Can’t Ping Computer On Network | Why You Are Experiencing The Problem And How To Reconnect [A Detailed Guide]

Everything was okay with your local computer network until something went down. Now, you cannot see the other computers, and it is killing you because you need to share some files. So you decide to make rounds online, and you come up here on TechBiva. Count yourself lucky because we know exactly what you need.

If you can’t ping another computer, the best place to start is the Find and fix network problems feature. Microsoft provides this setting for users to diagnose and treat any network-related issues. So, take it as the first path to connecting to the other devices on the network.

In this article, we will look at the problems that could come up when you are troubleshooting. Also, you’ll know why you can’t access other computers and how to reconnect and ping them. In the end, the problem will be behind you, and you will be a networker of sorts. So, keep scrolling.

Why Can’t I Ping Computers On MY Network?

Here, we will give you a rundown of what may be going on under the hood:

1. A VPN could be creating a private tunnel for the other computers.

2. You may have enabled IPv6 settings.

3. The computer may be lacking CIFS/SMB 1.0 file-sharing support.

4. The PC may not be a member of the same domain.

5. In addition, it may not have an established network connection. 

6. The antivirus installed may be creating a barrier.

Now, go through the next section to see how you can address all the above issues.

How Do I Ping A Computer On My Network?

To ping a computer that has suddenly disappeared, use any of these solutions:

1. Disable The VPN On Your Computer (Or The Other One)

Virtual Private Networks provide online privacy. Once a user downloads, installs, and connects to a VPN server, their computer disappears on any network they are connected to. The VPN provides a ‘tunnel’ for the PC to make rounds online without getting caught.

If you want to bring that PC back to the network, you must disconnect from that server. That way, the PC will become visible and appear on the already established local network.

However, if you don’t want to switch off the VPN completely, you can make your identity visible for the Local Area Network. To give an example, here is how you do it on Surfshark, one of the biggest VPNs:

1. Launch the app from the Start Menu or by clicking on its icon in the tray.

2. Then, tap on the gear icon, which should open the Settings.

3. Under the General tab, click the Advanced option. When you scroll down, you should see the Invisible to devices option.

4. Click on the slider to make it grey, and then restart your computer.

Now, you can ping that PC because it is available for all the other devices in the LAN.

2. Uncheck The IP Version 6 (IPv6)

The IPv6 gives a better privacy mechanism and authentication, but in our case, it could be the thorn in the flesh. To disable it, use the following steps:

1. On the bottom-right corner of the screen, click on the network icon.

2. Then, choose the network that you are connected to.

3. Select the Change adapter options in the right plane, which should show you all the present networks.

4. Now, right-click on the specific network you want to ping the computer and select Properties.

5. Scroll under the items until you find Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).

6. Uncheck the box and then click OK.

TechBiva 101: If you still can’t ping the PC, disable the protocol on all the other computers. That ought to fix the problem.

3. Check If The SMB 1.0/CIFS FS Support Is Installed

File sharing is one of the main benefits of networking. Therefore, we need to ensure that the files necessary to support sharing are fully installed. To do so, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the Windows Features box by pressing the Windows button on your keyboard and S. Then, type window features, and you’ll see the icon there.

2. Click and launch the box.

3. Then, scroll down and see if the SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support option is checked. If not, check the box and then click OK.

If you suspect that the same feature is not installed in other computers on the network, check them. That way, you will be able to ping and reconnect the PC again.

4. Ensure That The ‘Missing’ Computer Is Part Of The Domain

For pinging to happen effectively, all the computers involved need to share the same domain. For you to be sure that that is the case, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to View advanced system settings by searching it on the Start Menu search box.

2. On the box that appears, click the Computer tab.

3. Under the computer, you will see the Change button. It sits next to this message: To rename this computer or change its domain or workgroup, click Change.

If you see that the PC isn’t part of the networking domain, enter the domain name in the box and click OK. As the message in the box says, any changes might affect access to network resources, and they will. When you’re done, try to ping the PC again.

5. Confirm If The Network Stands On Its Two Feet

Many users who have pinging problems realize that their networks bear the trouble. If that is your case, then check all the PCs to see if they are connected.

You may even have to restart the network or reboot all the related PCs.

Also, check if the shared connection (like Wi-Fi) is on for both devices. As you do that, see if the router is configured well.

6. Refresh The Function Discovery Host And The Function Discovery Provider

These Window programs come in handy because they supply network discovery services. Simply put, if they are stopped or disabled, a PC will not find other network devices, which will make it difficult for you to ping them.

