The Windows 8.1 laptop says there is a homegroup on my network, which I started on my Windows 7 PC. I go thru the join now process and use the correct password, then after a minute or so, the laptop says it no longer detects a homegroup on the network. How can I connect?
Try this tool from Microsoft to fix your homegroups settings if you haven't tried the homegroup troubleshooter already:
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9755488
Also make sure you have a good network connection (wired in if possible) when trying to troubleshoot your homegroup issues or access the homegroup until you get it back to work. Wireless networks are exposed to interference and low signal means low speeds which could cause the network to not detect the homegroup device is the device becomes unreacheable.
Try this tool and give us feed back.
The link says it is invalid. My laptop is 3 feet from my router.
That link launches a small application download, I just re-tried it. Try again.
"This troubleshooter is invalid or might have expired. If the name was changed when the troubleshooter was saved, the troubleshooter is rendered invalid and cannot be run." That is the message I get, and I have not changed the name. But if this is the same troubleshooter included in Win7 or 8, I have run it repeatedly, with no improvement.
Quote