Can't join Homegroup

[tabooky]

Check that your computer names are unique! And not just case-different, but unique.

I battled this problem on my dad's desktop / laptop for 4 hours and tried the IPV6 and the reboot sequence tips and they didn't work. Then I noticed the computer names were identical, and thinking that might confuse Win 7 I changed one and poof! It worked! (You are forced to reboot after you rename a computer so it could have been that, but I rebooted 10 times before with no success).

I didn't confirm the problem since my dad was getting irritated and I figured Microsoft had stolen enough of my life at that point. But give it a try. Unique computer names are needed. Can anyone else confirm?

PS - Hey Microsoft, if unique names are required for Homegroup to work, could you TELL US THAT! Dang.

 

[figgyfost]

Both do have different and unique names. I've given up at this point. Thanks for all the help.

 

[palupalu]

For the posts about homegroup problems. Make sure that the 2 pc's you are trying to use on the homegroup have different pc names. ie; you cannot connect to the workgroup if both pc's have the same name "john-pc" for example. win 7 will think that this is the same workgroup thus you cannot join only create. To change the name of one of your pc's go to control panel> system and security> system, next to computer name go to change settings, when the system properties box opens click "change to rename this computer" Make sure it is different from your other pc. You will the be able to JOIN the homegroup. Hope this helps.

 

[commando]

guys i am in a real trouble ........

both pc connected via wifi to my adsl router .......


but unable to see home group created in pc over other pc or vice versa

in network only one pc is visible ...

while in full network map i can see my other pc but its not accessible ...

but i can ping my both pcs eitherway ....

os is win7 ultimate
router is d link 2640t

 

[severedsolo]

Hi commando your problem there is both PC's have the same name. change one of them by clicking Start then right clicking Computer and click properies, click Change Settings next to the PC name, give it a different name, (even just putting a 2 on the end will work) at the moment Homegroup is getting confused and thinking they are the same PC

 

[commando]

no names are different for both pc one is drbilalmuhammad151 and other is drbilalmuhammad

 

[mheney]

Check the clock settings

I had this same problem, network was fine.

My issue was the clocks - they were about a minute off (desktop said 8:27; laptop said 8:26. Why won't WIndows allow you to display seconds in the taskbar clock???)

Anyway - laptop was set to sync to a NIST server for time, and hadn't manaaged to connect. Desktop was syncing to time.windows.com. Set the laptop to sync to the same server as the desktop, forced a time sync on both machines - and suddenly I could see my homegroup on the laptop!

Thanks all for the suggestions - the troubleshooter did highlight the problem, but it's easy to assume the clocks are in sync if they LOOK the same ...

 

[severedsolo]

Interesting thank you mheney, I didn't realise that the clocks needed to be exactly the same as well. I'll add that to my list of troubleshooting tips

 

[chev65]

1. If your can't set up a Homegroup or if file sharing with Homegroups is inconsistant follow these instructions. First you will need to uninstall completely which ever A/V software or third party firewall you have installed. Or you can try going to your A/V's software forum and attempt to configure your A/V's for sharing with Homegroups. This problem is listed first for a good reason simply because it's the most likely cause of set up or sharig problems with Homegroups.

It might also be helpful to reset your router. Be sure that IPv6 is enabled in your network connections properties window "picture below". Enable DHCP in your routers set up page and make sure that all your machines are using the same default gateway and subnet mask and that all the intended Homegroup machines can sucessfully connect to the internet.

2. After sucessfully completing those tasks use the link below to help you fix the most likely problems encounted when setting up a Homegroup network. Pay close attention that the Time/Date settings are in sync on all machines and also that the bios clock is in sync. Also notice the registry adjustment which is sometimes required to fix certain Homegroup set up problems.

Homegroup trouble shooter walkthrough in the link below.
http://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-7/wi...-to-homegroup/

Other relivant links below about Homegroup connection problems.

Windows 7 Homegroup Invalid Passwords Because of Date and Time Settings - Resolve the issue with a simple workaround - Softpedia

Cannot leave Homegroup

Windows 7 HomeGroup: Walkthrough

Homegroup Password is incorrect?

