Fix the Enter Network Credentials Message in Windows

The “Enter network credentials” prompt appears when Windows asks for an account name and password to access a shared computer, folder, or drive. These steps help you identify which account the other computer expects, check sharing settings, and resolve common credential or network problems without weakening security.

What You’ll Need

Access to the computer or device hosting the shared folder, if you manage it.
The username and password for an account on that host that has permission to access the share. A Windows Hello PIN is not a substitute for the account password.
The host computer’s name or IP address, and the shared folder name, if you need to check the connection.

Step-by-Step

Confirm you are connecting to the right device. Check the computer name and share name with the person who set up the folder. On the host, open Settings > System > About to find its device name. A prompt can recur if you are connecting to a different PC than you think, or if a saved shortcut points to an old name.
Use an account that exists on the host computer. At the prompt, enter credentials for an account on the computer hosting the share, not necessarily the account you use on the computer in front of you. Try the host’s device name followed by a backslash and the username, such as HOSTNAME\username. If both computers use the same Microsoft account, use the account’s sign-in name and its password, rather than a PIN. For a local account, use the host’s local username and password. Do not guess repeatedly; confirm the correct account with the device owner.
Check the password and account status. Type the password carefully, including capitalization and keyboard layout. If the password was recently changed, use the current one. On the host, verify that the account is enabled and has a password. Windows may block network sign-in with a blank local-account password. Set a proper password for the account rather than trying to work around that restriction.
Make sure both computers are on the same reachable network. Check that they are connected to the expected home or work network and can access one another. VPNs, guest Wi-Fi, client isolation on a router, or different network segments can prevent discovery or file sharing. If appropriate for your trusted private network, disconnect a VPN temporarily or ask the network administrator whether the devices are allowed to communicate. Avoid changing settings on a managed work network without approval.
Check sharing on the host. In Windows, open Settings > Network & internet and confirm the host is connected to the intended network. Open Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Change advanced sharing settings. For a trusted private network, check that network discovery and file and printer sharing are enabled for the relevant profile. Under All networks, password-protected sharing generally requires a valid host account; leave it enabled unless an administrator has a specific, safe reason to configure otherwise.
Verify permissions for the folder. On the host, right-click the shared folder, select Properties, and open the Sharing tab. Use Advanced Sharing and Permissions to confirm the intended user or group is allowed. Also check the Security tab: both share permissions and file-system permissions apply, and access is limited by the more restrictive setting. Grant only the access the user needs.
Remove an outdated saved credential and try again. On the computer showing the prompt, search Windows for Credential Manager, open Windows Credentials, and look for an entry matching the host name or IP address. Remove only the entry you know is for this share. Reconnect to the share and enter the correct host account credentials. If asked whether to save them, do so only on a device you control and protect with a sign-in password.
Reconnect using the correct share path. In File Explorer’s address bar, enter \\HOSTNAME\SHARENAME, replacing both parts with the host and shared-folder names. You can also test with \\IP-ADDRESS\SHARENAME if you know the host’s current local IP address. If one form works and the other does not, name resolution may be the issue. Use the device name when possible; IP addresses can change.
Restart and retry. Close File Explorer and restart both computers if practical. Confirm that Windows is up to date and that the host remains awake and connected. Retry the share after the restart before changing advanced system or security settings.

Common Mistakes

Entering the client computer’s password: The prompt usually needs an account permitted on the computer hosting the files.
Entering a PIN: A Windows Hello PIN signs in locally; it is not the password requested for a network account.
Using the wrong username format: If the username alone fails, try HOSTNAME\username. A work or school network may require a domain-qualified account; ask its administrator for the correct format.
Changing permissions too broadly: Giving “Everyone” full control or turning off password-protected sharing can expose files to other devices. Use a specific account and the minimum necessary permissions.
Deleting every saved credential: Remove only the entry for the affected host. Other saved credentials may be needed for unrelated network resources.

Tips

Use a stable computer name and a clear share name, and write down the exact path for users who need access.
For a home network, set the network profile to Private only when it is a network you trust. Public networks should not have file sharing enabled.
If several people need access, an administrator can create a dedicated account with limited permissions instead of sharing a personal sign-in.
Never send passwords in a shared document or message. If credentials may have been exposed, change the account password and update any saved sign-ins.

Troubleshooting

The prompt returns after I enter the password. Check that the username belongs to the host, try the HOSTNAME\username format, and remove a stale Credential Manager entry for that host. Confirm the account has a password and is allowed by both the folder’s Sharing and Security permissions.

Windows says access is denied. The credentials may be valid, but the account may lack permission. Ask the host owner to review the shared-folder permissions and the Security tab. Do not grant broad access just to make the message disappear.

The host cannot be found. Recheck the computer and share names, make sure the host is powered on and connected, and test the path with its current local IP address if available. If the IP works but the name does not, check network discovery or name resolution. A router’s guest network or device-isolation feature may prevent access.

It works by IP address but not by computer name. This points to a name-resolution or discovery issue rather than a password problem. Confirm both devices are on the same permitted network and use the host’s current name. On managed networks, ask the administrator to investigate name resolution instead of making firewall changes yourself.

It stopped working after a Windows update or password change. Restart both computers, remove the saved credential for the affected host, and reconnect with the current password. If the problem persists on a work device, contact IT; organization policies may control network sign-in and sharing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Windows keep asking for network credentials?
Windows cannot validate the saved or entered sign-in for the host, or it is connecting to a different host than expected. Check the host account, password, path, and saved credentials.

Should I enter my Microsoft account email or username?
Use the sign-in details for an account that has access on the host. For a Microsoft account, its account sign-in and password may be required; for a local account, use the host’s local username and password. A PIN is not the network password.

Can I connect without a password?
Windows commonly prevents network sign-in with a blank local-account password. Set a password for the host account or use another authorized account. Avoid disabling password-protected sharing as a shortcut.

Where does Windows save network credentials?
Open Credential Manager and select Windows Credentials. You can inspect or remove an entry for a particular host there. Removing it means Windows will ask for credentials the next time you connect.

Is it safe to use an IP address instead of a computer name?
It can help test whether name resolution is the problem, provided you are using the correct address on a trusted network. A device’s address can change, so it may not be a reliable permanent path.

Should I turn on SMB 1.0 to fix this?
Not as a routine fix. SMB 1.0 is an outdated file-sharing protocol. Use current Windows sharing settings and ask an administrator about legacy devices rather than enabling an older protocol without a specific, verified need.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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