| Problem | | Possible solutions |
|---|
You might have a Windows operating system that restricts your homegroup use. | | HomeGroup is available in Windows 8, Windows RT and Windows 7. You can join a homegroup on a PC running Windows RT, but you can't create a homegroup or share content with the homegroup. In Windows 7 Starter and Windows 7 Home Basic, you can join a homegroup but you can’t create one. |
You might not be connected to a network, or you might not be connected to the right network. | | To connect to a network, follow these steps: Connect to a network by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Settings (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Settings), and then tapping or clicking the network icon ( or  ). Tap or click the network you want to connect to, and then tap or click Connect.
After you've connected to the network, you can create or join a homegroup. |
Network sharing might be turned off. | | To turn on network sharing, follow these steps: View a list of available networks by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Settings (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Settings), and then tapping or clicking the network icon ( or ). Press and hold or right-click the network you're connected to, then tap or click Turn sharing on or off.
This setting is only available for WiFi and Ethernet networks, and it's unavailable for domain networks. Tap or click Yes, turn on sharing and connect to devices.
|
Date and time might be incorrect. | | Make sure all PCs have the correct date and time. To change the date or time, follow these steps: -
Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, then tap Search.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the top-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, then click Search.)
In the search box, enter date and time, then tap or click Settings. In the list of results, tap or click Date and Time. Tap or click Change date and time.
 You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.
|
Two or more PCs on the network might have the same name. | | Each PC in a homegroup must have a unique computer name. To check the computer name, follow these steps on each PC in the homegroup: Open System by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering System in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking System. The computer name is listed under Computer name, domain and workgroup settings.
|
The other PCs in your homegroup might not be in the home, might have left the homegroup or might be turned off, sleeping or hibernating. | | For information on changing power saving options, see Power plans: Frequently asked questions. |
Network discovery might be turned off. | | To turn on network discovery, follow these steps: Open Advanced sharing settings by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering advanced sharing in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking Manage advanced sharing settings. Tap or click the chevron  to expand the Private network profile. Tap or click Turn on network discovery, then tap or click Save changes.
You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.
|
Your system administrator might have turned off HomeGroup. | | If you're connected to a domain network, your system administrator might have turned off HomeGroup completely. In that case, you won't be able to join a homegroup. |
One or more required services might not be running. | | The Peer Networking Grouping and HomeGroup Provider services must both be running. Here's how to check this: Open Administrative Tools by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering Administrative Tools in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking Administrative Tools. Double-tap or double-click Services.
You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice. In the Status column, next to the Peer Networking Grouping and HomeGroup Provider services, you should see the word Running. If you don't see this, double-tap or double-click the name of the service, then tap or click Start.
|
IPv6 might be disabled. | | Your network connection must have IPv6 enabled to create or join a homegroup. To enable IPv6, run the HomeGroup troubleshooter using the link at the top of this article. |
The peer networking idstore.sst file might be damaged. | | If you see the message "Windows can't set up a homegroup on this PC. Error code 0x80630801." and you can't start the Peer Networking Grouping service using the procedure in the "One or more required services might not be running" section, follow these steps to remove the damaged file: -
Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, then tap Search.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the top-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, then click Search.)
In the search box, enter command prompt. In the list of results, press and hold or right-click Command Prompt then tap or click Run as administrator.
You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice. Delete the idstore.sset file found in the \Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Roaming\PeerNetworking folder of your system drive (for example, drive C). Restart your PC, then try joining the homegroup.
|
Your PC already belongs to a homegroup. | | You can only belong to one homegroup at a time. If you want to join a different homegroup, first leave the one your PC currently belongs to. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, then tap Change PC settings.
(If you're using a mouse, point to the top-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, click Settings, then click Change PC settings.) Tap or click HomeGroup, then tap or click Leave.
|
There might be a problem with your network. | | Try running the Network troubleshooter:
Open the Network troubleshooter by swiping in from the right edge of the screen, tapping Search (or if you're using a mouse, pointing to the upper-right corner of the screen, moving the mouse pointer down, and then clicking Search), entering network troubleshooter in the search box, tapping or clicking Settings, and then tapping or clicking Identify and repair network problems.
|
Other unknown problems. | | Sometimes, restarting your PC or leaving the homegroup and then rejoining it might help solve problems. |
