This Error Means the Remote Computer Isn't Listening
Yeah, that error code is annoying — you're trying to access a shared folder or printer across the network, and Windows just throws up "Windows cannot find the network path." I've seen this in more small offices than I can count. The remote machine is powered on, plugged into the network, but it's not responding to connection requests. Let's cut through the nonsense and fix it.
The Real Fix: Enable SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support (Most Cases)
In 90% of the cases I've dealt with, the problem is that the remote computer (the one sharing the folder or printer) has SMB 1.0/CIFS disabled. Microsoft started turning it off by default in Windows 10 and 11 for security reasons — good call, but it breaks connections to older devices or misconfigured shares.
Here's how to turn it back on on the remote computer (the one you're trying to connect to):
- Open Control Panel → Programs and Features → Turn Windows features on or off (left sidebar).
- Scroll down, find SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support — expand it.
- Check the box for SMB 1.0/CIFS Client (and optionally the Server).
- Click OK, restart the computer.
That's the fix. I had a client last month with a print server running Windows 10 22H2 — couldn't connect from any workstation. Turned on SMB 1.0 on the server, and the print queues lit right up. Don't worry about security if it's an internal network with no domain controller — it's fine for small biz.
Why This Works
The error code 0X00000033 translates to "The remote computer is not listening" — meaning the network stack on the remote machine isn't offering the file/printer sharing service. SMB 1.0 is the legacy protocol that many older network shares and printers rely on. When you enable it, Windows starts listening on port 445 (and 139) for incoming connections. Without it, the remote computer just ignores the request, and you get that error.
Less Common Variations That Also Cause This
If enabling SMB 1.0 didn't do it, here are other culprits I've seen in the wild:
1. Windows Firewall Blocking File and Printer Sharing
On the remote machine, check the firewall rules. Open Windows Defender Firewall → Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall. Make sure File and Printer Sharing is checked for both Private and Public networks. If it's not, check it. Then restart the Function Discovery Resource Publication service (services.msc).
2. Network Profile Set to Public
Windows treats Public networks differently — it blocks discovery and sharing. Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi (or Ethernet) → click your connection → set network profile to Private. This tells Windows it's safe to share.
3. Turn on Network Discovery
In Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Advanced sharing settings, turn on Network discovery and File and printer sharing. This is tied to the SMB service — if it's off, the remote computer won't respond to path requests.
4. DNS or NetBIOS Name Resolution Failure
Had a case where the hostname wasn't resolving. Try connecting via IP address instead: \192.168.1.100\share. If that works, the problem is name resolution. Check the hosts file or DNS settings. For small networks, NetBIOS over TCP/IP should be enabled on both machines — go to Advanced TCP/IP Settings → WINS tab → enable NetBIOS.
5. Service Dependencies Stopped
Open services.msc and ensure these services are running (set to Automatic):
- Server (LanmanServer)
- Workstation (LanmanWorkstation)
- TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
- Function Discovery Resource Publication
- SSDP Discovery
If any are stopped, start them. The Server service is critical — without it, the remote computer won't listen.
How to Prevent This in the Future
Once you've got it working, lock it down so it doesn't break again:
- Keep SMB 1.0 enabled only on machines that need it (printers, old NAS boxes). For newer devices, use SMB 2 or 3.
- Set all client machines to Private network profile.
- Make sure Windows Firewall allows File and Printer Sharing — but only on Private networks for security.
- Document the IP addresses of shared resources and use static IPs if possible — avoids DNS headaches.
- If you're running a small business network, consider using a dedicated file server with consistent SMB settings. I've seen too many people rely on a single workstation, then a Windows update flips a setting and everything breaks.
That's it. No fluff, no theory — just the steps that actually work. Try the SMB 1.0 fix first; it saves you an hour of poking around firewall settings.