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How to Fix Windows 11 Cannot See Computer or Router on Network

Olivia Miller Oct 7, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is unable to consistently view other computers, devices, or a router with an attached backup drive on their local network.

How to Fix Windows 11 Not Showing Computers or Routers on the Local Network

Product: Windows 11 Local Network
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Attempting to access shared network resources or a router-attached backup drive over a local Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.
Observed behavior: The laptop inconsistently displays local network devices and completely fails to show the router, despite Network Discovery, File Sharing, and the Private network profile already being enabled.

Before you start

Verify that your Windows 11 PC is securely connected to your home or office network and ensure you have administrator privileges to run command-line tools and modify network adapter settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Restart Devices and Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter

Rebooting your hardware and utilizing the built-in Windows troubleshooter can automatically detect and resolve common network discovery glitches.

Network discovery issues are often caused by temporary IP conflicts or stalled network adapter drivers that can be quickly resolved with a reset.

Restart Your Router and PC

Unplug your router from the power source for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. Once the network is back online, restart your Windows 11 laptop.

Open Windows Troubleshooter

Click the Start menu, go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot, and select Other troubleshooters.

Run Network Troubleshooter

Locate 'Network and Internet' (or 'Network Adapter') in the list and click the 'Run' button.

Apply Recommended Fixes

Follow the on-screen prompts to allow Windows to automatically diagnose the connection and reset your adapter settings if required.

Restart Devices and Run the Windows Network Troubleshooter

Network Profiles: Ensure your active network profile is set to 'Private' rather than 'Public', as Windows blocks network discovery on Public networks for security reasons.

Solution 2

Reset TCP/IP and Flush DNS Cache

Clearing your DNS cache and resetting the TCP/IP stack resolves corrupted network configurations that prevent device discovery.

Solution 3

Verify WLAN AutoConfig Service and Router Settings

Ensuring essential Windows networking services are running and your router permits local sharing is crucial for network visibility.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Windows 11 network discovery turning off automatically?

This usually happens if essential background services are not running. Open the Services app (services.msc) and ensure 'Function Discovery Resource Publication', 'Function Discovery Provider Host', and 'DNS Client' are set to Automatic startup.

Can third-party antivirus software block local network devices?

Yes, strict firewall rules in third-party antivirus suites can block local network traffic and prevent device discovery. Try temporarily disabling your firewall or setting your local Wi-Fi connection to 'Trusted' within your antivirus settings.

Why can't Windows 11 see my router's attached USB backup drive?

Some older routers use the SMBv1 protocol for USB file sharing, which is disabled by default in Windows 11 for security reasons. You may need to enable 'SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support' via the 'Turn Windows features on or off' menu, though updating your router's firmware to support SMBv2 or higher is the safest solution.

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