Are you facing issues with Windows 11 Nearby Sharing not detecting other devices? This comprehensive troubleshooting guide will help you resolve this problem effectively. Nearby Sharing is a convenient feature on Windows 11 that allows you to quickly share files, links, and more with nearby devices. However, if your Windows 11 device is unable to detect other devices for sharing, it can be frustrating. Let’s dive into the possible reasons for this issue and the step-by-step solutions to fix it.
Possible Reasons for Nearby Sharing Not Detecting Other Devices:
Before we delve into the solutions, it’s essential to understand the potential causes behind the Windows 11 Nearby Sharing problem:
- Network Connectivity Issues
- Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Problems
- Firewall or Antivirus Interference
- Outdated Drivers
- Incorrect Sharing Settings
Step-by-Step Solutions to Fix Windows 11 Nearby Sharing Issue:
1. Check Network Connectivity:
Ensure that both your device and the target device are connected to the same network. Restart your router if needed to resolve any network connectivity issues.
2. Verify Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Settings:
Make sure that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled on both devices. Disable and re-enable these settings to refresh the connections.
3. Disable Firewall or Antivirus:
Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus software to check if they are blocking the Nearby Sharing feature. Remember to re-enable them after troubleshooting.
4. Update Device Drivers:
Check for any pending driver updates in Device Manager. Update the Bluetooth and network adapter drivers to ensure compatibility with Nearby Sharing.
5. Adjust Sharing Settings:
Go to Settings > System > Shared experiences and ensure that Nearby Sharing is enabled. Adjust the sharing settings as needed to allow detection of other devices.
Expert Insights on Windows 11 Nearby Sharing:
According to IT support specialists, the Nearby Sharing issue on Windows 11 is commonly associated with network configuration errors or outdated drivers. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined above, users can effectively resolve this problem and enjoy seamless file sharing between devices.
In conclusion, troubleshooting the Windows 11 Nearby Sharing not detecting other devices problem requires a systematic approach to identify and address the underlying causes. By following the detailed solutions provided in this guide, you can successfully fix this issue and enhance your sharing experience on Windows 11.

DrayTek Vigor 2962 2.5Gb Ethernet Dual-WAN Broadband Firewall Router, 200 VPN Tunnels, 20 VLANS, QOS, Remote Management, Load Balancing
High Performance Multi-WAN Router - The Vigor 2962 makes full use of FTTP Fibre Broadband at up to 2.2Gbps throughput for single or multi-WAN configurations. With Quality of Service, Firewall and Content Filtering.
Buy Now on Amazon
NETGEAR Orbi Mesh WiFi 6 System (RBK763S) , Mesh Router & 2 Extenders , Cover Every Room, Up To 6,000 Sq Ft , Improve WiFi Speeds up to 5.4 Gbps & 75 devices , Simple App Set Up
WiFI mesh coverage of up to 6,000 sq ft and up to 75 devices, With each satellite (sold separately) you can extend the range by up to 2,000 sq ft
Buy Now on Amazon
DrayTek Vigor 2865Lax-5G Ethernet Router, WiFi 6 AX3000 Wireless and 5G Failover, Integrated 5G Modem, 5+1 GbE LAN Ports with VLANs, VDSL
VDSL and Ethernet Load Balancer - Connect the Vigor 2865 to Superfast Fibre with the integrated VDSL modem. Use the Ethernet WAN with Cable and Ultrafast FTTP. Load Balance multiple connections to boost performance.
Buy Now on Amazon
TP-Link Archer BE550 Router WiFi 7 BE9300Mbps, Tri-Band WiFi Router, 2.5G Ports,USB Port,Maximized Coverage,VPN Router, Parental Control, HomeShield Security, Private IoT Network,Easy Setup,EasyMesh
Wi-Fi 7 Routers: With powerful Wi-Fi 7 performance, lightning-fast wired connections, and brand-new design
Buy Now on Amazon
QNAP TS-253A-4G 2 Bay NAS Enclosure with 4GB RAM - Black (GDPR Compliant)
NAS and iSCSI-SAN unified storage solution for server virtualization
Buy Now on Amazon
WD 16TB My Cloud EX2 Ultra 2-bay NAS - Network Attached Storage RAID, file sync, streaming, media server, with WD Red drives
Centralised network storage: Organise your entire media collection, photos and files in one central, network location
Buy Now on Amazon
Synology DX517 5 Bay Desktop Network Attached Storage Expansion Enclosure, Black
Online volume expansion
Buy Now on Amazon
QNAP TS-431XeU-8G 4 Bay Short-depth Rackmount NAS Enclosure with 10GbE SFP+ & 8GB RAM
The short depth design is suitable for installing in smaller racks or space-constrained locations
Buy Now on Amazon
Seagate 10 TB IronWolf NAS 3.5 Inch Hard Drive ST10000VN0008 (SATA 6 Gb/s/256 MB/7200 RPM)
Model Number: ST10000VN0008
Buy Now on Amazon
QNAP TS-673A-8G 6 Bay Desktop NAS Enclosure - 8GB RAM, AMD Ryzen Quad-core 2.2 GHz Processor - with 2.5GbE connectivity & supporting PCIe expansion
8GB DDR4 RAM (2 x SODIMM slots, max. 64GB, optional ECC RAM support)
Buy Now on Amazon
Synology DS1621+ 48TB 6 Bay Desktop NAS Solution, installed with 6 x 8TB Western Digital Red Plus Drives
Accelerated Performance: 174% higher 4K random read IOPS and 76% faster sequential write speeds compared to its predecessor
Buy Now on Amazon
Synology DS1823xs+ 8 Bay NAS Desktop: High-Performance Storage Solution
Powerful Performance - Over 3,100/2,600 MB/s sequential read/write throughput and over 173,100/80,800 random read/write IOPS2 support heavier applications
Buy Now on Amazon