Homegroup issue: I have one laptop which cannot join (or leave)!

iamc3k · 15 May 2017

Folks,

I'm in need of an assist.

I have 5 computers working nicely with one another on my homegroup. None of that matters since my wife's laptop is the one which doesn't work with the homegroup. I've read every tutorial and tried every step that I could find, to no avail.

Opening up her Homegroup settings page shows a header, "This computer can't connect to a homegroup", and it is accompanied by a yellow warning box with "HomeGroup is not ready yet. Please try again in a few minutes. If this message continues to appear, click the link to start the HomeGroup troubleshooter."

The troubleshooter doesn't accomplish a thing. I cannot even remove her laptop from the HomeGroup and try to start over: the error message prevents ANY HomeGroup actions to be taken (Join, quit, change password, etc.)

Now, I know that my HomeGroup works. I know that my wifi access point works. I know that my router works. I know that my AV/Firewall software works. All the machines in the house run the same software, settings, etc. All are running Windows 10.

Without nuking her install, how/where do I begin? This has been very frustrating.

Thanks,
Ken

Caledon Ken · 16 May 2017

Hi iamc3k

It very much sounds like you've covered a lot of ground and you know what you are doing. That said and because you didn't mention in post, please don't shot me, have you confirm she is using Private network and not Public. Yes I know you are in house and its your network, her wireless still has to be set to Private.

Next I would reset her Network. Start => Settings => Network and Internet => scroll to bottom of right window.

All Wireless password will be forgotten.

Ken

iamc3k · 17 May 2017

Caledon Ken,

Thanks, but that didn't help. Her laptop is set as a Private connection (I've even changed the WAP she's connected to and tried using Public then back to Private), with all discovery and sharing turned on.

Homegroup troubleshooter says there's no problem. Liar.

The fact that I cannot even access the homegroup password is VERY frustrating.

Using file explorer, under the Homegroup blue/green bubble icon, her laptop correctly sees the homegroup. Selecting any of the computers listed under homegroup gives a "This PC is unavailable" message...

I'm totally stumped and am grateful for any steps.

Caledon Ken · 17 May 2017

Not sure what AV product or products you are using.

Could you disable all firewalls on the machine. I would also power off /on router.

I assume under networks in file explorer no "Networked" machines are showing, correct?

While not likely could you disable IPv6 on problem device.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/...nts-in-windows

Might also suggest you run

sfc /scannow

I suggest this as some functionality seems to be missing.

Samuria · 17 May 2017

Your master browser isnt up to date ipv6 is used by homegroup and it needs netbios running on all pcs. Run this on all your pcs which one is the master browser this util will often kick the MB back into life NetBScanner - NetBIOS scanner

iamc3k · 18 May 2017

Thanks! I'll try all of the above when I get back home. On a trip atm.

Caledon Ken · 19 May 2017

I think our two post conflict. I suggested disabling IPv6 and the next post says it is required.

I'm interested in outcome of the NetBios scanner suggested.

There is also a command to release and refresh all netbios names

nbtstat -RR

Samuria · 19 May 2017

The master browser is updated every 20_30 mins so it can miss things if the PC is on for a short time. Ipv6 is a pain and only used by home group if you use normal networks you can get rid of it