Turn on Network Discovery manually in Network and Sharing Center for your current network profile, enabling it for public networks if on a trusted network. 2. Ensure essential services like Function Discovery, SSDP Discovery, UPnP Device Host, DNS Client, and DHCP Client are set to Automatic and running via services.msc. 3. Run the built-in Network and Internet Connections troubleshooters to detect and fix common issues. 4. Verify Windows Defender Firewall allows Network Discovery for Private (and optionally Public) networks, adding svchost.exe if needed, and temporarily disable third-party firewalls. 5. Reset network settings via Settings to reinstall adapters and reset configurations. 6. On Pro/Enterprise editions, use gpedit.msc to enable inbound NetBIOS traffic and disable policies blocking discovery; home users can use Registry Editor cautiously. 7. Confirm the network profile is set to Private in Settings to allow discovery, which is disabled by default on Public networks. Finally, ensure devices are on the same subnet, restart network devices, consider SMB 1.0 for legacy compatibility, and update network drivers if issues persist, as the problem typically stems from service, firewall, or profile settings.

If Network Discovery is turned off and won’t turn on in Windows 10, it can prevent your PC from seeing other devices on the network (like shared printers or computers), and vice versa. This is a common issue, but usually fixable with a few targeted steps. Here’s how to troubleshoot and resolve it.

? 1. Turn On Network Discovery Manually via Network and Sharing Center

Sometimes Windows disables Network Discovery automatically for "Public" networks.

1. Press Win I → Go to Network & Internet → Status → Network and Sharing Center.
2. Click on your current network (e.g., "Home network" or "Public network").
3. In the network profile window, click Turn on network discovery.
4. Choose Yes, turn on network discovery for all public networks (if you're on a trusted network).
5. Also check the box: Turn on automatic setup of network-connected devices.
6. Click Save changes.

? If the option is grayed out or doesn’t stick, keep reading — there are deeper fixes below.

? 2. Ensure Related Services Are Running

Network Discovery relies on background services. If they’re disabled, it won’t work.

1. Press Win R, type services.msc, and press Enter.

   

2. Check and set the following services to Running and Automatic startup:

   • Function Discovery Resource Publication
   • Function Discovery Provider Host
   • SSDP Discovery
   • UPnP Device Host
   • DNS Client
   • DHCP Client

3. Right-click each → Start (if stopped) → Properties → Set Startup type to Automatic.

? Restart your PC after enabling these services.

? 3. Run the Network Troubleshooter

Windows includes a built-in tool that can automatically detect and fix common network issues.

1. Go to Settings → Update & Security → Troubleshoot.
2. Run the Internet Connections troubleshooter.
3. Then run the Network Adapter troubleshooter.

It may detect and fix firewall or service-related issues blocking discovery.

? 4. Check Windows Firewall Settings

The firewall can block Network Discovery even if it’s turned on.

1. Open Control Panel → Windows Defender Firewall.
2. Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
3. Look for Network Discovery in the list.
4. Make sure it’s checked for Private (and optionally Public, if safe).
5. If it’s not listed, click Allow another app and add:
   • %SystemRoot%\System32\svchost.exe with the name Network Discovery
   • Or look under Change settings and ensure the rules are active.

?? If you're using third-party antivirus/firewall software, temporarily disable it to test.

? 5. Reset Network Settings

Corrupted network configurations can prevent discovery from enabling.

1. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Status.
2. Scroll down and click Network reset.
3. Click Reset now → Confirm.

This will:

• Remove and reinstall all network adapters
• Reset IPv4/IPv6, DNS, and firewall settings

? After reset, restart and reconfigure Wi-Fi/Ethernet connections.

? 6. Edit Group Policy (Pro/Enterprise Editions Only)

If you're on Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise, a policy might be blocking discovery.

1. Press Win R, type gpedit.msc, press Enter.
2. Navigate to:
   Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Network → Network Connections → Windows Firewall
3. Check:
   • Allow inbound NetBIOS traffic → Set to Enabled
   • Prohibit enabling/disabling network discovery → Set to Disabled or Not Configured

? Home users: Use Registry Editor instead (advanced — proceed with caution).

? 7. Check Network Profile Type (Public vs Private)

Windows disables discovery by default on Public networks.

1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi (or Ethernet).
2. Click your network → Set Network profile to Private.

Once set to Private, Network Discovery should be allowed.

? Only do this on networks you trust (e.g., home or office).

Final Notes

• Make sure all devices are on the same subnet (e.g., 192.168.1.x).
• Try rebooting your router and other network devices.
• Ensure SMB 1.0 is enabled (though not recommended for security) if connecting to older devices.

If none of the above work, the issue might be driver-related — update your network adapter driver via Device Manager.

Basically, Network Discovery failing to turn on is usually due to services, firewall, or network profile settings. Go through the steps one by one — most cases are resolved by enabling the right services and setting the network to Private.

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