Cannot change active network from public to home in Windows 7

HomeGroup get an error of must have IPv6 enabled

Set Network Location to Home

Another reason why you can’t access your HomeGroup is because it only works for home networks where you trust all the computers. If, for some reason, you chose Work, Public, or Domain, then HomeGroups will not work.
Click this bar to view the full image.



3. There are several reasons why you can’t access your HomeGroup. Here are the most popular reasons for not being able to connect to your HomeGroup.

• Your computer might not be connected to the network the HomeGroup is on. Make sure the computer has network/Internet access. Try having Windows 7 troubleshoot the Internet connection for you.
• Your network location might not be set to Home. Learn how to check and change your network location if needed.
• Network Discovery might be turned off. Learn how to turn Network Discovery back on.
• Other computers in the HomeGroup might be turned off.
• Other computer in the HomeGroup might not be sharing files. Learn how to share files using HomeGroup.
• Maybe someone changed the HomeGroup password. Try checking the HomeGroup password on other computers in the HomeGroup. If the HomeGroup password was changed, change the HomeGroup password on your computer.
• Your computer might not yet be joined to a HomeGroup. Learn how to join or create a HomeGroup.
• Turn off or uninstall any third party firewalls or A/V software (usually bundled with antivirus software) that are installed on your computer.

If none of these troubleshooting tips work, try restarting your computer, or leave and then re-join the HomeGroup.


4. Other times there is a rogue file causing problems with Homegroups.

Open Windows explorer and navigate to the following file.

C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Roaming\PeerNetworking and delete all of the files in this folder. Now restart the computer.

Go to Services again and you should be able to start 'Peer Networking Grouping' and 'Peer Name Resolution Protocol'. Restart the computer again.

When you log on this time, check the event log again, to ensure no errors concerning the two services are present and also check Services to ensure the two services concerned are running.

You should now have full functionality restored to your homegroup.


5. There are a few more things you can do if it's still not working.

Open up a command prompt and type "regedit" without the quotes then hit enter. Navigate to the following key.
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip6\Parameters]

You have to set the DisabledComponents Dword to 0

Very important> If there isn't a disabled components dword you have to create one and then set it to zero. To do this follow the next step while you are still at the same spot in the registry.

In the right pane, right-click and select New – DWORD (32-bit value) and type in it's name as> “DisabledComponents” and set its value to 0.

“0″ = Enable All IPv6 Interfaces (Default)
​

After that reboot your machine and see if the problem is fixed.

6. The following services need to be started for Homegroup networking to function properly. It sometimes helps to change them from Manual to Automatic.

First open a command prompt and type in services.msc then hit enter. Scroll down the list and locate the following services. Make sure that the service is started then right click on the service and choose properties, set the service to Automatic rather than Manual.

Right click the sevice, go to properties, make sure that all these services are started then Set to Automatic> DNS Client, Function Discovery Resource Publication, SSDP Discovery, Peer Networking Grouping,Peer Name Resolution Protocol, UPnP Device Host services, Homegroup listener, Homegroup provider.

For wireless connectivity with Windows 7, you need to run the network setup wizard for everything to work correctly.

You should also make sure that your Advanced sharing settings are set like the pictures below. The public sharing window may not matter with Homegroups but it sometimes helps to set them up accordingly.

Here are a few tutorials from Brink to help you navigate though the Homegroup set up procedure.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/43961-homegroup-create.html?filter
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/43972-homegroup-add-computer-join.html?filter
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/43980-homegroup-leave.html?filter

 

[vigkmo]

Joining homegroup trouble

I can join homegroup when both computers are connected. But Iwant my desktop set up through ethernet and my labtop wireless. Thats when I can't join them. Any solutions anybody.

 

[chev65]

As long as both connections are using the same default gateway "same router" you should be having no problems with Homegroup sharing. It's when people start adding a second router for wireless or some other reason is where the problems start.

 

[DocBrown]

I can join homegroup when both computers are connected. But Iwant my desktop set up through ethernet and my labtop wireless. Thats when I can't join them. Any solutions anybody.

Are both Win7 computers ?


http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/43961-homegroup-create.html

 

[chev65]

I can join homegroup when both computers are connected. But Iwant my desktop set up through ethernet and my labtop wireless. Thats when I can't join them. Any solutions anybody.

