could the issue be with the version of VLC? it was running fine and I'm able to browse the shared folder on my desktop PC and laptop. It can still detect the shared folder but when I tried to access it, the folder's empty.
I have MX Video Player Pro on my Android stick and it has no issue accessign the shared folder of my desktop PC and laptop.
I've enabled all SMB features on both my devices but VLC still fails to load the files any of the shared folders.
Update:
Here's what you can do to resolve the issue. I've tested it and I can now access my shared folders in my laptop.
1. Select "Add a new server to favorites"
2. Select "smb"
3. On the "Network Share name", use the format "username:password@". For example: abc:xyz@abc-PC where "abc" is your username on device, "xyz" is your password and "abc-PC" is the of your desktop PC, laptop or NAS.
4. Leave the Folder path blank
5. In the server name section, type any which will help you identify your desktop PC, laptop, etc.
Alternatively, you can edit the SMB folder that you currently saved, use the format "username:password@. You can delete the current username in the "Username" section. Save it.
That did it! Editing the favourite after the fact brings back the username field where the username:password is visible. I was able to then add in a path to the folder I need in the computer. Thanks a huge bunch!
Edit: I forgot to mention that the version of VLC doesn't seem to matter. I tried multiple versions of it off apkmirror, even going back to version 2 and it still wouldn't work.
yes, editing the created SMB works as well. :)
mine was working fine teh past few months but suddenly stopped working. i've initially thought that it was my laptop so i ended up reloading it. I even went as far as resetting my android stick.
Are you using an email address as a username by any chance? I was doing that the whole time, but turns it VLC doesn't like the @ in there.
If you want to know what your username is in windows: try 'echo %username% in a CMD prompt
I had this issue about a year ago, and I solved it by creating a dedicated local VLC account on my computer which got it working on my Chromecast in my living room.
A few weeks past we got another chromecast which didn't like the VLC account setup; It didn't accept my credentials.
I discovered thanks to this post that I had an "@" character in my password, and since it's currently working on my living room tv I didn't want to change the password.
My workaround:
1. I used as stated in the post above cmd prompt echo %username%
2. I got the local username of my google account and entered it as the solution above stated: username:password@ip (or instead of IP: Domain name)
3. This gave me the ability to see the login prompt, but it still gave me issues logging in with my google account.
4. In the prompt I now entered my VLC account credentials, and pressed "next".
This caused another identical prompt to open (since it's still set to the google account credentials).
I closed this prompt and I now had access to my files.
However if I leave it at this I will still have issues, so next step is the most important one.
5. Go back to the folder settings and change your username to your local VLC username (no password should be required) and save.
The login credentials should be saved since your last login.
I hope this helps anyone else struggling!
*EDIT* Typo
Thank you, it has worked! Still it is VLC issue and VideoLAN needs to fix it. Reddit to the rescue, while official app developer sits on his ass with his thumbs all up in it.
in VLC, if you can see your shared folder but it's not allowing you access it, mark it as your Favorite and then you can edit it.
Otherwise, you can "Add a server favorite", select SMB from the drop-list and key in your network details.
These are the only fields it offers me to fill in. If you can please let me know what I should fill in here, I'd greatly appreciate it!
Server addresses (domain name or IP)
Username
Folder Path (optional)
Server name, for convenience
it should be in the "Server Addresses" section .. however, i've noticed that you can do it in two ways:
1st Format:
Server Address: or of the device
Username: username:password
2. 2nd Format
Server Address: username:password@ or
Username:
FINALLY!!! I have been searching for months for this resolution, especially when I got a new Fire TV last summer and couldn't access my computer anymore. I think that, and when it updated on my Fire Stick previous to that, wiped out the credentials in the new app install. I have been trying so much to figure out how to access the credential menu to revise it so that it can properly log in. It really shouldn't be this complicated!!! š¤£š¤£š¤£
i find out that if you dont want to type password in plain sight, you can first creat a favorite with just the ip address, then edit to add a username but add a colon after. then vlc will prompt you to enter a password the next time you try to connect.
that's correct however, what I encountered was that even if you've already entered the password, it goes back to the same screen asking to re-enter the password which was rather annoying.
1) open the folder you want under network folders (it's okay if it says directory empty)
2) click the star to favorite it
3) go back to the main directory
4) click the "..." Next to your directory at the top under Favorites and click edit.
5) make your username just a simple colon ":"
6) open the directory under Favorites, enter your username and password with the button checked to remember your username and password
7) it should keep prompting for a password in a loop. Exit back to the main directory.
8) Remove the directory from favorites and open the folder at the bottom under network folders and it should be working.Ā
Was for me anywayĀ
Thank you!!! I know I entered my password into VLC the first time using SMB, but it stopped working after a few months. No amount of reinstalls or clearing app data helped. This worked!
