Cannot get VLC Player App to discover files on shared device over LAN? Windows 10 [FIX]

VLC Player App won't discover shared content over LAN via Upnp or SMB?

Firstly check that your Windows 10 device sharing options are set correctly:

1. Open your start menu and search "control panel" and open the app.
   
2. Now click on "Network and Sharing Centre".
   
3. On the left pane (upper left), click on "change advanced sharing settings".
   
4. Set your Private network options as follows:
   - Turn on "network discovery" (inc. the automatic setup of network-connected devices).
   - Make sure "File and printer sharing" is turned on.
   
5. It is up to you whether or not you turn on the Guest or Public network settings. I do not recommend turning this on if you are only sharing to specific devices connected to the same LAN as your Windows 10 device which is sharing your media content.
   
6. Under "All networks" set the following options:
   
7. Public folder sharing - This is up to you - I personally have this turned off.
   
8. Media Streaming - This is up to you - I this turned on so I can share my music.
   
9. Use 128 bit encryption to help protect file sharing connections (recommended).
   
10. Password-protected sharing - Turn this on!
    NOTE: With this option set you need to know the Windows 10 account login credentials as you will need to enter this later into the VLC app in order for the media files to be accessed.
    
11. Save the changes.

Secondly check that the media folder(s)/drive(s) that you wish to access, have the correct sharing settings set:

1. Rick click on each folder or drive and select properties.
   
2. Set the required settings under the sharing tab.

Thirdly, enable SMB 1.0 support.

1. Open your start menu and search "control panel" and open the app.
   
2. Now click on "Programs and Features".
   
3. On the left pane (upper left), click on "Turn Windows features on or off".
   
4. Scroll down the list to find a folder called "SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support".
   - You may need to click the plus and tick "SMB 1.0/CIFS Client" separately.
5. Tick the box, click OK and restart (even if not asked to).

If the above doesn't help, I had issues with network discovery after the latest major Windows update. To fix this I went to "File Explorer", selected "Network" in the left hand pane. Windows asked if I wanted to turn on "Network Discovery" (even though according to the Network and Sharing centre it was already on). So I did, restarted and then I could gain access in VLC.

Now when you next try to access the shared media via the VLC Player App. You'll be asked to login with the credentials mentioned earlier and you'll be able to access the shared media. If not, uninstall the VLC Player App, restart your device and then reinstall the VLC Player app.

Showbox loading videos in default android player, not in VLC / MX player (android) FIX

Showbox, you may prefer to play the content in the VLC player app but Showbox sometimes loads the content in the android video player. 

You can always use a different player such as MX player.

To fix this issue, take the following steps:

NOTE: The steps provided below are for Android v6.0.1 (marshmallow). Other versions will have settings located in slightly different places. Please Google your android version for aid in locating certain settings mentioned.

Step1) Clear APP defaults:

On your android device go to Settings > Apps.

In here for each APP listed below, click on the APP, scroll down and click on "Open by default", then click on "clear defaults":

a. Gallery
b. Showbox
c. VLC player
d. Any other player you may have (such as MX player)

Step 2) Reboot your device after these settings

Step 3) Open Showbox, select the content you wish to play. On the quality selection popup (e.g. 360, 480, 720), click on the "3 dotted vertical line" (options) and make sure that the player selected is "OTHER PLAYER...". Server and subtitles can be set at your discretion.

Step 4) Play the content by selecting the quality as mentioned above (e.g. 360/480/720) and click on "Watch Now". When prompted with "Open with", select your player (in my case VLC) followed by "ALWAYS" in the bottom right of this popup window.

SUCCESS! All your content for Showbox should now play in your selected player.

Note: You may have to select the VLC > ALWAYS on more than one occasion. Annoying but at least it plays in my preferred player :)

What is the best Codec Pack to use?

A question many friends have asked me! I personally tend to use K Lite Codec Pack (the Mega Version).

Though really it doesn't really matter. Majority of them do tend to have most codecs that you ever need.

Along side K Lite Mega Codec Pack I know that some people tend to use the VideoLAN Player which has some extra features allowing you to play just about anything.

Download Links:

K Lite Codec Packs

VideoLAN (web site so you can learn more for yourself)