I'm having trouble getting my devices to communicate over my local network. I'm trying to connect the Touch Portal app on my iPad to my Windows desktop, but every time I try using the QR code, scanning, or entering the IP manually, it fails to find the desktop. This isn't just an issue with the app because nothing on my network can see each other, except through the Spectrum app. I can see all connected devices there, but they just won't discover one another.
Here's what I've done so far:
1. Did a complete reset of my PC.
2. Contacted my ISP to check for any router settings that might block device communication; they said everything looks fine on their end.
3. With a friend's help, I used some CMD prompts to ping my iPad and iPhone from my PC, but I kept getting "destination host unreachable". He mentioned that the ARP table didn't show the other devices.
4. We explored firewall settings and checked the iOS device settings. I also tried using a network tool, but it couldn't detect any devices.
I'm really at a loss about what to try next. Any suggestions would be appreciated!
2 Answers
This sounds frustrating! Spectrum routers are notorious for isolating devices, which can prevent them from finding each other. You should check for any settings related to AP Isolation in your router's configuration. Usually, you can do this by logging into your router's IP address and looking for wireless settings. Disabling this feature can allow devices to see each other again.
Have you checked if device discovery is enabled in your network settings? Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center and make sure that 'Network Discovery' is turned on. You may also want to ensure that the folders you want to share are properly set up in your sharing settings. If file sharing isn't your goal, consider running a media server to stream content, as I use Emby for sharing media between devices.
I've got everything set for network discovery and sharing too, but I'm just trying to get the Touch Portal app to work. It relies on Wi-Fi connection to execute commands from my iPad to my desktop.
I asked a Spectrum support rep about AP Isolation, and they insisted there’s no such setting. I dug deeper and found out they call it 'mobile wireless access point', which I checked, but it’s already off. When I tried enabling UPnP, my Wi-Fi dropped out!