The Synology NAS(Network Attached Storage) is the way to go for modern homes. It is a multifunctional server that connects to your home or office network. It allows you to store files and stream your shows on wirelessly connected devices on the same network. The Synology NAS connects to your router; therefore, it is available to the entire network. Since your smart TV, phones, video game consoles and computers also connect to your network, they can see your Synology NAS and vice versa.
There are scenarios where your Synology NAS is not visible on the network; you moved homes, bought a new computer, or purchased a new router. The easiest way to find your Synology NAS is by using Web Assistant or the official Synology Assistant software. Here is an instructional guide to help you find your Synology NAS after disappearing and troubleshooting tips when you don’t find it.
Finding a Synology NAS on a network
You can use these two tools to find your Synology NAS; Web Assistant and Synology Assistant. So here is an in-depth guide on finding your Synology NAS on a network.
Finding Synology NAS with Web Assistant
- Go to your internet browser and search http://find.synology.com.
- Click “Connect” to access your Synology NAS.
- If you have multiple Synology NAS running on your network, tap the arrows on the left and right of the page for navigation.
Finding Synology NAS with Synology Assistant
- Synology Assistant is an official Synology desktop app for searching Synology devices on the network.
- Go to the official Synology website and download Synology Assistant.
- Tap the “Select product type” dropdown menu.
- Click “NAS.”
- Tap the “Select your Synology Product” dropdown menu.
- Type your Synology NAS’s model number to find your Synology NAS device from the search result.
- Scroll to the “Desktop Utilities” tab and find Synology Assistant.
- Click “Download” depending on the OS you’re using.
- After the Synology Assistant installation, click “ Allow access” to start it.
- Go to the Synology Assistant app and allow it to scan your network for available Synology devices. If it doesn’t start scanning automatically, click the search icon below the “Management” tab.
- Then the Synology devices will appear on the screen.
- Select your Synology device and click “Connect.”
Why can’t I see my Synology NAS on the network?
If you cant see your Synology NAS on the network, try the following methods to identify and troubleshoot the issue.
- Ensure both your Synology NAS and computer are properly connected to the internet. Check your router and ensure it has WiFi.
- Place your Synology NAS and computer are on the same local area network and subnet.
- If you have DSM(Distributed Shared Memory), go to DSM > Control Panel> Info Center > Device Analytics > Share Network Location and mark the “Enable Web Assistant” checkbox.
- Check if you have changed your server name. Changing the server name can give you trouble locating your Synology NAS. Instead, go to DSM > Control Panel > Network > General > to change the Server Name to SynologyNAS and try again.
- If none of the suggestions work, find your Synology NAS with Synology Assistant below.
How to find my NAS IP address?
You may want to know your NAS IP address after changing the Synology NAS IP address, changing to a new router, shifting to a new home network, or setting up a new NAS. Once you connect your NAS to the network, your NAS device will share the general IP address of your PC. So your Synology NAS IP address is your Computer’s IP address. Here’s how to find your Synology IP address through the Control Panel.
- Select Start > Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center.
- Then, click the “Change Adapter Settings” tab.
- Right-click on your computer’s network connection icon and select “Status.” A prompt will appear with the IP address of your computer, which is also the IP address of your NAS device.
Synology assistant can’t find NAS: Causes and fixes
Follow the steps below that help explain the causes and fixes of why your cant find your NAS using Synology Assistant.
- Confirm your Synology NAS and computer are on the same local area network and subnet.
- Disable your firewall and antivirus software temporarily on your computer.
- Check if the Ethernet cables you connect to your Synology NAS are defective or broken and replace them if necessary.
- Check for defective parts. Connect the Ethernet cable to another port if your NAS has multiple network ports.
- Install your Synology Assistant, run it on a different computer, and then search for your Synology NAS.
- NAS and DSM compatibility issues. Suppose you’re using the Synology Assistant and the Synology NAS, and you’re trying you run it on DSM 6.2.3 and earlier or DSM UC 3.0.1 and earlier; tap the gear icon in Synology Assistant and tick “Enable” to allow compatibility with devices that do not support password encryption.
- Press the RESET button on your Synology NAS for four seconds, and you will hear a beep sound. Then reset your NAS settings.
- After a successful NAS reset, turn off the WiFi connection on your PC and then connect your NAS device directly to your PC using an Ethernet cable without going through a network switch or router.
- Adjust your computer’s wired LAN interface to DHCP and try locating your Synology using Synology Assistant again.
- Close down your Synology NAS, disconnect the drives, restart your Synology NAS, and try searching for the device again.
- It’s likely hardware failure if Synology Assistant can find your Synology NAS without any installed drives but can locate it after installing all the drives using the same PC.
How to move your Synology NAS to a new network
If you move houses, change your router, or your company relocates to a new office, you’re likely to lose access to your Synology NAS. The solution is to reconfigure your network settings. Changing to a new network requires updating the IP address, subnet mask, and default gateway.
- Find your Synology NAS with Synology Assistant. Its status may show “Connection Failed.”
- Right-click on your device and select “Setup,” and the Setup Wizard will appear.
- Log in to the Synology Assistant administrator’s account and click “Next.”
- Choose the “Get network configuration automatically(DHCP) option, then click “Finish.”
- After a short while, the status of your Synology NAS should be “Ready.” if it doesn’t show, click “Search” on the upper-left-hand corner to refresh the page. Double-click on it to connect the new network to your Synology NAS.
- If you have changed locations, then the IP address has also changed. Therefore, you must manually reconfigure the network drive to find your Synology NAS.
- Go to Control Panel > Network Interface.
- Select “Edit” on the LAN device.
- Choose “Use manual configuration” and enter the static or fixed IP address you want to use. The gateway, subnet mask, and DNS server can stay as default since they come from DHCP. If the DNS server or default gateway is unavailable, leave the field blank.
- Select “OK,” and your new network settings will reset, and your DSM session will refresh with your new IP address.
- If you have plugged in more than one Ethernet port on your Synology NAS, you need to reconfigure separate IP addresses for each LAN interface.
Conclusion
We have shown you how to find your Synology NAS on the network using the Synology Assistant desktop app and Web Assistant. We also teach you to find your NAS IP address and some troubleshooting tips if you do not find your Synology NAS. If none of the suggested solutions work, contact Synology customer service for help. Hardware issues in the NAS can create connection failure and may require a server replacement.