Ex 2 Ultra Wont Connect to Mac Network – Troubleshooting Guide

The WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra is a powerful NAS (Network Attached Storage) device that provides centralized storage for Mac and Windows users. However, issues can arise when trying to connect the EX2 Ultra to a Mac network. If your Mac can't see or connect to the EX2 Ultra, it’s likely due to network, sharing protocol, or compatibility settings. This guide walks you through step-by-step troubleshooting to fix the problem.

1. Check Basic Network Setup

First, ensure the EX2 Ultra is powered on and properly connected to your local network.

Use Ethernet: The EX2 Ultra must be connected to your router via Ethernet. It cannot connect via Wi-Fi.

Check LEDs: Ensure the front LED indicators show solid blue. If they’re blinking or red, there may be a hardware or network issue.

Ping the NAS IP Address: On your Mac, open Terminal and type:

ping [IP address of the EX2 Ultra]

(You can find this IP address via your router or by logging into the My Cloud dashboard.)

If the ping is successful, the Mac can see the EX2 Ultra on the network.

2. Connect via Finder (Using SMB)

By default, macOS prefers the SMB (Server Message Block) protocol over AFP (Apple Filing Protocol), especially on newer versions like macOS Monterey and Ventura.

Open Finder.

In the top menu, click Go > Connect to Server.

Type the following:

smb://[IP address or hostname of EX2 Ultra]

(Example: smb://192.168.1.100)

If prompted, enter your My Cloud user credentials.

Tip: If you see an error like "Connection Failed," try restarting both the Mac and the NAS.

3. Enable SMB/AFP on EX2 Ultra

You need to make sure the correct sharing protocols are enabled on the EX2 Ultra:

Log in to the My Cloud dashboard using your browser:

http://[IP address of EX2 Ultra]

Go to Settings > Network > Windows Services.

Ensure SMB is enabled.

If you're on an older Mac or need AFP for compatibility, go to Settings > Network > Mac Services, and ensure AFP is enabled as well.

Apply any changes and reboot the NAS if needed.

4. Check macOS Firewall and Security Settings

Your Mac’s firewall or security software could be blocking network discovery.

Go to System Settings > Network > Firewall and ensure it's either off or allows file sharing.

In System Settings > Sharing, make sure File Sharing is enabled.

Also, verify that Bonjour and network discovery are working. Sometimes restarting the Mac and the NAS allows devices to reappear on the network.

5. Mount the Drive Automatically (Optional)

To avoid reconnecting every time:

Open System Settings > Users & Groups > Login Items.

Add the NAS mount point so it reconnects on startup.

Final Tips

Use static IP: Assign a static IP to your EX2 Ultra in your router settings for consistent connections.

Firmware updates: Make sure both macOS and the EX2 Ultra are fully updated.

Reset network settings: As a last resort, you can reset the EX2 Ultra’s network settings through the dashboard (without erasing data).