ipconfig/release
Ipconfig/renew
Ipconfig/flushdns
Uninstalled Client for Microsoft Networks then reinstalled
Uninstalled the Adaptor drivers the reinstalled
Checked the registry settings to ensure that the Network Category is correctly set to 1 (Private)
Checked and confirmed that all the required Services are running – these include:

• DHCP Client
• Diagnostic Policy Service
• Diagnostic Service Host
• Diagnostic System Host
• DNS Client
• Peer Networking
• Server

plus a few others that I can’t recall.
Deleted all programs from Programs and Features that are not recognized or not required.
Network discovery and file sharing are both turned on.
When I run the Network trouble shooter it sometimes throws an error message “one or more protocols are missing from this computer” then attempts a fix which usually always fails. The detailed error log refers to win sockets but I have reset them many times with no difference. However, straight after a reboot the automatic fix will work and at results seeing my own PC through File Explorer>Network.
On my other PC (wife’s) when I select - File Explorer>Network I get exactly what is expected, viz:
IBMLaptop (hers)
LenovoZ50 (Mine)
SAMBA1 (attached to my DLink Router)
Epson61477C (Printer)

The TCP/IPv4 setting on both PC’s are exactly the same.
Also, I have another problem that I suspect is related in the “Network ID” button is greyed out and cannot be selected albeit I have confirmed that my network is set to “Private.
I suspect that some other program is making changes to the network setting because very occasionally the File Explorer>Network will display all devices but later reverts to showing either no devices or only the LenovoZ50.
Does anyone out there have any suggestions because I am completely flummoxed.

 

Network Devices Not Showing in File Explorer

Windows 10. Have Desktop 1, Laptop 1, Desktop 2 and D-Link Network Storage in Home Network. Router/Modem is AT&T/DirecTV for telephone, TV and Internet. Internet works fine. Do not think any problem with Router/Modem. Network devices do not show in File
Explorer, consistently, notwithstanding that they are online and can be accessed, albeit in a sort of a workaround. I have had this problem for some time. Desktop 1 is primary computer. Network storage is always powered on. Laptop 1 and Desktop 2 are sometimes
on, sometimes off. When Desktop 1 is powered on, hit or miss as to what other network devices, even though powered on, are listed in "Network" in File Explorer. Sometimes Laptop 1 will be listed on Desktop 1 File Explorer. But no others. Not even Desktop 1
is itself listed in Network. At same time, I will then move to Laptop 1, and look at Network in File Explorer on it. Desktop 1 is not listed. Nor is Laptop 1 itself listed. As a workaround, at a time when a device, or more than 1 device, listed, I placed a
shortcut to the device on my desktop. Thus, if device not listed in Network, I click the shortcut and I can access that device to, e.g., copy a file. So, the device is on line. This is true for all the devices. However, when another program needs to access
a device on the network, such as using Acronis Backup/Restore from Desktop 1 to access the Network Storage, it cannot do so because the NAS "cannot be found." This is true even though I know it is actually on-line by use of the shortcut in accessing it directly.
Sometimes, purely by happenstance, I boot one or the other of the computers, and some, or all, of the network devices will show in File Explorer > Network; more often, none, or only 1, will show. I have tried unplugging / replugging power, on all devices.
I have booted only one, then another one, then another one, all in various order. I have "studied" Control Panel > Network till I'm blue in the face and can't seem to find any solution to this anomaly. Nothing seems to work. Any ideas out there?