Can't access my USB drive plugged into TP-Link router
Archer C1200 , Archer C5400 , Archer AX55 , Archer AX53 , Archer C5 , Archer AX10 , Archer AX51 , Archer AX95 , Archer AX96 , Archer A2200 , Archer C6U , Archer C80 , Archer C8 , Archer AX10000 , Archer C3150 , Archer C9 , Archer AX50 , Archer C6 , Archer C7 , Archer AX90 , Archer AX6000 , Archer C5400X , Archer C24 , Archer A20 , Archer A64 , Archer C60 , Archer C21 , Archer A10 Pro , Archer AX1800 , Archer AX80 , Archer AX206 , Archer C59 , Archer C58 , Archer AX4200 , Archer C3200 , Archer AX75 , Archer AX4400 , Archer AX73 , Archer A10 , Archer A54 , Archer AX4800 , Archer C1900 , Archer C54 , Archer A2300 , Archer AXE75 , Archer A2600 Pro , Archer A6 , Archer AX72 , Archer AXE200 Omni , Archer A5 , Archer GX90 , Archer A8 , Archer A9 , Archer C5 Pro , Archer AX68 , Archer C2300 , Archer AX5300 , Archer AX23 , Archer AX20 , Archer C3150 V2 , Archer C4000 , Archer AX21 , Archer A3000 , Archer Air R5 , Archer AXE300 , Archer AX1500 , Archer C90 , Archer AX60 , Archer AX11000 , Archer AX3200 , Archer AX3000
Recent updates may have expanded access to feature(s) discussed in this FAQ. Visit your product's support page, select the correct hardware version for your device and check either the Datasheet or the firmware section for the latest improvements added to your product.
If you are unable to access the USB drives, we provide some suggestions for different situations.
Can't recognize my USB drive
Can't find the TP-Link share in the network
Can't access the USB sharing via samba(SMB)
Can't recognize my USB drive
There are many partition formats for USB drives. Our router supports part of them. Some models only support NTFS/FAT32. Some support exFAT/HFS+/NTFS/FAT32. You can check the specification page on our official website. For example https://www.tp-link.com/en/home-networking/wifi-router/archer-ax20/#specifications
NOTE:
We recommend NTFS because this format has better compatibility and performance.
For the macOS systems, you can use exFAT or HFS+.
The router does not guarantee compatibility with external hard drive enclosures, especially multi-bay ones. Compatibility may vary, and performance cannot be assured.
Can't find the TP-Link share in the network
This issue is related to the windows sharing settings. Suggestions:
1. Enable smbv1 in the windows system.
1) Open the control panel.
2) Click Uninstall a program.
3) Click Turn Windows features on or off.
4) Enable SMB 1.0/CIFS Client. Then click OK.
2. Enable Network discovery in the network and sharing center settings.
1) Open the control panel.
2) Click Network and Internet.
3) Click Network and Sharing Center.
4) Click Change advanced sharing settings.
5) Enable Turn on network discovery in the Private and Guest or Public.
6) Open Windows Explorer. Go to Network. Click TP-SHARE(Red) to access the USB drive.
Note: TP-Share(Green) is not USB storage sharing.
7) If you still fail to access USB storage, you can refer to this FAQ to access it: How to access USB storage device on the TP-Link Routers from Windows or Mac OS
Can't access the USB sharing via samba(SMB)
Some windows system has some limits to accessing the samba. Suggestion:
1. Enable smbv1 in the windows system.
1) Open the control panel.
2) Click Uninstall a program.
3) Click Turn Windows features on or off.
4) Enable SMB 1.0/CIFS Client. Then click OK.
2. Enable insecure guest logons
1) Press Win+R. Within the run box, type “gpedit.msc”
2) Within the Local Group Policy Editor, select “Administrative Templates”>>“Network”>> ”Lanman Workstation”.
3) Double-click the “Enable Insecure guest logons” option >> tick the “Enable” option >> OK.
Related FAQs
Is this faq useful?
Your feedback helps improve this site.
What’s your concern with this article?
- Dissatisfied with product
- Too Complicated
- Confusing Title
- Does not apply to me
- Too Vague
- Other
Thank you
We appreciate your feedback.
Click here to contact TP-Link technical support.
TP-Link Community
Still need help? Search for answers, ask questions, and get help from TP-Link experts and other users around the world.
This website uses cookies to improve website navigation, analyze online activities and have the best possible user experience on our website. You can object to the use of cookies at any time. You can find more information in our privacy policy . Don’t show again
This website uses cookies to improve website navigation, analyze online activities and have the best possible user experience on our website. You can object to the use of cookies at any time. You can find more information in our privacy policy . Don’t show again
Basic Cookies
These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be deactivated in your systems.
TP-Link
accepted_local_switcher, tp_privacy_base, tp_privacy_marketing, tp_smb-select-product_scence, tp_smb-select-product_scenceSimple, tp_smb-select-product_userChoice, tp_smb-select-product_userChoiceSimple, tp_smb-select-product_userInfo, tp_smb-select-product_userInfoSimple, tp_top-banner, tp_popup-bottom, tp_popup-center, tp_popup-right-middle, tp_popup-right-bottom, tp_productCategoryType
Livechat
__livechat, __lc2_cid, __lc2_cst, __lc_cid, __lc_cst, CASID
Youtube
id, VISITOR_INFO1_LIVE, LOGIN_INFO, SIDCC, SAPISID, APISID, SSID, SID, YSC, __Secure-1PSID, __Secure-1PAPISID, __Secure-1PSIDCC, __Secure-3PSID, __Secure-3PAPISID, __Secure-3PSIDCC, 1P_JAR, AEC, NID, OTZ
Analysis and Marketing Cookies
Analysis cookies enable us to analyze your activities on our website in order to improve and adapt the functionality of our website.
The marketing cookies can be set through our website by our advertising partners in order to create a profile of your interests and to show you relevant advertisements on other websites.
Google Analytics & Google Tag Manager
_gid, _ga_<container-id>, _ga, _gat_gtag_<container-id>
Google Ads & DoubleClick
test_cookie, _gcl_au
Meta Pixel
_fbp
Crazy Egg
cebsp_, _ce.s, _ce.clock_data, _ce.clock_event, cebs
lidc, AnalyticsSyncHistory, UserMatchHistory, bcookie, li_sugr, ln_or