Unable to access local network?

[MaxArk68]

I have a BuzzTV Android based media box. If I am interpreting things correctly, its Android version 7.1.2.
I have downloaded and installed VLC v3.2.6.

At one point in time I was quite successful in connecting VLC to my home network through VLCs local network option. i was able to access the shared directories on my PC through wifi to my Buzz box.

i have no idea what circumstances have changed, but i have recently lost that access. When I open VLC to the local netwok option, all i get is an endless "Looking for network shares..." message. Sometimes if things are looking up, I will be able to choose a device on my network , example my PC with the drive holding the media I want to view. So I will proceed to select the PC and I am stuck with an endless "Loading...." message.

Please, where am I going wrong? Can anyone walk me through any settings that Might be missed or not set up correctly? And I do know it can work, it dd before. I just don't know what I did to get it to work.