Home network connection issues

I have my PC and my laptop sharing to each other over the same WiFi network, using their PC names. I can access one from the other to transfer docs or sync folders. That is, until a couple days ago. Now all of a sudden they either won't connect at all or will take several tries before they do. When I can finally connect, 20 minutes later I can no longer connect.

Sometimes I can connect via IP but not name, sometimes neither. It's maddening. It was all working flawlessly before this started. It may have started when my machines received the last Windows update, but I'm not sure.

Hey pjfarr,
What version of Win10 are you running (winkey + r > winver) ?

Eagle51,

Latest version: 1803, 17134.165, 64 bit.

Hey pjfarr,
Try disabling IPv6 on both PC's - Enable or Disable IPv6 in Windows

Note: Reboot PC's after disabling IPv6

I wasn't sure disabling IPv6 was a good idea, so I did a bit of research and everything I found recommended not disabling it but rather first try setting IPv4 to take priority over IPv6 (Win 10 apparently defaults the other way).

Now it seems I can connect with the IP addresses of the PCs no problem (static addresses) but not the PC names. I had this issue before so I'd saved all the troubleshooting steps and ran through them (flushdns, registerdns, rebooting router etc.) and they didn't work this time. If I wait long enough, eventually I can connect via PC name. It seems like it takes several minutes before it'll work, but then stops working again minutes later. �� ARRRRGH.

I wasn't sure disabling IPv6 was a good idea, so I did a bit of research and everything I found recommended not disabling it but rather first try setting IPv4 to take priority over IPv6 (Win 10 apparently defaults the other way).

Yep .. Either one can help to fix the intermittent 0x80070035 error.
Note: Most ISP's don't support IPv6 and most people don't use it, so disabling it is ok.

If you haven't already, try renaming your PC's - Change Computer Name in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

Actually, I think I may have solved the problem. I say "may" because the issue's been so on and off I'm not sure it will stick.

I added the IP address and PC Name of the opposite PC to the Windows Hosts file of each PC (i.e. 192.168.1.10x PCNAME) and it all seems to be working now. It's been working for several hours so who knows.

I'd rather wait a couple days and see what happens before marking it solved, though. I'll post back in a few days.

Actually, I think I may have solved the problem. I say "may" because the issue's been so on and off I'm not sure it will stick.

I added the IP address and PC Name of the opposite PC to the Windows Hosts file of each PC (i.e. 192.168.1.10x PCNAME) and it all seems to be working now. It's been working for several hours so who knows.

I'd rather wait a couple days and see what happens before marking it solved, though. I'll post back in a few days.

Yep, that would have been my next suggestion :)