Sometimes such situations arise when the network seems to be configured, and the terminal is connected to a wired or wireless network, and the parameters are set correctly, but still the local computer does not see the computers on the network or even the networks that are currently active. The reasons for this can be quite a lot, as well as ways to eliminate such problems. Consider the most common.
Why does the computer not see the network?
To begin with, when establishing a connection using a wired connection, first of all, you should check whether the cable is firmly inserted into the network card of the local terminal or into the distributing computer unit (laptop or router) in the case of wireless networks based on Wi-Fi.
These are physical problems that you should not focus on. Consider the cases when the computer does not see a network of any type and, accordingly, the terminals connected to them, associated with some parameters and settings for such connections.
I would like to pay attention to the fact that computers connected to a network of any type and currently in a mode of low power consumption (hibernation or sleep) will also not accept the local terminal, considering them disconnected.
Wireless Issues
Let's start with wireless networks. If the local computer does not see the WiFi networks that are currently active, there are several reasons for this situation, of which the following are the most common:
- incorrect network access settings on a single computer;
- Incorrect router settings
- disabled or faulty Wi-Fi module (or network adapter);
- missing or incorrectly installed network device driver;
- blocking the connection by antivirus, built-in Windows firewall or a third-party firewall.
Most of the points apply not only when the computer does not see the WiFi network. This applies equally to wired connections (with the exception of the router settings).
To fix the problem, you first need to turn on the Wi-Fi module (on laptops for this, combinations of function keys with the Fn button are provided). On routers, you need to enter the advanced settings and check if the wireless connection is turned on. If this does not help, you may have to change the channel (the easiest way to do this is with the automated utility Insider for Home.
Disabling encryption (authentication section) can sometimes help. To correct the situation, set the value to Open System. Finally, the problem may be the length of the key (section "WPA Pre-shared Key"). If its length exceeds 20 characters, the router with this key will not work.
As for IP addresses and other settings, in the properties of the default TCP / IP protocol, you need to set them to be received automatically. In the "Task Manager", you can try reinstalling the drivers of the network adapter and the corresponding controllers. You can also use special driver update programs, such as Driver Booster.
The computer does not see computers on the network: setting group names
However, even with the correct settings, the situation may not change. Let's take an example when the computer does not see the local network. Most experts associate this problem with the incorrect assignment of group names, because Windows (most often XP) when creating a new connection does not list the available local groups, but by default sets its own new group (WORKGROUP).
The method for eliminating the error consists in renaming the group and the name of the local computer in it. To do this, go to the terminal’s name section in the “Control Panel” or in the computer’s properties menu, click the “Change” button and specify the exact name of the group and local computer as on the target terminal.
Using Static IP Addresses
Another problem that the local computer does not see computers on the network may be that the single terminal does not automatically receive IP address settings and server settings.
To change them, go to the active network connection menu and select the TCP / IP protocol properties setting (v4 or v6). Here, for each terminal, you need to register IP addresses, subnet mask values , gateways, parameters of the preferred and alternative DNS server and uncheck the line for using proxies for local addresses.
After that, by clicking the "Advanced" button, we go to the new settings window and in the WINS tab at the bottom we activate the NetBIOS enable line via TCP / IP.
Configure system services
Another way to check the connection is to use the administration (management) section, where the “Services” item is selected. The easiest way to access it is through the Run (Win + R) console, where the services.msc command is entered.
Here we use the line of services and applications, where in the additional services section on the right we find the line of the browser of computers. Make sure that the start type is set to automatic. If another parameter is specified, change it to activate the component.
Solving Firewall Issues
Finally, the problem that the local computer does not see computers on any type of network may be due to a lock installed by the anti-virus software itself, which considers the connection invalid, or a firewall. With antiviruses, this situation is very rare, but you can try to disable the firewall.
To deactivate the regular Windows firewall, use the Security Center section in the Control Panel, where the firewall is disabled. If the system has installed third-party software, it is also recommended to deactivate it.
If you do not plan to disable the firewall, you can try to create a new rule for TCP / IP and add the corresponding connection or port to the exclusion list.
A few words in the end
That’s all that concerns the elimination of basic errors related to network connections, and how to resolve them. It did not address the problems of viral exposure and various kinds of malfunctions of individual "iron" components or the lack of general access to individual terminals. But in terms of the correct installation of the basic settings, the above methods help in almost all cases.