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Dealing with the “Error Response Daemon Drive Sharing Blocked by Firewall” on Windows 11 can be frustrating. This error usually appears when your firewall settings prevent network sharing services from working properly. Fortunately, fixing it is often straightforward with the right steps.

In this guide, you will learn simple methods to resolve this issue. We will start from the easiest and most common solutions and move towards more advanced options if needed. No technical expertise is required—just follow each step carefully.

Understanding why your firewall blocks drive sharing helps prevent future problems. Windows Firewall is designed to protect your computer from unauthorized access, so sometimes it may block legitimate services if they are not allowed explicitly.

Let’s begin by checking some quick settings that could be stopping your drive sharing from working.

Quick Note: Prerequisites Before You Start

• Make sure your Windows 11 system is up to date. Updates often fix bugs and improve network features.
• Have administrator rights on your PC, as changing firewall settings requires admin access.
• Verify that your computer is connected to a trusted private network, like your home Wi-Fi. Public networks usually have stricter rules.
• Ensure that the device you want to share drives with is on the same network.

Step 1: Check Network Profile and Sharing Settings

The first thing to do is confirm that your network is set to “Private.” Public networks restrict sharing by default, which may cause the error.

1. Click the Start button and select Settings.
2. Go to Network & Internet.
3. Select your active network connection (like Wi-Fi or Ethernet).
4. Under Network profile type, ensure Private is selected.
5. Next, open Control Panel by searching for it in the Start menu.
6. Navigate to Network and Sharing Center.
7. Click Change advanced sharing settings on the left sidebar.
8. Expand Private profile and make sure Turn on network discovery and Turn on file and printer sharing are enabled.
9. Click Save changes.

Setting your network to Private and enabling sharing allows Windows to recognize trusted devices and share drives properly.

Step 2: Allow Drive Sharing Through Windows Firewall

Windows Firewall can block drive sharing services if they are not allowed through its rules. We will add exceptions to fix this.

1. Open the Start menu and type Windows Defender Firewall, then open it.
2. On the left, click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
3. Click Change settings (you may need to allow admin permissions).
4. Scroll through the list and find File and Printer Sharing.
5. Check both Private and Public boxes for this option.
6. Click OK to save changes.

This step explicitly allows drive sharing services to communicate through the firewall, which is essential for network sharing.

Step 3: Manually Create Firewall Rules for Drive Sharing (Advanced)

If the above steps do not solve the problem, you can create custom firewall rules to allow the necessary ports used for drive sharing.

1. Press Windows + R, type wf.msc, and press Enter to open Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security.
2. On the left, click Inbound Rules.
3. On the right panel, click New Rule….
4. Choose Port and click Next.
5. Select TCP and enter the following ports separated by commas: 139, 445, then click Next.
6. Choose Allow the connection and click Next.
7. Make sure all profiles (Domain, Private, Public) are checked, then click Next.
8. Name the rule something like SMB TCP Ports and click Finish.
9. Repeat steps 3 to 8 but choose UDP and ports 137, 138. Name this rule SMB UDP Ports.

These ports (139, 445 for TCP and 137, 138 for UDP) are used by the SMB protocol, which Windows uses for file and drive sharing. Allowing them ensures the firewall won’t block these services.

Step 4: Restart the “Function Discovery” Services

The Function Discovery services help your PC find other devices on the network and share files. Restarting them can fix issues related to sharing.

1. Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
2. In the Services window, locate Function Discovery Provider Host.
3. Right-click it and select Restart. If it is stopped, select Start.
4. Do the same for Function Discovery Resource Publication.
5. Close the Services window and try sharing your drive again.

Restarting these services refreshes network discovery, which can resolve sharing blockages caused by firewall or service errors.

Alternative Method: Temporarily Disable Windows Firewall

As a test, you can temporarily turn off the Windows Firewall to check if it is definitely the cause of the block. However, this is not recommended as a permanent solution because it leaves your PC vulnerable.

1. Open Settings and go to Privacy & security > Windows Security > Firewall & network protection.
2. Click on your active network profile.
3. Toggle off the Windows Defender Firewall.
4. Try sharing the drive; if it works, the firewall was blocking it.
5. Be sure to turn the firewall back on after testing.

FAQs

Why does the firewall block drive sharing?

Windows Firewall blocks network traffic that is not explicitly allowed to protect your computer from unauthorized access. Drive sharing requires certain ports and services to be allowed.

Can third-party firewalls cause this problem?

Yes, if you have another firewall or security software installed, it might block sharing. You will need to configure that firewall to allow drive sharing or temporarily disable it to test.

Is changing the network to Private safe?

Yes, setting your network profile to Private means you trust the network and want to enable sharing features. Avoid setting public networks as Private to keep your PC secure.

What if I still see the error after following these steps?

There might be other network or system issues. You can try resetting network settings or checking for updates. More advanced troubleshooting may be needed.

When Nothing Works

If the error persists after trying all the above methods, consider these final options:

• Reset Network Settings: Open Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings > Network reset. This will reinstall network adapters and restore defaults.
• Run the Network Troubleshooter: In Settings, search for “Network troubleshooter” and follow its guidance.
• Check Microsoft Support: Visit the official Microsoft Support website for updates or known issues.
• Contact IT Professional: If you are on a corporate or complex network, consult your IT administrator for assistance.

Conclusion

Fixing the “Daemon Drive Sharing Blocked by Firewall” error on Windows 11 is usually a matter of adjusting your network profile and firewall settings. By ensuring your network is set to Private, allowing File and Printer Sharing through the firewall, and verifying relevant services are running, you can restore drive sharing functionality quickly.

Remember to proceed step-by-step, starting with simple changes and moving to advanced firewall rules only if necessary. This approach minimizes risks and keeps your system secure while solving the problem.