How to Fix Windows 10 Nearby Sharing Not Working
Windows 10's April 2018 Update introduced a feature called Nearby Sharing, which allows users to share documents, photos, and links with nearby devices using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. This feature, also known as "Near Share," works similarly to Apple's AirDrop and enables sharing between two Windows 10 PCs that have the feature enabled, but does not support sharing from mobile devices or other operating systems.
How to Transfer Windows 10 Files Using Nearby Sharing
Nearby Sharing makes wireless file sharing easy and fast, allowing you to share photos in the Photos app, share web page links in Microsoft Edge, or even share files wirelessly in File Explorer. To use Nearby Sharing, both PCs must have Bluetooth and be running Windows 10 (version 1803 or later).
Step 1. To enable nearby sharing, go to "Settings > System > Shared experiences > Nearby sharing" on your device, turn it on, and do the same on the PC you're sharing to.
Step 2. Go to Settings > Nearby sharing, select Everyone nearby, and do the same on the PC you're sharing to.
Step 3. To share a document on a PC, open File Explorer, select the document you want to share, and click the "Share" tab. Then, choose the device you want to share with and click "Share". On the receiving device, click "Save & open" or "Save" when the notification appears.
What Could Cause Nearby Sharing Not Working Error
People are facing issues with Nearby Sharing, a feature that allows file sharing between PCs without a USB stick, and are looking for solutions to resolve the problem, which is reportedly caused by issues such as Wi-Fi connectivity, firewall settings, and incorrect file format.
- Windows 10 is not version 1803 or later.
- Bluetooth mode may not support low energy mode or the Bluetooth adapters are not suitable.
- Two PCs are getting far away from each other.
- Other unknown reasons.
How to Fix Windows 10 Nearby Sharing Not Working
If the feature of sending files to nearby devices is not working on Windows 10, we can identify and fix the problem by considering possible reasons such as Bluetooth being turned off, the Nearby Share feature not being enabled, or issues with the Bluetooth driver. Once the cause is identified, the problem can be solved accordingly, allowing the feature to work as intended.
Solution 1. Make Sure Windows 10 Is Version 1803 or Later
To use Nearby Share on Windows 10, make sure both PCs are running Windows 10 version 1803 or later, as this feature was introduced in the April 2018 update. This ensures that both devices are compatible with the feature.
Step 1. Go to "Start > Settings > System > About".
Check the Windows Specifications section on both computers to see if they have the same version of Windows 10, which should be "1803" or later.
Step 2. Update Windows 10.
If your device doesn't have Windows 10 version 1803 or higher installed, you'll need to update it to access Nearby Sharing. To do this, type "Updates" in the Start menu and select "Check for updates".
Windows will automatically download and install updates, except on metered connections, where updates are paused. If issues arise, troubleshooting can be done to resolve the problem.
Solution 2. Check Bluetooth Compatibility
If your Windows 10 is version 1803 or later, try Nearby Sharing again, and if it still fails, check if your PC has Bluetooth with Low Energy (LE) support and the adapters.
Check your Bluetooth adapter's specifications or documentation to see if it supports Low Energy (LE) mode. If your adapter does support LE, you can use it to connect to devices that only support Bluetooth Low Energy, such as fitness trackers, smartwatches, or other low-power devices.
Step 1. At the Start, Search for "Device Manager," and open it.
Step 2. To access the Bluetooth settings, select "Bluetooth" from the list of available options. Then, right-click on the name of the Bluetooth radio and choose "Properties" from the context menu that appears. This will open the Bluetooth Properties window where you can make adjustments and changes to the Bluetooth settings.
Step 3. Click "Details". Select "Bluetooth radio supports Low Energy Central Role".
- If the property value is "true", it means your device supports Low Energy and is a 4.0 or later adapter.
- If the value of the property is "false", your Bluetooth adapter doesn't support low-energy mode, so you may want to consider purchasing an external one.
Solution 3. Keep Two Computer/Laptops Closer
If Nearby Sharing still isn't working, try getting your devices close together. Bluetooth has a moderate range of about 10 meters, so both devices need to be relatively close to connect and share content properly.
- Try bringing the devices closer together and check if it helps. Additionally, you should turn on Network sharing for all the devices.
Solution 4. Transfer Files from PC to PC Using Free Software in Windows 11/10/8/7
If you're experiencing issues with Nearby Sharing and it's not working as expected, you can consider using Qiling Disk Master Free as an alternative. This free PC transfer software allows you to easily transfer data, applications, and account settings from one PC to another with just one click, making it a convenient solution for sharing files between devices. It's compatible with various Windows versions, including XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11, and can even transfer files between two laptops or PCs. You can download the free version and follow the steps to save time and energy.
Step 1.Open Qiling Disk Master on both of your computers, then choose "File sync" to proceed.
Step 2. Connect two PCs via the network by entering the password or verification code of the target PC, ensuring the correct transfer direction is chosen, and clicking "Connect" to proceed.
The verification code is located on the top right corner of the main "PC to PC" screen on the target computer.
Step 3. To transfer files, select "Files" to choose the files you want to transfer, and you can customize the storage path for the transferred data by clicking the Edit icon.
Step 4. The process of transferring files from one PC to another can be initiated by clicking the "Proceed" button, which will begin the transfer. The duration of the transfer is influenced by the size of the file, requiring patience during the process.
Conclusion
Nearby Sharing provides convenience by easily transferring data, but it comes with strict restrictions on Windows versions and often encounters problems during the process. To overcome these issues, you can try the suggested methods one by one. Alternatively, you can explore other effective ways to transfer files from PC to PC, such as using Qiling Disk Master, a user-friendly tool that facilitates sharing data, applications, and user accounts between PCs. This option may be a good alternative if Nearby Sharing doesn't work as expected.
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