How to fix 'Network Resource Unavailable' error on Windows

It's frustrating when you're trying to share files on your local network or update your software to the latest version but you can't.

One of the main reasons behind such problems is the "Network Resource Unavailable" error. This means that the resource (file) you are trying to access is no longer available for various reasons. Don't worry, you're not the only one facing this problem.

Let's take a closer look at the possible solutions to fix the Network Resource Unavailable error on Windows.

Why does the Network Resource Unavailable error occur?

As stated above, this error mainly occurs when the resource is not available in the backend. It may be because the file or folder you are trying to access has been deleted from the server (network).

Here are some other common causes of the Network Resource Unavailable error:

1. Unstable or disconnected network connection : If your Internet connection is unstable or disconnected, Windows will have trouble downloading files correctly.
2. Firewall and anti-virus software restrictions : or yours can sometimes block access to certain network resources. They can block because of mistaken virus detection.
3. Software glitches : While rare, it's possible that the software you're trying to update has some internal problem or is faulty causing the problem.

These are just a few possible causes of the Network Resource Unavailable error. Now, move on to the methods below for suggested fixes. Remember to do it sequentially to avoid any trouble.

How to fix "Network Resource Unavailable" error on Windows

1. Check the network connection

Whenever you encounter a network-related error, the first step is to check the Internet connection. It ensures that your WiFi or Ethernet connection is not the main cause of the error.

If you use a wireless connection, try the old trick of turning it off and on again. If that doesn't work, try resetting the router or modem. Also, make sure that your WiFi or Ethernet cable is properly connected.

But what if your other devices have the same problem? In such a situation, it could be a network-wide problem. So contact your Internet service provider (ISP) for help.

2. Temporarily disable firewall and anti-virus software

If you can't access network resources, disable your firewall and anti-virus software to see if that fixes the problem.

Follow TipsMake's instructions on how to disable the Windows firewall for the necessary steps. If disabling the firewall resolves the error, whitelist the resource first and then re-enable the firewall.

If you use third-party antivirus software, disable it through its settings or dashboard. Remember that disabling your anti-virus software can put your computer at risk. So, re-enable antivirus protection after you access the resource.

3. Enable Network Discovery on the computer

Network Discovery is a Windows installation that makes your computer visible on your home network or local server. If Network Discovery is turned off by accident in the settings, you can't find other devices nor transfer anything on the network.

In this case, you should try enabling Network Discovery on the computer to access the resource. But how to do that?

Follow these steps to enable the Network Discovery feature from Windows Settings:

1. Press Win + I to open the Windows Settings application.

2. Navigate to Network & internet from the left sidebar.

3. Then go to Advanced network settings > Advanced sharing settings to access all network sharing options.

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4. Now, expand your current network configuration. Network configuration means you are using Private or Public network . If you don't know, just click Current profile .

5. Click the toggle next to Network discovery to enable the feature. The status will change to On.

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4. Clear DNS cache on Windows

Clearing the DNS cache will remove any outdated or corrupted resource information stored on your computer. This forces your computer to re-establish a new connection and re-fetch resources without issue.

Follow these simple steps to clear your computer's DNS cache:

1. Open the Windows Power menu by pressing Win + X .

2. Select Terminal (Admin) from the list. If there is no such option, select Command Prompt (Admin) .

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3. Type the command to clear DNS: ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter. This will execute the command and clear the DNS resolver cache.

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4. Now you can try to share files on the network again.

In case the problem is caused by your network configuration being wrong, clearing the DNS cache may not always work. So, let's move on to the next step to reset the network configuration to default.

5. Reset TCP/IP settings

You don't need to be confused with the term "TCP/IP". In simpler terms, TCP/IP means a network protocol that helps you download or upload files online. So now you can understand what happens if TCP/IP settings are messed up.

There are two ways to fix it: Restart the TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper service and use Command Prompt. The article will explain each way one by one.

First, let's start by resetting TCP/IP settings in a few steps:

1. Start by pressing Win + Q to bring up Windows search.

2. Type Services and press Enter to launch the Windows Services application, where you can manage all the services.

3. Locate the TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper service by scrolling down. Use the right mouse button and select the Restart option .

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4. Wait for a while until Windows forces restart the service. Once done, disconnect and then reconnect your Internet.

You need to do some more steps to solve this problem.

To get started, open Command Prompt with admin rights and type netsh int ip reset . Press the Enter key and restart your computer now.

After the reboot, the changes will take effect and you should no longer get the Network Resource Unavailable error.

6. Clear outdated ARP cache

Before moving on to the next steps, you must know what ARP cache is. Simply put, the Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) cache stores a unique ID that identifies all devices on the network. This helps your computer communicate with other devices efficiently.

But here's the bottom line: An outdated or incorrect ID in the ARP cache can lead to network resource unavailability. So clearing the ARP cache will remove such wrong or corrupted IDs.

Keep in mind that clearing the ARP cache may temporarily disrupt ongoing network connections. So you should save your work before continuing.

To work around this issue, follow the steps below to clear out of date ARP cache:

1. Press the Win + Q keys simultaneously to open the Windows search menu.
2. Enter Command Prompt and select Run as administrator from the right sidebar.
3. To delete all outdated ARP cache entries, type netsh interface ip delete arpcache and press Enter.

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After completing the steps, your computer will no longer store outdated ARP cache entries.

Isabella Humphrey

Update 27 June 2023