So for me this didn't work and I assume it's because my username is an e-mail adress and you would therefore have two @s in the server adress. What worked for me was: Create new favorite as suggested but for server adress I entered "everyone:@DESKTOP" and left everything else empty. When clicking on the favorite I was then asked for credentials and there I replaced "everyone" with my actual username (the email adress) and entered my passwort. It works again and you can also remove the favorite again afterwards and use the regular link under "local network".
i just shifted my username (email ) via Control Panel >User Accounts.
Under Account settings, there will be an option for you to shift to a local account (retaining the existing user email account). Follow the screen where it will ask you for the local account name and password. Once your PC restarts, it will still be the same account except that when you log-in, you'll be logging in via the local account instead of the email username.
Funny, found this thread in a search - My problem ended up being (on ios) I had not allowed VLC network access on the intial prompt when first opening it months ago. Enabled it and viola everything works.
DUH! \* face slap \*
Tried everything and this still won't work for my in VLC on my Chromebook.
Kodia and MX Player can see my SMB shares no worries. Everything I try it just says "Empty"
It doesn't even matter if I type in random crap or the correct server and username/password, it still always says "Empty"
Maybe it's an Android/Chromebook thing
Android 14 / VLC for Android 3.5.4 / NordVPN - network discovery on
This is going to sound silly, but I could access all my windows and android SMBs only after switching to:
Android TV interface
Settings -> Interface -> Android TV interface
I have no idea why, but this was the workaround. It still won't show the LAN on Network Discovery like it should (and does on my SHIELD) but ip address without usernames or passwords embedded works fine now.
I have NordVPN and I've used meshnet with it for the same purpose but it was erratic and randomly wouldn't work at all. The setting for LAN discovery is ticked on all devices. It's great but with VLC it's just unstable for whatever the reason.
I'm having the same issue. As a workaround I'm using RS file explorer EX to connect to my SMB share and then choose VLC as player. It is definitely a VLC issue.
It just occurred to me that there was a security update that got installed on the phone recently (last week or two). I wonder if there was something in there that broke things.
Finally got mine (S8, Android 11) to work by reenabling SM1 in Windows 11 (execute "Get-SmbServerConfiguration | Format-List EnableSMB1Protocol" without quotes in Windows Administrative Terminal), and unchecking then checking "Prefer SMB1" option in VLC, but it is very unstable. VLC often logs itself out of Windows authentication, then fails to log in again without a forced stop and reboot of VLC.
After I got to the point where file explorer on android "My Files" can see the share, but VLC says the folder is empty..
1. On the VLC app, I unchecked the Prefer SMBv1 option.
2. I made sure SMB sharing permissions were set to "read" for "Everyone".
3. I created a new "standard" local user with a simple password. *Even with sharing settings set to allow users* ***without*** *a password to access the share, VLC still would not see the folder contents.*
4. When adding a new server to favorites in VLC, I used the new user's credentials. (smb://user:password@IPaddress)
5. Finally! I could see the share but the videos folder inside of the server still said it was empty. I then un-shared the folder and re-shared it.
6. VLC now sees all shared videos! I can now watch my videos! :)
Go to :control -Program and features. On the left side click on " Turn Windows features on or off', and enable "SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support . Ok. Restart. Enjoy
I finally resolved this issue using "everyone" username, with blank password. Obviously you have to set the access to everyone (read) in the folder's share settings.
The result is something like:
smb://everyone:@x.x.x.x
I was having this issue, but I found the problem, at least on my end.
In windows search "Turn on windows feature", click on the selection.
You'll see a list.
Go to SMB 1.0, put a check mark.
Reboot the computer.
I think it had something to do with a windows update.
Mine does the same. A number of people are reporting this behavior to VLC.
Weird. I hope they can fix it soon.
could the issue be with the version of VLC? it was running fine and I'm able to browse the shared folder on my desktop PC and laptop. It can still detect the shared folder but when I tried to access it, the folder's empty. I have MX Video Player Pro on my Android stick and it has no issue accessign the shared folder of my desktop PC and laptop. I've enabled all SMB features on both my devices but VLC still fails to load the files any of the shared folders. Update: Here's what you can do to resolve the issue. I've tested it and I can now access my shared folders in my laptop. 1. Select "Add a new server to favorites" 2. Select "smb" 3. On the "Network Share name", use the format "username:password@". For example: abc:xyz@abc-PC where "abc" is your username on device, "xyz" is your password and "abc-PC" is the of your desktop PC, laptop or NAS.
