Local Network Streaming issue

[Tangles]

This may be a Windows issue, but I just thought I'd post it here in case anyone else has come across the same issue.

For a while now I have been using VLC on my Android devices to stream media from my Windows PC using the "SMB" method in the "Local Network" area of the VLC app and it has worked perfectly. Ever since the last Windows update, I haven't been able to view any media on my PC from the VLC Android app. I can see my computer in the Local Network screen, however when I tap on it, it just stays on the "Loading" screen and won't display any of my media. I've tried this on numerous android devices and the same thing happens.

Does anyone know how to fix this?

[JamesHarvey]

Similar problem. In the last few days I set an Nvidia SHIELD (still on Android 7) as a media client. Using Solid Explorer I can access files & folders on my (fully updated) Win7 "server", but with VLC I get exactly the same symptoms as Tangles. Any info on a fix would be most welcome.

[ChuckK3rd]

I too am having the same identical problem accessing my network through Fire TV. After about a few minutes, it finally repsonds with "directory is empty". Perhaps the current version of VLC for Android needs to be updated.

[jimhavins]

the APP works fine on Fire tablets but not on firestick as it only finds a SBM server type which Win 10 doesn't use. On Fire tablets it find both types. Too bad because it is a nice player. I use it on my pc and on my tablet but on my tv I have to use Roku. Roku has problems sometimes finding the local drive if you also have a USB drive attached, it will take forever to find the local network drive....very frustrating. My Sony tv media player won't play mkv files although the documentation says it will. The new Sony tv won't download apps either so I am stuck with the Roku that I was trying get rid of.....

[Tangles]

So there's no real solution to this I'm guessing?

[InTheWings]

you can always enable logs and see what really happens

[Tangles]

you can always enable logs and see what really happens

On the android app?

[InTheWings]

See Preferences

[Tangles]

Here's the log file:

https://pastebin.com/gQHXE2rY

[jshendjr]

Tangles,
I am a noob not an expert but I had the same problem and found a solution that works for me.
I have Windows 10 and my phone is on the same local network as the PC.

1. I had to enable the Windows SMB Server.
Control Panel - Programs and Features - Turn Windows features on or off - SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support - SMB 1.0/CIFS Server.
When I found it, the Client was checked but not the server.
For the PC to serve files to my phone, I am pretty sure the PC has to be a Server, and the phone is a Client.

2. Homegroup file sharing has been disabled by Micrrosoft. So I had to explicitly share my Music folder.
A. First, created an account for my phone so I could password protect the folder.
Settings - Accounts - Family and Other People - Add someone else to this PC - I dont have this persons signin information - Add user without Microsoft account ( If you wanna use a MS account it would be different).
B. Shared the Music Folder with the phone's account just created:
File Explorer - Properties (on the Music folder) - Sharing - Share - Pick phone account from list - Add.

3. Make sure your Private network has both Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing turned ON:
Control Panel - Network and Sharing Center - Advanced sharing settings - Private.
I also have checked Turn on automatic setup of network connections.
Under All Networks, I have selected Turn on password protected sharing (maybe overkill for private network music sharing).

The above is all done on the windows side.
In VLC on my phone :
1. Local Network Shared folders : The name of my PC displays with a 'smb' icon. I select 'Add to favorites' from the menu.
2. Network favorites - Edit
A. Server address - has name of my PC (Desktop1)
B. Username - enter the phone's account that you created on the PC and shared the folder with (Phone1).
C. Folder path - the share name of the folder you set sharing for on the PC (Music).
D. Server name for convenience - (Optional) Add whatever name you want to call the share on VLC favorites list.

The connect string will display using the inputs. For the example inputs above, it would look like
smb://Phone1@Desktop1/Music
You can leave empty the "Port:" at the upper right, assuming standard ports will be used.
Finally, hit OK when done.

The first time you try to use the new Network Favorite, it will prompt for password, and you can choose to save the PW so you dont hafta reenter it every time.

Note: It appears that it will ONLY work with SMB1, which is ancient and considered insecure.
I tried to disable SMB1 on my PC and enable SMB2/3, but then the sharing did NOT work.
You have the unfortunate choice of being secure or having sharing work.

Powershell to enable SMB1, if it is not already enabled:
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters" SMB1 -Type DWORD -Value 1 -Force

My firewall did not block the SMB1 traffic. Other firewalls might, and you would have to add an Allow rule to the firewall.
For Windows Defender Firewall :
Control Panel - System and Security -Windows Defender Firewall - Allowed apps - File and Printer Sharing

VideoLAN - I hope you can make streaming to Android support SMB2 or SMB3.

[Tangles]

That sounds brilliant jshendjr. Lots for me to try when I get home!

I'll let you know how it goes.

[Tangles]

1. I had to enable the Windows SMB Server.
Control Panel - Programs and Features - Turn Windows features on or off - SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support - SMB 1.0/CIFS Server.
When I found it, the Client was checked but not the server.
For the PC to serve files to my phone, I am pretty sure the PC has to be a Server, and the phone is a Client.

SOLVED!!

I did this step first and it fixed it - no need to do the rest.

Thanks so much jshendjr!!

[unidan]

Hi, for the record, the next release will bring SMB 2/3 support and should fix this issue https://code.videolan.org/videolan/vlc- ... 85f8b992ea

[AndroidCat]

SMB NETWORK ISSUE - ONLY ONE DRIVE SHARES, REQUEST FOR ALL OTHER SHARED DRIVES NON-STOP ASKS FOR CREDENTIALS:


OS: Android 8.0 (OREO)
VLC: v3.0.93


My USB 2.0 E: Drive shares just fine
VLC asked for both my UserName and Password which i gave it
ALL Media Files from my Windows 10 x64 PC are accessable and play fine with VLC Player on my S8 phone

Attempts to access my USB 3.0 HDD F: which is shared results in VLC player asking for both my PC Username and Password credentials,
however, VLC seems to ignore the fact that i have entered them in and continues to keep asking me for my credentials, unlike with my E: USB Drive

SMB1 is currently enabled within the windows control panel



INFO I HAVE POSTED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THE GOOGLE+ FORUMS ON DATE: Tuesday the 15th of January, 2019

https://plus.google.com/communities/110 ... 2692429734

Conclusion: All my testing suggests that the problem is some sort sort of timing problem with VLC vs Windows when it times to networking
Temporary workaround: Use Free PC app Universal Media Server which Android VLC player can access