Workgroup works via LAN but not via Wi-Fi

Hi Alessandro Quarta,

I understand how confusing this is when your Workgroup is not working, since it worked before the reinstall and still works fine over Ethernet. The Q&A Assist already covered the basic troubleshootings, so here I’ll just add a few more targeted things to check:

1 - Test access using IP instead of device name

• On the Desktop, press Win + R > enter: \<Your_Lenovo_IP>
• If this works, the issue is likely NetBIOS/SMB discovery

2 - Mismatched credentials blocking access

• On the Desktop, open Control Panel > Credential Manager
• Remove any saved entries related to the Lenovo laptop
• Try accessing again > re-enter the username/password

3 - Verify the shared folder permissions

• Right-click the shared folder on Lenovo > Properties
• Go to Sharing tab > Advanced Sharing > Permissions
• Ensure Everyone or your user has Read/Write access
• Also open Security tab > confirm the same permissions.

Since the Desktop can see the Lenovo but cannot open it over Wi‑Fi, the issue is likely access/authorization or how the connection is resolved. Let's me know if there's any new behaviors after the checks!

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Check the following on the LENOVO when it is on Wi‑Fi, since access works over Ethernet but not over Wi‑Fi and works only one way:

1. Confirm both connections are on the same network profile type
   After switching from Ethernet to Wi‑Fi, Windows might set the Wi‑Fi network as Public, which blocks file sharing:

• Go to Settings > Network & internet.
• Select the Wi‑Fi network in use.
• Ensure the network profile is set to Private, not Public.

2. Verify network discovery and file sharing on Wi‑Fi
   These settings are per‑profile (Private/Public), so they can differ between Ethernet and Wi‑Fi:

• Open Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center.
• Select Change advanced sharing settings.
• Under the Private profile, ensure:
  • Turn on network discovery is enabled.
  • Turn on file and printer sharing is enabled.
• Make sure these are enabled for the profile used by Wi‑Fi.

3. Check Windows Defender Firewall rules for Wi‑Fi
   Firewall rules can allow file sharing on Ethernet but block it on Wi‑Fi:

• Open Control Panel → Windows Defender Firewall → Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
• Ensure File and Printer Sharing and Network Discovery are allowed on Private networks.

4. Confirm IP addressing and connectivity over Wi‑Fi
   Make sure the LENOVO has a valid IP and can be reached from the DESKTOP over Wi‑Fi:

• On the LENOVO (Wi‑Fi), open Command Prompt as administrator and run:
  • ipconfig to confirm it has a normal IP (not 169.254.x.x). If it shows 169.254.x.x, follow the IP/DHCP checks in the reference article.
• From the DESKTOP, try ping <LENOVO_IP>.
  • If ping fails, there may be router isolation between wired and wireless or a Wi‑Fi isolation setting on the router.

5. Reset network stack on the LENOVO (Wi‑Fi side)
   If configuration looks correct but access still fails, reset the network components on the LENOVO:

• Open Command Prompt as administrator and run, in order:
  • netsh winsock reset
  • netsh int ip reset
  • ipconfig /release
  • ipconfig /renew
  • ipconfig /flushdns
• Restart the LENOVO and test again over Wi‑Fi.

6. As a last resort, use Network Reset on the LENOVO
   If nothing else works:

• Go to Settings > Network & internet.
• On Windows 11, select Advanced network settings > Network reset.
• Select Reset now and confirm, then restart.
  After restart, reconnect to Wi‑Fi, set the network to Private, re‑enable file sharing, and test again.

If the DESKTOP can ping the LENOVO over Wi‑Fi and all sharing/firewall settings are correct for the Wi‑Fi Private profile, but access still fails only when the LENOVO is on Wi‑Fi, check the router for any wireless isolation or guest network features that block inbound connections from wired devices.

References:

• Fix Wi-Fi connection issues in Windows
• Fix Ethernet connection problems in Windows