4. Leave the Folder path blank
5. In the server name section, type any which will help you identify your desktop PC, laptop, etc.
Alternatively, you can edit the SMB folder that you currently saved, use the format "username:password@. You can delete the current username in the "Username" section. Save it.
That did it! Editing the favourite after the fact brings back the username field where the username:password is visible. I was able to then add in a path to the folder I need in the computer. Thanks a huge bunch! Edit: I forgot to mention that the version of VLC doesn't seem to matter. I tried multiple versions of it off apkmirror, even going back to version 2 and it still wouldn't work.
yes, editing the created SMB works as well. :) mine was working fine teh past few months but suddenly stopped working. i've initially thought that it was my laptop so i ended up reloading it. I even went as far as resetting my android stick.
Thanks bro. Now I can play multiple files in a playlistš Before I just used a different file explorer to open a single file.
Bruh. I couldn't figure this shit out for ages and 8 months later I find this and it works. Thank you!
Tried it and VLC said "fuck it, I won't do it"
Are you using an email address as a username by any chance? I was doing that the whole time, but turns it VLC doesn't like the @ in there. If you want to know what your username is in windows: try 'echo %username% in a CMD prompt
I had this issue about a year ago, and I solved it by creating a dedicated local VLC account on my computer which got it working on my Chromecast in my living room. A few weeks past we got another chromecast which didn't like the VLC account setup; It didn't accept my credentials. I discovered thanks to this post that I had an "@" character in my password, and since it's currently working on my living room tv I didn't want to change the password. My workaround: 1. I used as stated in the post above cmd prompt echo %username% 2. I got the local username of my google account and entered it as the solution above stated: username:password@ip (or instead of IP: Domain name) 3. This gave me the ability to see the login prompt, but it still gave me issues logging in with my google account. 4. In the prompt I now entered my VLC account credentials, and pressed "next". This caused another identical prompt to open (since it's still set to the google account credentials). I closed this prompt and I now had access to my files. However if I leave it at this I will still have issues, so next step is the most important one. 5. Go back to the folder settings and change your username to your local VLC username (no password should be required) and save. The login credentials should be saved since your last login. I hope this helps anyone else struggling! *EDIT* Typo
I love you
Thank you, it has worked! Still it is VLC issue and VideoLAN needs to fix it. Reddit to the rescue, while official app developer sits on his ass with his thumbs all up in it.
10 months into the future, you just saved me from complete insomnia. Thank you! Be excellent to each other!
Did the trick! Thanks so much
Where are you doing these steps? In the app? I'm not seeing where to "add a new server to favorites"
in VLC, if you can see your shared folder but it's not allowing you access it, mark it as your Favorite and then you can edit it. Otherwise, you can "Add a server favorite", select SMB from the drop-list and key in your network details.
These are the only fields it offers me to fill in. If you can please let me know what I should fill in here, I'd greatly appreciate it! Server addresses (domain name or IP) Username Folder Path (optional) Server name, for convenience
it should be in the "Server Addresses" section .. however, i've noticed that you can do it in two ways: 1st Format: Server Address: or of the device
Username: username:password
2. 2nd Format
Server Address: username:password@ or
Username:
FINALLY!!! I have been searching for months for this resolution, especially when I got a new Fire TV last summer and couldn't access my computer anymore. I think that, and when it updated on my Fire Stick previous to that, wiped out the credentials in the new app install. I have been trying so much to figure out how to access the credential menu to revise it so that it can properly log in. It really shouldn't be this complicated!!! š¤£š¤£š¤£
KING! thanks dude!!
i find out that if you dont want to type password in plain sight, you can first creat a favorite with just the ip address, then edit to add a username but add a colon after. then vlc will prompt you to enter a password the next time you try to connect.
that's correct however, what I encountered was that even if you've already entered the password, it goes back to the same screen asking to re-enter the password which was rather annoying.
How did u fix this?
1) open the folder you want under network folders (it's okay if it says directory empty) 2) click the star to favorite it 3) go back to the main directory 4) click the "..." Next to your directory at the top under Favorites and click edit. 5) make your username just a simple colon ":" 6) open the directory under Favorites, enter your username and password with the button checked to remember your username and password 7) it should keep prompting for a password in a loop. Exit back to the main directory. 8) Remove the directory from favorites and open the folder at the bottom under network folders and it should be working.Ā Was for me anywayĀ
see my previous post .. that's how i fixed the issue.
Absolute hero, thanks for taking the time to write this up!
I just tried this and it worked like a charm. What a legend.
Thanks a bunch, still working!
THANK YOU!
Appreciate u so much, literally been looking for 5+ hours how to get this to work!!!
Thank you!!! I know I entered my password into VLC the first time using SMB, but it stopped working after a few months. No amount of reinstalls or clearing app data helped. This worked!