To refresh (disable then enable), use these steps:

1. Press the Windows Key and type run on the search box.

2. Then, on the Run box, type services.msc and press Enter.

3. Scroll down to find the Function Discovery Provider Host.

4. Then, double-click it to open the Properties window.

5. When it opens, click Stop, then Apply, and okay to save the changes.

6. Then, on the same window, click Start.

7. Now, search for Function Discovery Provider and do steps 4 to 6.

After refreshing those two essential services, it should be easy to ping the computer on the network.

7. Clear Your NIC Drivers Using The netcfg-d Command

Sometimes, your Network Interface Cards could be the problem. In those cases, you will need to clear them up and install them again. Here are the steps to do so:

1. Run the command prompt as an administrator.
2. Then, on the interface, type netcfg-d and press Enter.

TechBiva 101: If you run the command, you will wipe out everything related to your networks. So, save the network drivers somewhere, as simrick advises you below.

8. Check If Your Antivirus Is The Culprit

Although antiviruses are excellent pieces of software, they sometimes trigger hiccups in our processes. One such thing is masking off a computer so that no one can ping it.

So, you need to check how your antivirus software is configured, especially its network and firewall settings. Then, as you crisscross, check and disable anything that could affect incoming connections.

For example, if you’re using Windows Security (formerly Windows Defender), you may want to bypass this firewall setting:

9. Finally, Ensure All Network Participants Have The Latest Updates

If you try all the other solutions given and nothing works out, your system could be having deep-running issues. To fix those issues, all the PCs in the network need to be in their latest form.

So, update each one manually if you find that Windows has not done it automatically. And when all the downloads and installs finish, restart all the PCs and reestablish the connection.

TechBiva 101: If none of the given solutions works, consider talking to a networking expert. They should help you ping that computer on your local area network.

Why Can I Ping One Way But Not The Other?

It could be that the other PC is blocking incoming pings (or IMCP packets). To solve that issue, check your firewall’s configuration.

If you are using an antivirus, ensure that its firewall does not block any incoming connections. That way, you will be free to ping the other way, and you will network with every PC on the LAN.

If you use Windows Defender, here is a snapshot of the firewall settings:

Why Can’t I Ping A Server?

Again, you could be dealing with a firewall configuration issue. However, don’t beat yourself up because it is normal.

To be able to ping that server, edit the firewall settings using these steps (for Windows Defender):

1. Press the Windows button (on the keyboard) + S to pull up the Start Menu side screen

2. Then, type firewall and click the app that brings the best match. That should be Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security.

3. Look under the Overview section to see all the settings. Since you have problems pinging a server, you will notice that all the outbound connections are marked red (disallowed).

4. To edit, click the hyperlink labeled Windows Defender Firewall Properties.

5. Under each profile, set the outbound connections to Allow.

Now, try pinging the server. It should work, considering that you have refreshed the settings.

How Do I Fix Ping General Failure?

The general failure error is unique, and thus, we provide these specific solutions:

1. If your Windows version has been accepting IPv6, set it to accept IPv4 instead.

2. If you have any apps stopping HTTP traffic, uninstall them.

3. If you have any IPv6 or IPv4 technologies, disable them.

4. Reset your PC’s TCP/IP.

TechBiva 101: For a deeper explanation of dealing with the ping failure issues, click here.

How Can I Find The IP Address Of Another Computer On My Network?

To find the IP address of another PC, access the admin page of your network’s router. The page will give you info about the connection, which includes:

1. Number of devices connected

2. Connection status and type

3. IP addresses connected to the network

4. Connection duration

5. DNS server details, et cetera

Here is a snapshot of one admin page from one of us here at TechBiva:

Now, here is another showing the IP addresses of all the connected PCs:

So, you should Google your router’s name on a device connected to the same network. Once it opens, see the connected PCs, click on them, and copy the IP addresses.

Conclusion

If you couldn’t ping your computer on a network, you now have multiple ways to do so. However, your go-to solution should be refreshing the network. Sometimes, PCs just need to be shaken up a bit to perform optimally.

Also, ensure you start by troubleshooting the problem before trying to solve it.

Firewalls also play a crucial role in networking. So, check their settings to understand why you cannot ping your PC, especially to a server.

And that was it!

If you found value in the read, consider sharing the article with others. That way, you will help them stay ahead of pinging problems and other network-related issues. TechBiva will appreciate your feedback, so enjoy yourself in the boxes below.

Now, since you are done here, why don’t I interest you in some related topics?

1. How To Protect Your Home Network From Outsiders | Step By Step Guide

2. What Is Network Security Key And How To Find It On Different Devices? 

3. A Network Change Was Detected | What This Means And How To Fix It? 

4. Which Are The Best Wi-Fi Network Booster Apps For Android Mobiles?

5. What Is Microsoft Network Adapter Multiplexor Protocol Windows 10?

Bye for now, and see you in the next one!