Top 6 Ways to Fix Could Not Reconnect All Network Drives Error on Windows 10

Every external device on your computer uses specific network drivers. The drivers are usually mapped at startup and this makes them recognizable by your computer. But at times, there may issues when mapping the drives. If you are experiencing the could not reconnect all network drives error on your computer, there are ways to fix it.

Fix Could Not Reconnect External DrivesFix Could Not Reconnect External Drives

The error mostly occurs if there’s a delay when connecting to the drive. It could also happen if an external device is defective or disconnected. You can try these six fixes to solve the error.

1. Force Windows to Wait for Network

If the error occurs because Windows was trying to map the drives before they were available, you can force Windows to wait for the network. To do this, change the local group policy.

Step 1: Press the Windows + R keys to open the dialog box.

Step 2: Type gpedit.msc in the textbox and click OK to open the Local group policy editor window.

Run GPEDITRun GPEDIT

Step 3: Click Computer configuration, tap Administrative Templates, then select System, and lastly, press Logon.

Local Group Policy Editor Computer ConfigurationLocal Group Policy Editor Computer Configuration

Step 4: On the right-hand pane, locate ‘Always wait for the computer startup and logon network. Right-click on it and select the Edit option.

Always Wait for Network Local Group Policy EditorAlways Wait for Network Local Group Policy Editor

Step 5: Select the Enabled button, then press OK and Apply.

Enable Always Wait for Network at Computer StartupEnable Always Wait for Network at Computer Startup

Step 6: Restart your Computer to update the changes.

2. Use Command Scripts to Map the Drives

Another solution would be to create scripts that run at startup. Here’s how you can do it.

Step 1: Open Notepad and paste this script.

PowerShell -Command "Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser Unrestricted" >> "%TEMP%\StartupLog.txt" 2>&1 PowerShell -File "%SystemDrive%\Scripts\MapDrives.ps1" >> "%TEMP%\StartupLog.txt" 2>&1

Script for Startup logsScript for Startup logs

Step 2: Click the File option, choose Save as, and name the file as a .cmd to save it on your computer.

Save Notepad FileSave Notepad File

Step 3: Open another Notepad and copy and paste this script.

$i=3 while($True){ $error.clear() $MappedDrives = Get-SmbMapping |where -property Status -Value Unavailable -EQ | select LocalPath,RemotePath foreach( $MappedDrive in $MappedDrives) { try { New-SmbMapping -LocalPath $MappedDrive.LocalPath -RemotePath $MappedDrive.RemotePath -Persistent $True } catch { Write-Host "There was an error mapping $MappedDrive.RemotePath to $MappedDrive.LocalPath" } } $i = $i - 1 if($error.Count -eq 0 -Or $i -eq 0) {break} Start-Sleep -Seconds 30 }

Power Shell Script for Startup LogPower Shell Script for Startup Log

Step 3: Name the file as DriveMap.ps1.

Restart your computer and those scripts will run at startup.

3. Disconnect Network Drive

At times, disconnecting all your network drives could be the solution you need to clear the error. Here’s how you can do it.

Step 1: Open the File Explorer, right-click This PC option, and press Disconnect network drive.

Disconnect Network Drive This PCDisconnect Network Drive This PC

Step 2: Locate the network drive that has an issue. Right click on it and choose the Disconnect option.

Note: Normally, the problematic drive has an X red icon on it.

Search Network Drive to DisconnectSearch Network Drive to Disconnect

Step 3: Reboot your computer and your network will map only the connected devices.

4. Reconnect the Actual External Drive

Eject Replug and Reboot WindowsEject Replug and Reboot Windows

If the error is caused by a disabled external device, a possible solution can be in reconnecting the actual drive. By re-plugging or positioning the drive correctly, you allow the computer to map it again.

5. Disable Notification at Windows Startup

Disabling the notifications could annoy you even after fixing the ‘could not reconnect all network drives’ error. Luckily, there’s a way to disable notifications at startup. Follow these steps to change the settings.

Step 1: Press the Windows + R keys and type regedit in the Run dialog box.

Run regeditRun regedit

Step 2: Locate the following key and click on it.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\NetworkProvider

Registry Editor Locate Network ProviderRegistry Editor Locate Network Provider

Step 3: On the right-hand pane, double-click on Restore Connection and set the value at 0. Click OK to save the changes.

Set Value on Registry EditorSet Value on Registry Editor

If the Restore Connection is not available, you can add it through the Network Provider option. Here’s how you can do it.

Step 1: Scroll down to Network provider.

Step 2: Right-click on it to select New, then D-Word value, and rename the new folder as Restore Connection. Set the value to 0.

Next, reboot your PC.

Create new registry editorCreate new registry editor

6. Use Task Scheduler to Map Drives at Startup

You can also fix the error by scheduling a task that runs at startup. Use these steps to create and execute tasks.

Step 1: Open file explorer and use the search tab to locate the DriveMap.ps1 folder created in the solution above. Copy the file.

Step 2: Navigate to the Windows search bar, type Task scheduler, and Open the app.

Task Scheduler SearchTask Scheduler Search

Step 3: Expand the Action option and choose Create task.

Create Task Task SchedulerCreate Task Task Scheduler

Step 4: Move to the General tab and name the file.

Step 5: Press the Change User or Group button to select a local user or group.

Step 6: Move to the bottom of the page and check the Run with the highest privileges option, then click OK.

General Tab Task SchedulerGeneral Tab Task Scheduler

Step 7: Navigate to the top of the page and select Triggers tab.

Trigger Tab Task SchedulerTrigger Tab Task Scheduler

Step 8: On the Begin the task option, choose At log on, and click OK.

Edit Trigger Tab Task SchedulerEdit Trigger Tab Task Scheduler

Step 9: Navigate to the Actions tab and Press New.

Action Tab Task SchedulerAction Tab Task Scheduler

Step 10: Specify what actions to take by choosing the Start a program option.

Step 11: Browse or paste your PowerShell script and press OK.

Edit Action Tab Task SchedulerEdit Action Tab Task Scheduler

Step 12: Select the Conditions tab and scroll down to Network.

Step 13: Check Start only if the following network is available.

Step 14: From the drop-down menu, choose Any network and click OK.

Conditions Tab Task SchedulerConditions Tab Task Scheduler

Restart computer to confirm if the error has cleared.

Reconnecting All Network Drives

It’s possible to clear the ‘could not reconnect all network drives’ error by forcing Windows to wait for network. At times, disconnecting then reconnecting the external drivers could help resolve error. Other times, running scripts can help map drives on startup.