“Enter Network Credentials” is a message that pops up when you try to access another computer or shared folder on your Windows network. It can be annoying and frustrating but you can solve it easily.

If you see this error message on your Windows PC connected to a network, don’t panic. It’s just a simple confusion between you and your network.

Although, for people who don’t know about network settings, it can be a roadblock. Nevertheless, we will walk you through fixing it. By the end of this blog, you will know how to handle this matter effectively to make your network sharing seamless and trouble-free.

Let’s get started.

What is the “Enter Network Credentials” Error and Why Does it Occur?

Think of your home network as a neighborhood. In this case, every computer is a house, and files can be viewed as toys/artifacts/items that you keep in it. That means you cannot just let anyone come in and grab them, right? These network credentials function as an electronic lock for your folders and files.

When you attempt to access a shared folder or try to share something on another PC, Windows asks for the network credentials for file sharing or the ‘key’ (the right username/password) to unlock it.

If your credentials are unfamiliar, then the “Enter Network Credentials” window will appear demanding proof that you are authorized to access inside.

This can be frustrating, but it’s a security feature in action! Network credentials help keep your files safe by preventing unauthorized access across your network. However, sometimes they glitch.

This guide will walk you through some solutions to stop the “Enter network credentials” dialog from popping up repeatedly.

Here’s How to Fix “Enter Network Credentials” Error Message on Windows

Method 1: Restart the Credential Manager Service

The culprit could be the Credential Manager service, not your device or network settings. We’ll check if it’s even running first. We’ll try enabling it if it’s off, and then restart it to see if that fixes the issue. Follow the steps below:

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

Step 2: Type services.msc and press the Enter key.

Step 3: In the Services window, scroll down and click on the Credential Manager service. If you find the ‘Running’ status option against it, it is enabled then.

Step 4: Now right-click on it and then choose Restart.

Method 2: Disable the Credential Manager Service Temporarily

Important: Disabling the Credential Manager service entirely is not recommended. It plays a vital role in network security.

However, there’s another approach you can try: temporarily stopping the service at startup. This might prevent the “Enter network credentials” prompt from appearing, but keep in mind that you’ll need to re-enter your credentials every time you connect to a network. To do so follow the steps below:

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

Step 2: Type services.msc and press the Enter key.

Step 3: In the Services window, scroll down and click on the Credential Manager service.

Step 4: Right-click on it and choose Properties.

Step 5: Now, click on the Manual option right in front of the ‘Startup type’ and choose Disabled from the given options.

Step 6: Click on the Apply option then click on the OK button.

Method 3: Clear the Network Credentials

Sometimes, outdated login information can cause the “Enter network credentials” prompt. We’ll try clearing your saved credentials in Windows Credential Manager. This might require you to re-enter your login details for some websites and applications, but it can also help resolve the issue. We will be taking use of Notepad for this process, follow the steps given below:

Step 1: Press the Windows key and type ‘notepad’ in the search bar.

Step 2: Click on the Open to open the Notepad.

Step 3: Now copy this exact content on the Notepad:

@echo off

cmdkey.exe /list > “%TEMP%\List.txt” 

findstr.exe Target “%TEMP%\List.txt” > “%TEMP%\tokensonly.txt”

FOR /F “tokens=1,2 delims= ” %%G IN (%TEMP%\tokensonly.txt) DO cmdkey.exe /delete:%%H

del “%TEMP%\List.txt” /s /f /q

del “%TEMP%\tokensonly.txt” /s /f /q

echo All done

Pause

Step 4: Now save this Notepad file with the .BAT extension on your PC. For example, “DeleteCrdentials.bat” or according to your choice.

Step 5: After this, go to your Desktop, right-click on this newly created Notepad file, and choose Run as Administrator to open it.

This batch file will give your network connections a fresh start by clearing out any outdated login information. You might need to re-enter your credentials for some websites and applications, but it could resolve the “Enter Credentials to Connect to Network” issue.

Read Also: 2024’s Best HTML Editors for Windows | Coding Made Easy

Method 4: Use Your Microsoft Account Login Details

Log in to the second device with your Microsoft Account. While using your local username and password is the typical approach, sometimes logging in with your Microsoft Account on the other device can resolve the error. This is because Microsoft Account credentials can sometimes simplify access across devices on the same Microsoft ecosystem.

Read Also: How To Enable Two-Factor Authentication On Microsoft Account

Method 5: Create A New User Account

Corrupted user accounts or credential verification issues can sometimes cause the “Enter network credentials” error. While this is less common, creating new user accounts on both your main computer (source) and the device you’re trying to connect to (target) with fresh usernames and passwords can potentially resolve the problem.

Method 6: Verify IP Address

Sometimes, an incorrectly set IP address can prevent you from connecting to other devices on your network and trigger the “Enter network credentials” error. We’ll walk you through some easy steps to adjust your settings and get you connected!

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

Step 2: Type ncpa.cpl and press the Enter key.

Step 3: Now double-click on your current network connection and then choose Properties.

Step 4: Now right-click on the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and click on Properties.

Step 5: Make sure that both Obtain an IP address automatically and Obtain DNS server automatically are chosen/enabled.

Read Also: How to Hide your IP Address? 4 Different Methods (Free and Paid)

 

Fixed: “Enter Network Credentials” Error Message issue

When your Windows security asks you to enter network credentials it can be irritating. However, there are a few methods that can help you sort it out fast enough. You can check your credentials, change sharing options, and make sure that both PCs belong to one workgroup to enjoy a more enjoyable network.

Keep in mind that fixing networking issues calls for patience, and this step-by-step instruction guide can help you get rid of this error. In case the problem continues, consult an online forum or expert advice from professional users.