Linksys has become an apt choice for everyone in need of a seamless Wi-Fi connection. This is because they have various routers available, along with new features. For instance, they have an external storage tool that allows users to manage external devices (storage devices). On the contrary, some users have been struggling with Linksys external storage not working, and we are here with the fixes!
Linksys External Storage Not Working
1) Configuration
When it concerns the external storage on Linksys, the configuration plays an important role. For instance, before you insert the external storage device on the router, make sure the router has a proper configuration. In addition, the router must be working properly because the wrong configuration can adversely impact the functionality. So, correct the configuration settings on the Linksys router, and external storage will start working.
2) Connection
The external storage devices are usually the USBs through which people share the data and files. However, if the connection is not optimal with the Linksys router, the external storage is not going to work. So, you need to ensure that the external storage device must be connected to the USB port of the router. Once the connection is streamlined, the storage feature will work fine.
3) File Systems
Linksys routers are meant to work optimally if the file systems are correct. In simpler words, the routers must be installed with the supported file systems to ensure the outcome is optimal. In addition, keep in mind that supported file systems are designed as per the router. So, just check the router’s specifications and download the supported file system. As a result, the correct file systems will promise the streamlined functionality of external storage.
4) Mapping The Drive
When it comes down to the Linksys routers, mapping the network drive will help resolve the external storage issues. With mapping, the users tend to create a connection to the drive even if it’s not connected to the computer. However, the router users can only map the drive on the Mac or Windows devices. In addition, before you map the drive, make sure that the router has been set with the correct IP address. The Linksys routers should be set on 192.168.1.1 because it’s the default IP address.
5) Formats
When using the external storage feature on your Linksys router, you will need to ensure that there is a correct format set on the USB storage devices. With this feature, you need to utilize either NTFS or FAT32 formats. The users can format the hard drive through FAT32, but you can even use the empty hard drive for optimizing the computability. However, if FAT32 doesn’t work, you can opt for the NTFS format.
6) Router Firmware
The firmware is a crucial part of optimizing the features. With this being said, if external storage is not working even after following the troubleshooting methods, there are chances of firmware issues. The firmware updates are highly likely to resolve the configuration or software issues associated with external storage feature. The users can download the firmware update for their specific router model on the official website.
Help!!!!
Why is my PC running …
Windows 10 Pro
Version 20H2
Installed on ?7/?21/?2021
OS build 19042.1165
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.3530.0
Unable to see the USB Drive attached to my Linksys EA9300 Max-Stream AC4000 Tri-Band Wi-Fi Router? This is happening only on 1 of 3 of my PC’s all running Windows 10. Works fine from the other 2. I am sure there is a setting somewhere that is driving me crazy trying to find. Here is how I am attempting to access this drive.
I opened Explorer, Clicked on ‘This PC’, Right Clicked and selected “Map Network Drive”
From there I entered the address “\\192.168.1.1\” and clicked on “Connect using different credentials” (I have the drive set with “Secure Folder Access” turned on and myself set up as a user on the drive with a separate password. I then clicked on “Browse” the only thing that shows up in the list is my other 2 PC’s.
I can even access this drive from an app on my iPhone called FileBrowser, so I know the drive is formatted correctly (NTFS), I can see it from the Linksys Smart Wi-Fi (192.168.1.1) Webpage, and connect and transfer files from my other PC’s and iPhone.
Any help is greatly appreciated!!!
None of these suggestions worked for me. For four years I’ve been trying to get Win 10 Pro machines to access an NAS attached to a WRT3200ACM with no success. Every other PC, whether it be Win XP, Win 7 Pro, Win 10 Home or LINUX, including my Oppo UDP-203, have never had a problem accessing this media drive. My two Win 10 Pro machines have never been able to do this. Even after enabling SMB 1.0 and NetBIOS.
The odd part is that in late March, Win 10 Pro had a 3 week window where access to the NAS worked, and it was automatic. For a week, I could access NAS drive by device name only–IP address would produce an error. After a week, the device name failed to work, so I tried IP address and that worked–for two weeks. then I rebooted my PC last night and can no longer access the NAS at all. Other devices NOT running Win 10 Pro can access it without issue.
If it weren’t for the fact that so much of my software suite only runs on Windows or Mac, I would be running LINUX now. Windows has had over 30 years to figure out networking and they STILL can’t get it right.
This didn’t take long to figure out. The Linksys external SMB share uses SMB1, which is obsolete due to being unsecure. Windows 10 requires SMB2 (unless you compromise your system’s security and manually enable SMB1). I’m actually quite shocked and appalled that the new Linksys router I just purchased uses SMB1. On top of that, it doesn’t even support SFTP. If you enable FTP is opens port 21 wide open to the internet. I’m unsure what the engineers over at Linksys have been smoking, but I suggest that they just kill the external device feature all together if modern and more secure protocols aren’t used. For customers like myself, either purchase a true NAS device or just plug the external device into a computer and use it that way.