How Do I Loss of DNS access to shares after

After a recent firmware or operating system update—particularly on devices like WD My Cloud NAS or even Windows-based file servers—many users have reported a loss of DNS access to network shares. This issue often arises after updating to firmware versions like 5.31.102, where devices suddenly become inaccessible via their hostname (e.g., \\mycloud\public) but are still reachable via IP (e.g., \\192.168.1.100\public).

What’s Happening?

This problem usually stems from DNS resolution failures within the local network. The device itself remains online, but your router or computer can no longer resolve its hostname to the correct IP address. This could be due to:

A change in how the NAS broadcasts its name on the network.

SMB protocol settings being reset or modified.

Firewall or security rules blocking mDNS (Multicast DNS) or NetBIOS name resolution.

A bug introduced in the latest firmware update.

How to Confirm the Problem

Try pinging your NAS via hostname:

If that works, the issue is DNS-related.

How to Fix It

✅ Temporary Workaround: Use IP Instead of Hostname

Manually map network drives using the NAS’s IP address:

On Windows:

File Explorer → Map Network Drive → Enter<IP Address>sharename

⚙️ Restart Devices

Reboot your NAS, router, and PC to refresh network discovery.

📶 Reserve Static IP and Set Hostname

Assign a static IP to your NAS through your router and manually add the hostname and IP mapping to your computer’s hosts file.

🔧 Re-enable Network Discovery (Windows)

Ensure that Network Discovery and File and Printer Sharing are enabled in:

Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Advanced Sharing Settings

🛠 Check Firmware Notes and Support Forums

Review the latest firmware changelog and user reports on platforms like WD Community or manufacturer forums for known issues and hotfixes.

Conclusion

A loss of DNS access to network shares is a frustrating issue often tied to firmware updates or network settings. By using IP-based access and rechecking discovery settings, most users can restore file sharing functionality until a permanent fix or patch is released.