Are both Win7 computers ?


http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/43961-homegroup-create.html

Good point Doc, I certainly hope so.

 

[kensiko]

Hello,

I just got a problem with my homegroup. Everything was fine until batch of updates today.

I ended up quitting every computers (3 + mine) from the homegroup and creating a new group. That's when the problem started to really annoy me. I was able to create the group and the other computers were able to see that mine had created a group. After entering the password, it would wait for 1 minute then it would says "Windows is unable to join the Homegroup on this computer".

I've tried everything I've found, no success. I tried to create the group on other computers, same issue. I ended up plugging an ethernet cable between 2 computers and then it was possible to join the group!! After that, I went back to the old connection (using a router) and it would be all right. This gave me the idea to try my old linksys router. With this router, there was no problem joining the homegroup!!!

I joined every computer and put back my newest router (DIR-601). Everything is fine now, but this is not a permanent solution. I don't want the dlink router to prevent me from joining any homegroup!

From there, I know I could test all the different options in the router and see if it's possible to join a homegroup, but that takes a long time. Is there any hint you could give me? A port to open?? An IP configuration to change?

Thanks a lot!

 

[vigkmo]

I am using the same router. But when use a ethernet on my desktop and wireless on my labtop. I cant join. I can join if use a wirless adapter plugged in my desktop.

 

[wyeechen]

Another reason why can't join homegroup

one more consideration:

double check if all computer wireless detected SSID are the same.

For example: if 3 computers' wireless network name are
"belkinwireless","belkinwireless","belkinwireless 2",
the one with differ wireless network name will not be able to join the homegroup.

Hence there is a previous post suggested that not to broadcast the ssid name, I think because of this reason.

maybe someone doubt why a differ SSID could be used if all computer connect to the same wireless router. This could be considered a bug in windows system, i believe.

Given the following senario that, computer A connected with a wireless router, and the SSID is "belkinwireless". Then he bought another new wireless router and name it "belkinwireless" too, then the computer A will be detected the ssid as "belkinwireless 2".
Afterward, if he bought another 2 new computers, and connect to the wireless network, the 2 computers will detect the ssid as "belkinwireless".

This is how a same wireless router's SSID be detected differently in different computers.

Bug?

 

[kensiko]

Ok, so could there be a bug with my router? Anyway I'll try disabling the SSID when I'll have the time to test joining a homegroup.

 

[flashjh]

Problem Solved

Hi guys,

Just to share, I had the same problem of not being able to join. I realized that my laptop and PC had the same computer name, and changed it to make both unique.

Solved! from "Create..." to "Join..".

Regards

I was having the same probem. No matter what I tried the computer on the wireless network could not see the homegroup. I saw this post and remembered that the wireless computer used to be the main system. I since built another and named it the same thing. As soon as I changed the name on the wireless system, it worked great! Duh. Why doesn't Win7 let you know two computers on the same network have the same name?

 

[oktave]

I had the same problem and followed almost every tip I could find. In the end, disabling my Symantec endpoint protection before joining my Homegroup did the trick. I re-enabled it afterwards. If this helps anyone...

 

[MartinPF]

Similar "Cannot Join Home Group" Problem

I have two new Dell Studio Laptops with Windows 7 Home Premium all with the latest updates. At one point early on, home group worked between these computers but recently, Computer A can create a home group (after rebooting both), Computer B does not have the "Join" options and even if I try to create the home group on B after leaving home groups and rebooting both. Windows error message says "Windows cannot setup a homegroup on this computer." They do see each other if I use the "Windows XP"-like Network connection in Windows Explorer. Any ideas? I am new to this forum and was not sure if a new separate thread was the correct direction or just adding on to an existing one.

Colonel,

Leave the homegroup using Network and Sharing Center. Do it for both computers. Reboot both computers. Return to Network and Sharing and make sure they both want you to create a homegroup. Do so on only one computer. Reboot it. Check to make sure the homegroup is still there in Network and Sharing Center.

Go to the other computer. Check to make sure the new homegroup is visible in Networking and Sharing Center. If not report back here.

If it is just join it and report the exact error message if any.

Homegroups are not completely plug and play yet -- reboots are required to stabilize the network.