This error is present in all versions of the Windows OS and it can be solved in a number of quite different ways. That is why it’s important that you follow the rest of the article carefully in order to solve the problem.
Solution 1: Restart Your Computer Several Times
Even though this one sounds like the basic IT suggestion, people have solved the problem this way but sometimes took more than one restart. Some of the parts in the chain which runs this process have gone corrupt and restarting the computer fixed this problem.
Solution 2: Verify SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support is Installed
In order for the process to succeed, there are several components that absolutely need to be installed properly on your computer. One of these components is definitely SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support which is a built-in component that is turned on by default on some computers and disabled on others. You should definitely check if the process is enabled on your computer by following the instructions below:
Solution 3: A Workaround for Windows 10 Users
Since a lot of useful features present in the older versions of Windows have been dropped in some of the latest Windows 10 updates, Windows 10 users will never be able to use this feature the same again, meaning that the browsing functionality of networks cannot be fixed properly. Fortunately, there is a workaround suggested by some users who rely on making one computer on the network the Master Browser which will actually solve the problem.
Before proceeding with this solution, it’s recommended that you close all of your running programs and it’s advisable to create a backup of your registry just in case something goes terribly wrong while you edit it. Backup your registry before proceeding.
Solution 4: Disable the Internet Protocol Version 6 on Your PC
This Windows network error sometimes occurs if you have enabled IPv6 and you don’t have a local gateway that is needed to connect. There are several users who were able to solve the problem by disabling IPV6 whereas it didn’t work for others. Your safest bet is to try and see if it’s working yourself.
Solution 5: Disable Any VPN Connection You May Have Running
This is a vital step since some users have reported that certain Windows Updates have initialized a VPN connection which prevents homegroup from starting properly. VPN is always a big no if you want to have working local connections. Follow the instructions below in order to turn off Windows VPN:
Solution 6: Restart a Certain Service
There is a service called Function Discovery Provider Host which is vital to this process and come users have reported that tweaking this service has helped them connect to the homegroup again and see other computers on the network.
After you have successfully open Services, follow the instructions below.
The service should start now and you won’t have any problems dealing with it in the future. However, you may receive the following error message when you click on Start: “Windows could not start the Function Discovery Provider Host service on Local Computer. Error 1079: The account specified for this service differs from the account specified for other services running in the same process.” If this occurs, follow the instructions below to fix it.
Solution 7: Network Reset
This simple method worked for few users. This simply resets your network settings and you may need to tweak other things you have changed in the meantime. Follow the instructions below:
Solution 8: Reinstall Drivers and Command Prompt Tweaks
There are quite a few other things you can try to solve your problem. Reinstalling the drivers related to networking should solve the problem along with certain Command Prompt tweaks which are quite easy to run and to maintain.
Solution 9: Enable the Guest Account on Your PC
A weird trick that worked for several users who had the guest account on their PC disabled for some reason.
Solution 10: Control Panel Tweak
Solution 11: Allowing Through Firewall
In some cases, some features of the operating system might be getting blocked by your computer’s Firewall due to which this issue is being triggered. If the Firewall blocks your computer from being able to properly connect to a network, the issue arises where you are unable to see the other computers on the network. Therefore, in this step, we will be allowing this feature through the Firewall. For that:
Solution 12: Starting Service
In some cases, it might be possible that the computer browser service on your computer might be configured in such a way that it may either be disabled or it might be configured to be started manually. Therefore, in this step, we will be allowing the service to startup automatically on its own. In order to do that:
Solution 13: Diagnosing Network Problems
It is possible that your computer network configurations might not be properly setup due to which this issue is being triggered. Therefore, we will be using the command prompt to identify if a network issue exists on your computer and then we will solve it by running the troubleshooter. For that:
Solution 14: Changing Router and DNS Settings
It is possible that you might not have configured your DNS settings properly and if you have made a manual change to the DN servers that the computer is using for your internet connection, the error can be triggered if they do not match up with the DNS servers that the other computer on the network is using. Also, Some routers contain a Wireless isolation feature that prevents other computers connected to the same internet from being able to connect or see your computer. Therefore, in this step, we will first be changing the DNS settings and then we will reconfigure these router settings to allow for optimal connectivity. For that: Now that we have enabled automatic detection for DNS, we will have to change the router settings. For that:
Solution 15: Changing Network Profile
It is possible that in some cases, you might not have selected the proper network profile which allows the sharing of printer and files on a network, and due to this, you are unable to see other computers on your network. Therefore, in this step, we will be changing the Network Profile and then we will check if doing so fixes this issue on our computer. For that:
Solution 16: Reconfiguring Sharing Services
It is possible that your computer might’ve automatically configured some services to be disabled at startup and due to this, your network discovery function on the computer might not work properly. Therefore, in this step, we will be reconfiguring these services from the services management window and then we will check if doing so fixes this issue. For that:
Solution 17: Execute Command
It is possible that in some cases the network discovery feature might not be enabled on your computer even after being enabled from the settings. Therefore, in this step, we will be running a command inside an elevated command prompt and then we will check if doing so fixes the issue with our computer. For that:
Solution 18: Change Master Browser
It is possible that your computer might not be set to be the Master Browser on the computer due to which this issue is being triggered for you. Therefore, in this step, we will be changing some registry configurations and then we will check to see if doing so has fixed this issue on our computer. For that:
Solution 19: Changing Adapter Configurations
It is possible that in some cases the adapter might not be properly configured due to which this error is being triggered on your computer. Therefore, in this step, we will be changing some adapter configurations to allow the computer to be able to see other computers on the network. For that:
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