Windows 10 is the latest operating system of Microsoft that has several outstanding features and is quite stable. It’s currently the most popular operating system in the world today with more than 50% market share which is a huge margin from the second placer, Windows 7, with a 30% market share. Although this is a solid performing operating system there are instances when certain issues can occur. In this latest installment of our troubleshooting series we will tackle the Windows no longer detects a HomeGroup on this network error.
Fix Windows No Longer Detects A HomeGroup On This Network Error
Before performing the recommended troubleshooting steps for this particular problem I suggest that you try restarting your computer first. This will refresh the operating system as well as remove corrupt temporary data and is quite effective in fixing most software related issues.
There are several factors that can cause this particular problem ranging from an interference from the antivirus and firewall to a setting issue. Listed below are the troubleshooting steps you need to do to fix this problem.
Turn off the antivirus
One factor that can cause this particular issue is the antivirus software. It could be preventing the computer from joining the existing HomeGroup. To check if this is what’s causing the problem you should try to disable the antivirus software that you are using.
If you are using Windows Security
- Select Start – Settings > Update & Security – Windows Security – Virus & threat protection > Manage settings
- Switch Real-time protection to Off.
If you are using Avast
- Search for the Avast icon in your computer’s system tray and right-click on it.
- Click on Avast shields control.
- Locate the options to disable the program – the options are to disable it for 10 minutes, an hour, until the computer is restarted or permanently (until you yourself turn it back on). Select whatever option suits you best and use it to disable the program.
If you are using AVG
- Search for the AVG icon in your computer’s system tray and right-click on it.
- Click on Temporarily disable AVG protection.
- Choose how long you want AVG to be turned off and whether you want AVG to disable its Firewall too.
- Click on OK to disable the antivirus program.
If you are using McAfee
- Search for the McAfee Antivirus icon in your computer’s system tray and right-click on it.
- Click on Exit.
- You should see a dialog box warning you that McAfee‘s protection will be turned off. Click on Yes in this dialog box to disable the antivirus program
Check if the Windows no longer detects a HomeGroup on this network error still occurs.
Turn off the firewall
To eliminate the possibility that the firewall is causing the problem you will have to turn it off.
- Press Windows Key + I to open up Settings.
- Search for “Windows Defender Firewall” and then select “Windows Defender Firewall”.
- On the left-hand side, click on “Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off”.
- Check the “Turn off Windows Defender Firewall” boxes under both the settings.
Check if the Windows no longer detects a HomeGroup on this network error still occurs.
Leave the HomeGroup then create a new one
- Leave the HomeGroup. Do this on the computer that was used to create the HomeGroup
- Create a new HomeGroup on a different computer.
- Make note of the HomeGroup password you get once the new HomeGroup has been created.
- One by one, on all of the other computers that are on the network, join the new HomeGroup using the new HomeGroup password.
Check if the Windows no longer detects a HomeGroup on this network error still occurs.
Completely remove the old HomeGroup and create a new one
In case the above steps fails to fix the problem then you should try this.
- On every single computer you want to have connected on the new HomeGroup that you will create later on, go to the following directory and delete all of the PeerNetworking folder’s contents: X:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Roaming\PeerNetworking
- X is the drive letter corresponding to the partition of your computer’s hard drive that Windows is installed on. Since the AppData folder is a hidden folder you will have to go to the View tab of Windows Explorer, click on Options, navigate to the View tab, scroll down and check the Show hidden files, folders and drives option, and click on Apply and then on OK to see the AppData folder.
- On every single computer you want on the new HomeGroup, press the Windows Logo key + R to open a Run dialog, type services.msc into the Run dialog and press Enter to launch the Services manager, scroll down and locate the HomeGroup Provider service, right-click on it and click on Stop to stop it.
- Turn ALL of the computers connected to the network off.
- Turn on one computer on the network that was NOT the computer the original HomeGroup was created on.
- The computer you turn on will not see any trace of an existing HomeGroup on the network, so it will allow you to create a new one. Go ahead and create a new HomeGroup on the network using this computer.
- Once the new HomeGroup has been created and you have the HomeGroup password, turn the other computers on the network on one by one and have them join the new HomeGroup
Check if the Windows no longer detects a HomeGroup on this network error still occurs.
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