This usually occurs because some necessary services are not running or conflicts due to the previous homegroup or computers on the network. In such cases, you get the error message “Windows can’t set up a homegroup on this computer.”
Causes for “Windows Can’t Set Up Homegroup on This Computer”
How to Fix “Windows Can’t Set Up Homegroup on This Computer”?
There are a few things you can try to solve this problem. First, make sure you have the correct date/time setting. Then, follow the possible solutions below to resolve your issue.
Improper service configuration or necessary services not starting.Conflict due to residual homegroup files.Other computers on the network also sending homegroup invitations.IPv6 not enabled on your system.
Run Homegroup Troubleshooter
Windows includes troubleshooters to check and repair any errors in its system components. The homegroup feature also has a separate troubleshooter, which you can run whenever you encounter any issues with the process. Here’s how you can do so: The troubleshooter should fix any issues with the process. If it can’t, it’ll say either what is causing the issue or that it couldn’t detect any issues. You can move on to the exact solution if you know the reason.
Check Service Configuration
You should also make sure that the services necessary for setting up a homegroup have the proper configuration. Otherwise, you can’t set up the group at all. Here’s what you need to do: Now, try setting up the homegroup again and see if it works.
Shut Down Other Computers and Create Homegroup
Another thing you can try is to shut down all computers on the network except the PC where you want to create a homegroup. Sometimes other computers may also be sending invitations to your PC and interfering with the process. Here are the detailed steps you need to perform that also contain additional steps to increase the chances of success: After successfully setting up the group, wait a few more minutes. Then, power up the devices you want to connect to this homegroup one at a time and join the group.
Change Permissions of MachineKeys Folder
The MachineKey folder stores the certificate keys on your system that the Internet Information Services use for authentication. You can’t start a homegroup if your account does not have permission to use this folder. In fact, you can’t even start the Peer Networking Grouping service necessary for setting up the group without sufficient permissions. Here’s how you can change the Permissions of the folder. After that, start the Peer Networking Grouping service and set up the homegroup.
Delete PeerNetworking Folder Files
The PeerNetworking folder contains the files of a homegroup. If you had previously created a homegroup from your computer or joined with one, its residual files may still be present in the folder. These files can conflict with setting up a new homegroup, so you need to delete them before initiating the process. Here’s how you can do so: Now, create a homegroup while shutting down all other computers and see if it works. If it doesn’t, delete all the contents of the PeerNetworking folder and try again.
Change Computer Name
You can also try changing your computer name to prevent any conflicts with residual files or other computers on the network. To do so, Then, try creating a homegroup again and check if the issue resolves.
Enable IPv6
Even if your network doesn’t use IPv6 routing, you still need to enable IPv6 on your computer to set up or connect to a homegroup. You can also get the error “Your network connection must have IPv6 enabled to create or join a homegroup” if the service is not enabled on your PC. To enable IPv6, Then, restart your PC and check if you still encounter the error.
