What is ‘Local device name is already in use’ error in Windows 10?
In this post, we are going to discuss on “How to fix Local device name is already in use error in Windows 10”. You will be guided here with easy steps/methods to resolve the issue. Let’s starts the discussion.
‘Drive Mapping’ in Windows: Drive mapping in Windows Operating System is how the Windows OS, associate a local drive letter like Drive ‘A:’, ‘B:’ …. ‘Z:’ with storage area to another computer over the network. After a drive has been mapped, a software application on client’s computer can read & write files from storage area by accessing that drive. Drive Mapping is used to navigate folders, files or objects and programs/apps, and is needed by end users, administrators, and various other operators/groups.
However, several users reported that they faced ‘Local device name is already in use error’ while trying to access a Network Drive in their Windows computer. This error is related to Network Drive Mapping. This error is usually appeared on network-based systems means if you are working with network-based systems regularly, then it is probability to receive this error when you trying to access your network drive. Let’s take a look at error message.
“An error occurred while reconnecting <drive letter> to <file path> Microsoft Windows Network: The local device name is already in use. This connection has not been restored”
This Drive Mapping error can be appeared when you trying to access files in Shared folder or when trying to map certain drives on Network Domain. There could be several reasons behind this error including Drive Mapping has gone wrong, some drive letters are unassigned, file and printer sharing is disabled, and no space on server. The possible reason behind this error is process of network drive mapping.
This error can also be appeared when some drives’ letters are incorrect or missing drive letters. Another possible reason behind this issue can be disabled ‘File and Printer’ feature in your Windows Firewall. You can enable this feature in order to fix the issue. Sometimes, this error can be occurred if there is no space on the server. You can free up the storage on Network’s server in order to fix the issue. Let’s go for the solution.
How to fix Local device name is already in use error in Windows 10?
Method 1: Fix ‘Local device name is already in use’ error with ‘PC Repair Tool’
If this error is occurred due to some problems in your Windows computer, then you can try to fix the issue with ‘PC Repair Tool’. This software offers you to find and fix BSOD errors, EXE errors, DLL errors, problems with programs, malware or viruses issue, system files or registry issues, and other system issues with just few clicks.
Method 2: Remapping the Network Drive using Command Prompt
One possible way to fix the issue is to remap the network drive. You can do this by using Command Prompt.
Step 1: Press ‘Windows + X’ keys on keyboard and select ‘Command Prompt as Administrator’
Step 2: In ‘Command Prompt’, type the following commands one-by-one and hit ‘Enter’ key after each to execute. Here, replace ‘username’ and ‘password’ text with your correct username and password.
net use * /delete
net use Z: \\server\share /user:username password
Step 3: Once executed, please check if the error is resolved.
Method 3: Stop and then re-start Computer Browser
Sometimes, this error is occurred due to computer’s browser. You can fix the issue by stopping Computer browser and then restart it.
Step 1: Open ‘Command Prompt as Administrator’ using above method
Step 2: Type the following command and hit ‘Enter’ key to execute. This will stop ‘Computer Browser’.
net stop “Computer Browser”
Step 3: Once executed, enter the following command to start ‘Computer Browser’
net start “Computer Browser”
Step 4: Once executed, please check if the error is resolved.
Method 4: Delete a key in Registry Editor
Step 1: Press ‘Windows + R’ keys on keyboard, type ‘regedit’ in the opened ‘Run’ dialog box and hit ‘Ok’ button to open ‘Registry Editor’
Step 2: In ‘Registry Editor’, navigate to following key in left pane
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
Step 3: Now, find and right-click on ‘MountPoint2’ key inside ‘Explorer’ key, and select ‘Delete’ option to delete it
Step 4: Once deleted, restart your computer and check if the error is resolved.
Method 5: Assign Drive Letters properly using Disk Management
This issue can be occurred if drive with no assigned drive letter in Disk Management in your computer. You can assigned drive letters to the drive that cause the issue in order to fix the issue.
Step 1: Type ‘Disk Management’ in ‘Windows Search Box’ and open it from results appears
Step 2: In ‘Disk Management’ window, find and right-click on the Volume (Drive) with driver letter that you want to change, and select ‘Change Drive Letter and Paths’.
Step 3: Click on ‘Change’ and select a drive letter from list of available drive letters. We recommended you not to choose Drive letter ‘A:’ or ‘B:’ because they were reserved for floppy drives on older Operating Systems and this can confuse older software tools.
Step 4: Finally, click on ‘Apply’ and confirm any dialogs which may appear before close the Disk Management. After that, please check if the error is resolved.
Method 6: Enable ‘File and Printer Sharing’ in Windows Defender Firewall
‘Local device name is already in use’ error can be occurred if ‘File and Printer Sharing’ feature is disabled in Windows Firewall or any firewall you are using. You can enable this feature in Firewall in order to fix the issue.
Step 1: Open ‘Control Panel’ in Windows 10 by ‘Windows Search Box’ and go to ‘System & Security > Windows Defender Firewall > Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall’
Step 2: Click on ‘Change Settings’, find and tick the option next to ‘File and Printer Sharing’ checkbox, and then hit ‘Ok’ to save the changes. After that, restart your computer and check if the error is resolved.
Method 7: Check the space on network server
Sometimes, this error can be occurred if there is no enough space on your network server. You can check and free up some spaces like 1 – 2 GBs of spaces on network server in order to fix the issue. You can delete everything on root drive of your network server except the data which are important for you. Once done, please check if the issue is resolved.
Method 8: Modify the value of ‘ProtectionMode’ in Registry Editor
Step 1: Open ‘Registry Editor’ using ‘Method 4’
Step 2: Navigate to following path
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\SessionManager\
Step 3: Find and double-click on ‘ProtectionMode’ key to edit the value
Step 4: Set its value from ‘0’ to ‘1’ and then save the changes. Once done, restart your computer and please check if the error is resolved.
Step 5: If the error is still persist, then you can delete the mappings by running following command in ‘Command Prompt as Administrator’
net use * /del /y (sub the * for an actual drive letter.)
Conclusion
I am sure this article helped you on How to fix Local device name is already in use error in Windows 10 with several easy steps/methods. You can read & follow our instructions to do so. That’s all. For any suggestions or queries, please write on comment box below.
