Network sharing is a feature on Windows PC using which users can share files with users connected to a local network. This can be useful when you have multiple PCs connected to the same network and you want to share files. However, after installing Windows 11, users have reported facing issues with the Network Discovery and sharing.ย 

So what causes this issue? This issue is generally caused due to reasons such as permission not given, outdated version, improper settings, essential services not present, and various such. In this article, we will be discussing various ways to fix Network Discovery and Sharing in Windows 11.

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Fix Network Discovery and Sharing Not Working in Windows 11

If you have been facing issues with Network Discovery and Sharing in Windows 11, you can follow the steps given ahead to fix it.

1. Ensure Network Discovery is Turned On

Firstly, you must ensure that the network discovery is turned on. You must set the network profile type to private and then check if you still face the issue or not. To do so, follow the steps given below-

  1. Open Windows 11ย Settingsย by pressing theย Windows + Iย key combo.ย 
  2. Head toย Network and Internet, and then selectย Ethernetย orย Wi-Fiย network, depending on the type of network you are connected to.Network and Internet
  3. Next, set theย Network Profile Typeย toย Private.Network Profile Typeย toย Private
  4. Once done, you should no longer face the Network Discovery and Sharing issue.ย 

2. Reconfigure Sharing Settings

Another troubleshooting step to follow is reconfiguring the sharing settings. You will be able to do so by following the steps given ahead in this article-

  1. Press theย Windowsย key, typeย Control Panel and open it.search for control panel
  2. Head to theย Network and Internetย section and click onย Network and Sharing Center.Network and InternetNetwork and Sharing Center
  3. On the left sidebar, click on theย Change Advanced Sharing Settings.Change advanced sharing settings
  4. Expandย All Networks, and then underย Public Folder Sharing, select theย Turn off Public folder sharingย option. Turn off Public folder sharing
  5. Now under theย Password Protected Sharing, select the option forย Turn off password protected sharing. Turn off password protected sharing
  6. Click onย Save Changesย and then restart your PC to save the changes.ย 

3. Update Windows

You may also face the issue due to pending updates. To update Windows, follow the steps given below-

  1. Pressย Windows + Iย key combo to open theย Settings.
  2. On the left sidebar, head to theย Windows Updateย section.ย 
  3. Now, click onย Check for Updatesย to find all the updates available. Check For Updates
  4. Download and install all the updates you see here, and then restart Windows 11 to fix the issue.ย 

4. Ensure Critical Services Are Running

If the critical services are not running, then also you may face the issue. You must ensure critical services are running if you face issues with Network discovery and sharing in Windows 11. To run the critical services, follow the steps given below-

  1. Openย Start Menu, search forย Services, and then open it. search for services
  2. Search forย Function Discovery Provider Hostย service here. Right-click on it, and then click onย Properties. Function Discovery Provider Host
  3. Next, set theย Startup Typeย toย Automaticย and click on theย Startย button.
  4. Once done, click onย Applyย and then onย OKย to save the changes.ย 
  5. This should most probably fix the Network Discovery and Sharing in Windows 11.ย 

5. Ensure Necessary Permissions Are Given

Lastly, you must ensure that all the necessary permissions are given. If Network discovery and sharing is not working fine in Windows 11, then you should try giving the necessary permissions and then check if you still face the issue or not. To do so, follow the steps given below-

  1. Openย File Explorerย by pressing theย Windows + Eย key combo. Head to the location of the folder you are facing any problem with.
  2. Right-click on the folder, and then click onย Properties. select Properties from the context menu
  3. Here, head to theย Sharingย tab, and click on theย Shareย button.Sharing tab and click on the Share button
  4. Click on the drop-down menu, click onย Everyone, and click on theย Shareย button.
  5. Click on theย Doneย button to continue ahead.ย 
  6. Next, click on theย Advanced Sharingย button.Advanced Sharing button
  7. Check the checkbox forย Share this folder,ย and then click on theย Permissionsย button.Permissions button
  8. Select the Everyoneย option, allow all the permissions, and click onย OK.
  9. Again click onย Applyย andย OKย to save the changes.ย 
  10. Now restart your computer, and the issue will be fixed.ย 

Conclusion

We have discussed all the possible troubleshooting steps to help fix Network Discovery and sharing issues in Windows 11. If you have been facing this issue, then you can follow the steps in this article, and you will be able to fix the issue you have been facing.

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