How to fix constant 'Enter Network Credentials' message on Windows

While this feature is essential for protecting your important files and improving overall system security, it can also sometimes cause problems.

A common issue is when Network Credential Manager continues to display the "Enter Network Credentials" dialog box, even when you enter the correct credentials. In this guide, we will walk you through some troubleshooting methods that you can try to put an end to this problem completely.

1. Modify Advanced Sharing settings

Incorrectly set Advanced Sharing settings are one of the most common causes of this error. Ideally, your PC should be allowed to manage homegroup connections. You can also use the Advanced Sharing settings page to turn off password-protected sharing, which will allow you to share files without logging in.

Here's how you can correctly configure Advanced Sharing settings:

1. Locate the network icon on your taskbar and right-click on it.

2. Select Network and Internet settings from the context menu.

How to fix constant 'Enter Network Credentials' message on Windows Picture 1

3. In the next window, select Network and Sharing Center .

4. Select the Change advanced sharing settings option on the left.

5. Now, enable the Allow Windows to manage homegroup connections (recommended) option in Homegroup connections .

6. Click Save changes (you will need admin access for this).

7. Now, expand the All Networks section and enable the Turn off password protected sharing option .

How to fix constant 'Enter Network Credentials' message on Windows Picture 2

8. Click the Save changes button to complete the process.

After you transfer files, turn password-protected sharing back on so others can't easily access your PC.

2. Use Microsoft account credentials or computer name

You can also try logging in to the target PC using your Microsoft account credentials instead of the local username and password.

Additionally, you can also try using the name of the computer you are using along with your username in the text field associated with Username. Do not enter spaces, dashes, or any other symbols between names.

If the problem is related to login information, either of these methods can help you get rid of the problem permanently.

3. Manually add the target computer's credentials to Credential Manager

Another way to fix the problem is to manually add the target computer's credentials to Credential Manager and see if that makes a difference.

Here's how you can do it:

1. Type "Credential Manager" into Windows Search and click Open .

2. Select Windows Credential and click Add a Windows Credential .

How to fix constant 'Enter Network Credentials' message on Windows Picture 3

3. Now add the username, computer name and password of the computer you are trying to access. Check if you can now share files with other devices successfully.

4. Create new user accounts on both devices

Sometimes user accounts get corrupted and prevent you from performing certain actions. If this happens on your PC or the target computer, it can interrupt the file sharing process.

To fix this problem, first try switching to a different user account on your computer and see if that works. If this strategy fails then you should create new user accounts on both devices with the same username and password. Make sure that both accounts have admin privileges. While you're at it, you should temporarily disable any third-party antivirus programs you may be using as they can sometimes block network access.

If the root of the problem is a corrupted user account then this should be enough to fix the problem.

5. Restart the Credential Manager service

The problem can also occur with the Credential Manager service itself instead of the targeted computer or network settings on your device. In this method, we will first enable the Credential Manager service if this service is disabled.

If it worked then restart the service and see if that helps. Here's what you need to do:

1. Press Win + R to open Run.

2. Enter services.msc into Run and click Enter.

3. In the next window, find the Credential Manager service and right-click on it.

4. Select Properties from the context menu.

5. If the service is disabled, click the Start button to enable it.

6. In case the service is already running, click the Stop button , wait a few seconds and then press the Start button .

How to fix constant 'Enter Network Credentials' message on Windows Picture 4

7. Make sure that Startup type is set to Automatic .

How to fix constant 'Enter Network Credentials' message on Windows Picture 5

8. Click Apply > OK to save the changes.

Now, try connecting to the target computer and see if you can do so without any problem.

6. Make changes to Local Security Policy

Some users have also tried to fix the problem by modifying the setting of the policy "Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only". Here's what you can try:

1. Press the Win + R keys to open Run.

2. Type "secpol.msc" into Run and click Enter.

3. In the window, navigate to the following location:

Local Policies > Security Options > Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only

4. Select Disabled and click Apply > OK to save changes.

How to fix constant 'Enter Network Credentials' message on Windows Picture 6

5. Restart the computer and check if the problem is resolved.

7. Try using Safe Mode With Networking

If the credentials you are entering and all network configurations on the system are correct, there may be a system-level error.

In this case, you can boot into Safe Mode to determine the cause of the problem. Safe Mode starts Windows with only the basic set of drivers and applications - the things needed for the operating system to function.

There are several types of Safe Mode including Minimal, Alternate Shells, Active Directory Repair and Network. In this method, we will boot Windows into Safe Mode With Networking. This mode launches Windows with the necessary drivers and programs to connect the system to the Internet or other devices over the network.

If the current error does not appear in Safe Mode then it is likely that malware or another software issue is causing the problem. Here's what you need to do:

1. Go to the Start menu and click the Power button .

2. Select Restart while holding the Shift key.

3. Wait for Windows to boot into recovery mode and then select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options .

4. Navigate to Startup Settings > Restart .

5. In the next window, press the F5 key on the keyboard to boot into Safe Mode With Networking.

How to fix constant 'Enter Network Credentials' message on Windows Picture 7

6. After you log in to Safe Mode, try connecting to the device you were previously trying to connect to. If the error does not appear in Safe Mode, then you may want to report this issue to Microsoft's official support team and wait for them to fix it.

In case you cannot access this Windows state using the steps outlined above, you can try other ways of booting into Safe Mode.

Marvin Fry

Update 21 September 2023