Fixing the Local Device Name Already in Use Error

Unraveling the Local Device Name Already in Use Error: A Simple Solution

Causes of ‘The Local Device Name is already in Use’ Error on Windows

1. Drive letter conflict: This error occurs when there is a conflict with the assigned drive letter for a network drive.

2. Network drive mapping issue: The error can also occur if there is a problem with the network drive mapping, such as an incorrect file path or connection issue.

3. Restoring network connections: Sometimes, when Windows restores network connections, it may encounter an error that causes this message to appear.

Fixing the ‘The Local Device Name is already in Use’ Error:

– Verify drive letter availability: Right-click on the ‘Computer’ or ‘This PC’ icon, go to ‘Manage’, and select ‘Disk Management’. Check if the drive letter in question is already in use and assign a different letter if necessary.

– Remap the network drive: Disconnect the network drive, and then remap it using the correct file path and credentials.

– Restart the computer: Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary network issues and fix the error.

By addressing these common causes and following the suggested fixes, you can resolve ‘The Local Device Name is already in Use’ error on Windows.

Remapping the Network Drive

Fixing the Local Device Name Already in Use Error

If you encounter the “Local Device Name Already in Use” error message when remapping your network drive, here are some ways to resolve the problem:

1. First, make sure you are logged in to your Microsoft account and connected to the internet.

2. Open your web browser and go to Office.com.

3. Search for “Fixing Local Device Name Already in Use Error” to find troubleshooting articles specific to your issue.

4. Once you have found a relevant article, follow the instructions provided step by step.

5. If the error persists, try disconnecting and reconnecting your network drive. To do this, right-click on the drive and select “Disconnect”. Then, remap the drive using a different drive letter.

6. If you are using a NAS device, check if there are any networking or connection issues. Ensure that the NAS is properly connected to your network and accessible.

Reinitializing the Computer Browser

To fix the “Local Device Name Already in Use” error, you can reinitialize the Computer Browser. Follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “services.msc” and press Enter to open the Services window.
3. Scroll down and locate the “Computer Browser” service.
4. Right-click on the service and select “Restart” from the context menu.
5. Wait for the service to restart, then close the Services window.
6. Open File Explorer and check if the error is resolved.

If the error persists, you can also try remapping the network drive or restoring network connections. These methods may help resolve the issue.

Remember to verify that your network connections are stable and that there are no other issues with your network or network drives.

python
import socket

def is_device_name_in_use(device_name):
try:
socket.create_connection((device_name, 80))
return True
except socket.error:
return False

device_name = "my_device_name"

if is_device_name_in_use(device_name):
print(f"The local device name '{device_name}' is already in use.")
else:
print(f"The local device name '{device_name}' is available.")


Please note that this code assumes that you are checking the availability of a device name by attempting to create a connection to it. However, this method might not be foolproof as it depends on network configurations and other factors. Additionally, the code provided is a general example and may not be applicable to every platform or programming language.

Deleting a Key in the Registry

To fix the “Local Device Name Already in Use” error, you can delete a key in the registry. Follow these steps:

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlNetworkProviderHwOrder”.
4. Look for a key named “ProviderOrder”.
5. Right-click on “ProviderOrder” and select “Delete”.
6. Confirm the deletion when prompted.
7. Close the Registry Editor.
8. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

After following these steps, the error should be resolved, and you should be able to reconnect your network drive without any issues.

Properly Assigning Drive Letters

1. Open Disk Management by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting Disk Management from the context menu.
2. Locate the drive that is causing the error in the list of available drives.
   
3. Right-click on the drive and select Change Drive Letter and Paths.
4. Click on the Change button.
5. Choose an available drive letter from the drop-down menu.
6. Click OK to confirm the drive letter change.
   
7. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Repair Method 2: Using Command Prompt

1. Open Command Prompt by pressing Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, then type cmd and press Enter.
2. Type the command diskpart and press Enter to open the DiskPart utility.
3. Type list volume and press Enter to display a list of all volumes on your computer.
4. Identify the volume that is causing the error.
   
5. Type select volume X (replace X with the volume number) and press Enter.
6. Type assign letter=Y (replace Y with an available drive letter) and press Enter to assign a new drive letter.
   
7. Exit the DiskPart utility by typing exit and pressing Enter.
8. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Enabling File and Printer Sharing

To fix the “Local Device Name Already in Use” error when enabling file and printer sharing, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. In the left pane, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlNetworkProviderOrder.
4. Double-click the “ProviderOrder” value in the right pane.
5. Remove “mfcmapi” from the list of values and click OK.
6. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

After following these steps, you should be able to enable file and printer sharing without encountering the “Local Device Name Already in Use” error. If the error persists, you may need to check for other networking issues or consult Microsoft’s support resources for further assistance.

Ensuring Sufficient Space on the Server

To ensure sufficient space on the server and fix the “Local Device Name Already in Use” error, follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to “This PC” or “My Computer”.
2. Right-click on the mapped drive that is showing the error and select “Disconnect”.
3. Open Command Prompt as an administrator by pressing Windows key + X and selecting “Command Prompt (Admin)”.
4. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter: net use *
5. This command will display all the mapped drives on your system. Look for the drive letter that was causing the error and note down the name of the network path associated with it.
6. Now, type the following command and press Enter: net use [drive letter] /delete (replace [drive letter] with the actual drive letter causing the error).
7. Close the Command Prompt window and go back to File Explorer.
8. Right-click on “This PC” or “My Computer” again and select “Map network drive”.
9. In the “Drive” field, choose a different drive letter than the one causing the error.
10. In the “Folder” field, type the network path that you noted down earlier.
11. Check the “Reconnect at sign-in” box if you want the drive to be automatically mapped every time you start your computer.
12. Click “Finish” to complete the process.
13. The mapped drive should now be restored without any errors.

By following these steps, you can ensure sufficient space on the server and fix the “Local Device Name Already in Use” error.