• The article explains what causes the “The specified network name is no longer available” error in Windows and how to fix it with some simple troubleshooting steps.
• The article provides five possible solutions for the error, such as restarting the network resource and your computer, checking the network cable and router, disabling firewall and antivirus software, updating network adapter driver, and running system file checker.
• The article also includes some frequently asked questions related to the error, such as how to find or change the name or IP address of the network resource, and how to delete a network drive that you no longer need.

Have you ever encountered the Error message “The specified Network name is no longer available” when trying to access a shared folder or file on a network? If so, you are not alone. This is a common error that can occur due to various reasons, such as network configuration issues, firewall settings, antivirus software, or corrupted system files. In this article, we will explain what this error means, what causes it, and how to fix it with some simple troubleshooting steps.

What Does “The specified network name is no longer available” Error Mean?

This error means that Windows cannot access the Network Resource that you are trying to access. This could be a shared folder, a printer, a scanner, or any other device that is connected to the network. The error indicates that there is a problem with the network connection or the network resource itself.

What Causes “The specified network name is no longer available” Error?

There are many possible causes for this error, but some of the most common ones are:

• The network resource is offline or disconnected from the network.
• The network resource has changed its name or IP address.
• The network cable or router is faulty or unplugged.
• The firewall or antivirus software is blocking the network access.
• The network adapter driver is outdated or corrupted.
• The system files related to networking are damaged or missing.

How to Fix “The specified network name is no longer available” Error?

Depending on the cause of the error, there are different solutions that you can try. Here are some of the most effective ones:

Solution 1: Restart the Network Resource and Your Computer

Sometimes, the error can be resolved by simply restarting the network resource and your computer. This can refresh the network connection and clear any temporary glitches that might be causing the error. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Turn off the network resource that you are trying to access, such as a shared folder, a printer, or a scanner.
2. Turn off your computer and wait for a few seconds.
3. Turn on the network resource and wait for it to boot up completely.
4. Turn on your computer and try to access the network resource again.

If this does not work, move on to the next solution.

Solution 2: Check the Network Cable and Router

Another possible cause of the error is a faulty or unplugged network cable or router. To check this, follow these steps:

• Make sure that the network cable that connects your computer to the router is plugged in securely and not damaged.
• Make sure that the router is powered on and working properly. You can check this by looking at the LED indicators on the router or by accessing its web interface from another device.
• If you are using a wireless connection, make sure that your computer is within range of the router and that the wireless signal is strong enough. You can check this by looking at the wireless icon on your taskbar or by running a network troubleshooter from Windows settings.
• If you find any problems with the network cable or router, try to replace them or contact your internet service provider for assistance.

If this does not work, move on to the next solution.

Solution 3: Disable Firewall and Antivirus Software

Sometimes, the firewall or antivirus software on your computer can block the network access and cause the error. To check this, follow these steps:

1. Temporarily disable your firewall and antivirus software on your computer. You can do this by right-clicking on their icons on your taskbar and selecting “Disable” or “Turn off”.
2. Try to access the network resource again and see if the error persists.
3. If the error is gone, then you need to adjust your firewall and antivirus settings to allow the network access. You can do this by opening their interfaces and adding an exception or a rule for the network resource that you are trying to access.
4. If the error is still there, then you can re-enable your firewall and antivirus software and move on to the next solution.

Solution 4: Update Network Adapter Driver

Another possible cause of the error is an outdated or corrupted network adapter driver on your computer. To check this, follow these steps:

1. Open Device Manager by pressing Windows + X keys and selecting “Device Manager” from the menu.
2. Expand “Network adapters” and right-click on your network adapter and select “Update driver”.
3. Select “Search automatically for updated driver software” and wait for Windows to find and install the latest driver for your network adapter.
4. Restart your computer and try to access the network resource again.

If this does not work, move on to the next solution.

Solution 5: Run System File Checker

The last possible cause of the error is damaged or missing system files related to networking on your computer. To check this, follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator by pressing Windows + X keys and selecting “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the menu.
2. Type “sfc /scannow” and press Enter. This will scan and repair any corrupted or missing system files on your computer.
3. Wait for the process to complete and restart your computer.
4. Try to access the network resource again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the frequently asked questions related to the “The specified network name is no longer available” error:

Question: How do I find the name or IP address of the network resource that I am trying to access?

Answer: You can find the name or IP address of the network resource by using the ping command. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator by pressing Windows + X keys and selecting “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the menu.
2. Type “ping ” and press Enter. For example, if you are trying to access a shared folder named “Documents” on a computer named “PC1”, type “ping PC1\Documents” and press Enter.
3. If the ping is successful, you will see the IP address of the network resource in the output. For example, you might see something like this:

Pinging PC1\Documents [192.168.1.100] with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.1.100: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.100: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.100: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=128
Reply from 192.168.1.100: bytes=32 time=2ms TTL=128

Ping statistics for 192.168.1.100:
    Packets: Sent = 4, Received = 4, Lost = 0 (0% loss),
Approximate round trip times in milli-seconds:
    Minimum = 2ms, Maximum = 2ms, Average = 2ms

In this case, the IP address of the network resource is 192.168.1.100.

Question: How do I change the name or IP address of the network resource that I am trying to access?

Answer: You can change the name or IP address of the network resource by using the net use command. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator by pressing Windows + X keys and selecting “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the menu.
2. Type “net use : \ /persistent:yes” and press Enter. For example, if you want to change the name or IP address of a shared folder named “Documents” on a computer named “PC1” to “PC2” or “192.168.1.101”, type “net use Z: \PC2\Documents /persistent:yes” or “net use Z: \192.168.1.101\Documents /persistent:yes” and press Enter.
3. If the command is successful, you will see a message like this:

The command completed successfully.

You can now access the network resource using the new name or IP address.

Question: How do I delete a network drive that I no longer need?

Answer: You can delete a network drive that you no longer need by using the net use command with the /delete switch. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator by pressing Windows + X keys and selecting “Command Prompt (Admin)” from the menu.
2. Type “net use : /delete” and press Enter. For example, if you want to delete a network drive Z: that is mapped to a shared folder named “Documents” on a computer named “PC1”, type “net use Z: /delete” and press Enter.
3. If the command is successful, you will see a message like this:

Z: was deleted successfully.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. The solutions provided here may not work for everyone and may have some risks or side effects. Always backup your data before making any changes to your system and consult a qualified technician if you are unsure about anything.

Conclusion

We hope this article has helped you understand what causes the “The specified network name is no longer available” error in Windows and how to fix it with some simple troubleshooting steps. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to leave a comment below.

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