FileBrowser Connection Errors for Windows 7 and Windows 8

If FileBrowser cannot connect to your Windows 7 or Windows 8 PC, or if it connects but shows errors when browsing shares or folders, the issue is usually related to SMB file sharing, permissions, or Windows networking settings.

This guide groups the most common problems and helps you resolve them step by step.

Most issues are caused by configuration rather than FileBrowser itself, and can usually be fixed quickly.

Before you begin

Check these first:

• Your Windows PC and iPhone or iPad are on the same network
• File and Printer Sharing is enabled in Windows
• You are using a valid Windows username and password
• The folder you want to access is shared on the PC
• Windows Firewall allows file sharing connections
• The PC is powered on and not in sleep mode

If these are correct, move to the relevant issue below.

• Connection Errors

If you tap to connect on a machine entry and an error message is displayed in red, select the error message from the list below.

• Can't find server
• Couldn't locate machine
• Timed out connecting
• Socket timed out
• Connect failed: Connection refused
• NB session refused - not listening
• Insufficient server resources
• Server rejected blank password
• Unknown user or password

• Problems with the Share name list

Once FileBrowser is connected, tapping the machine entry again should show a list of Share names in the right-hand window.
If there is a problem with this list, select from the problems below.

• The list is empty.
• I should see shares ending with a $.
• When I tap the C: share, I get Access Denied.

• Problems listing folders

After tapping a Share name, the files and folders for that Share should be listed.
If they're not shown, select from the problems below.

• Popup error "Access Denied".
• I don't see all my files.
• Files are listed that I don't normally see.

• Sharing folders

• Show me how to share a folder.
• Show me how to configure Windows Firewall.