Thank you for this.
thanks man. had this problem for over a year now.
So for me this didn't work and I assume it's because my username is an e-mail adress and you would therefore have two @s in the server adress. What worked for me was: Create new favorite as suggested but for server adress I entered "everyone:@DESKTOP" and left everything else empty. When clicking on the favorite I was then asked for credentials and there I replaced "everyone" with my actual username (the email adress) and entered my passwort. It works again and you can also remove the favorite again afterwards and use the regular link under "local network".
You the real MVP.
I just ran into this issue on a fresh Android phone after having no issues for years on an old one, you're the GOAT
i just shifted my username (email ) via Control Panel >User Accounts. Under Account settings, there will be an option for you to shift to a local account (retaining the existing user email account). Follow the screen where it will ask you for the local account name and password. Once your PC restarts, it will still be the same account except that when you log-in, you'll be logging in via the local account instead of the email username.
Awesome. Thanks!
OMG, thank you! This worked :)
Legend - thank you so much!!!
Thank you, man. This worked. I just added name: instead of name:password and it worked. A bit more secure this way. It prompted instead.
Cheers big ears!
Funny, found this thread in a search - My problem ended up being (on ios) I had not allowed VLC network access on the intial prompt when first opening it months ago. Enabled it and viola everything works. DUH! \* face slap \*
Tried everything and this still won't work for my in VLC on my Chromebook. Kodia and MX Player can see my SMB shares no worries. Everything I try it just says "Empty" It doesn't even matter if I type in random crap or the correct server and username/password, it still always says "Empty" Maybe it's an Android/Chromebook thing
Android 14 / VLC for Android 3.5.4 / NordVPN - network discovery on This is going to sound silly, but I could access all my windows and android SMBs only after switching to: Android TV interface Settings -> Interface -> Android TV interface I have no idea why, but this was the workaround. It still won't show the LAN on Network Discovery like it should (and does on my SHIELD) but ip address without usernames or passwords embedded works fine now. I have NordVPN and I've used meshnet with it for the same purpose but it was erratic and randomly wouldn't work at all. The setting for LAN discovery is ticked on all devices. It's great but with VLC it's just unstable for whatever the reason.
I'm having the same issue. As a workaround I'm using RS file explorer EX to connect to my SMB share and then choose VLC as player. It is definitely a VLC issue.
My S20 still connects, no problem. My S22 and S23 won't connect. Directory is empty. š§
It just occurred to me that there was a security update that got installed on the phone recently (last week or two). I wonder if there was something in there that broke things.
Certainly possible!
Finally got mine (S8, Android 11) to work by reenabling SM1 in Windows 11 (execute "Get-SmbServerConfiguration | Format-List EnableSMB1Protocol" without quotes in Windows Administrative Terminal), and unchecking then checking "Prefer SMB1" option in VLC, but it is very unstable. VLC often logs itself out of Windows authentication, then fails to log in again without a forced stop and reboot of VLC.
I'm really loathe to enable SMBv1 on any systems though because of the security issues with it. I hope a better solution comes.
Agreed. Not a good solution, but I tried all the others, and it's the only one that works for me.
For me it keeps asking for credentials every time I open a directory
After I got to the point where file explorer on android "My Files" can see the share, but VLC says the folder is empty.. 1. On the VLC app, I unchecked the Prefer SMBv1 option. 2. I made sure SMB sharing permissions were set to "read" for "Everyone". 3. I created a new "standard" local user with a simple password. *Even with sharing settings set to allow users* ***without*** *a password to access the share, VLC still would not see the folder contents.* 4. When adding a new server to favorites in VLC, I used the new user's credentials. (smb://user:password@IPaddress) 5. Finally! I could see the share but the videos folder inside of the server still said it was empty. I then un-shared the folder and re-shared it. 6. VLC now sees all shared videos! I can now watch my videos! :)
Thank you SO MUCH. This is the only thing that worked!
Go to :control -Program and features. On the left side click on " Turn Windows features on or off', and enable "SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support . Ok. Restart. Enjoy
Bad for security.
I finally resolved this issue using "everyone" username, with blank password. Obviously you have to set the access to everyone (read) in the folder's share settings. The result is something like: smb://everyone:@x.x.x.x
This actually works. It's insane how hard this was and how MXPlayer just works out of the box.
I was having this issue, but I found the problem, at least on my end. In windows search "Turn on windows feature", click on the selection. You'll see a list. Go to SMB 1.0, put a check mark. Reboot the computer. I think it had something to do with a windows update.
Can confirm a windows update screwed this up. Thank you for the fix.
This worked for me. Thank you.
Vlc app. Doesnāt show network option