NAS Shared Folder Mount Failure After DNS or DHCP Changes


Last modified date: 2025-06-05

Applicable Products

QTS, QuTS Hero


Scenario

When the IT administrator modifies DNS or DHCP settings on your network, Windows clients may be unable to resolve the NAS hostname. As a result, attempts to browse or map shared folders on the NAS may time out or fail.

Symptoms:

  • Running net view \\<NAS-hostname> on a Windows PC times out. 
  • Mapping a drive (e.g. net use H: \\<NAS-hostname>\share) fails.
  • The NAS no longer appears under Network in Windows File Explorer.

Incorrect or outdated DNS/DHCP records cause the NAS hostname to resolve to the wrong IP address (or not resolve at all), preventing Windows clients from locating the NAS.


Solution

  • Verify DNS Records
    • Log in to your DNS server (or router acting as DNS).
    • Confirm that the A record for your NAS hostname points to the correct IP address.
    • If you use DHCP to assign DNS, ensure the DHCP scope options are updated accordingly.
  • Flush DNS Cache on Windows Clients
    • Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
    • Run: ipconfig /flushdns
  • Use Direct IP Address (Temporary Workaround)
    • In File Explorer or Command Prompt, connect by IP: net use H: \\192.168.1.100\share
  • Edit Windows Hosts File (Alternative)
    • Open Notepad as Administrator.
    • Edit C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts and add a line:
      192.168.1.100 mynas 
    • Save and then retry mapping \\mynas\share.
  • Check SMB Service on the NAS
    • Log in to QTS.
    • Go to Control Panel > Network & File Services > Win/Mac/NFS.
    • Ensure Microsoft Networking (SMB) is enabled and correctly configured (SMBv2/v3).
  • Restart the NAS Properly
    • In QTS, click your username (top right) > Restart.
    • Avoid pulling the power plug unless absolutely necessary.

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