How to Access Your Synology NAS from the Network: A Complete Guide

If you've recently set up a Synology NAS or are returning to it after a network change, being unable to access it can feel like a technical brick wall. Whether you're backing up precious files, managing multimedia, or sharing storage across devices, the NAS is your digital backbone. When it disappears from your network, it's more than just a mild inconvenience.

The good news? Accessing your Synology NAS from your network is typically a quick fix once you know what tools to use and which settings to double-check. In this guide, we'll explore exactly how to locate and connect to your Synology NAS across various scenarios from initial setup to post-reset recovery.

Why Synology NAS Access Isn't Always Easy

You might expect your NAS to appear instantly in your file explorer or browser. However, a few common issues can make your NAS harder to spot:

• Your computer and NAS aren't on the same network or subnet.

• Your firewall or antivirus is blocking discovery tools.

• The NAS IP has changed after a router restart.

• Browser incompatibility is preventing Web Assistant from working.

• The NAS itself needs a reset or physical reconnection.

Two Reliable Ways to Find Your Synology NAS

You've got two go-to options for locating your Synology NAS: Synology Assistant and Web Assistant. Both do the same job in slightly different ways.

Web Assistant

Web Assistant is the way to go for anyone who doesn't want to download software. All you need is a browser. Head to find.synology.com, and the tool will automatically scan your network for any connected NAS devices.

Synology Assistant

If you prefer to install a desktop app and like having a bit more control, Synology Assistant is the better option. It's a small program that scans your local area network and shows any connected Synology NAS devices.

Start with Web Assistant in Your Browser

The simplest method to access your Synology storage server is Synology's Web Assistant. This browser-based tool scans your network and shows available NAS devices.

To use it:

• Open a web browser and type find.synology.com into the address bar.
• Wait a moment while the tool scans your local network.
• Once your NAS appears, click "Connect" to access the login page for DiskStation Manager (DSM).

On Mac computers, you can also try typing synologynas.local:5000 in the address bar. Windows users may use synologynas:5000 as an alternative.

This method works best when your computer and NAS are on the same LAN. If nothing shows up, try switching browsers. Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Edge all support Web Assistant, but some browser extensions or settings may interfere with detection.

Troubleshooting When Web Assistant Doesn't Detect Your NAS

If Web Assistant comes up empty, there are a few checks worth making before moving on:

Make sure your computer and NAS are connected to the same network and using the same IP range. It's easy to overlook this if you're using WiFi and the NAS is plugged into a different subnet.

Try a different browser. If you've customised browser settings or installed privacy extensions, detection may be blocked.

If you still have access to the NAS's DSM interface on another device, you can enable visibility via the Control Panel. Head to Info Center, then under Device Analytics, and ensure the shared network location setting is turned on.

If you've previously renamed your NAS during setup, the default hostname may no longer work. To restore default visibility, open Control Panel, Network > General, and reset the Server Name to "SynologyNAS".

How to Use Synology Assistant to Access Your NAS

Using Synology Assistant is very simple and takes only a few minutes. First, download the software from the Synology website. Ensure you select the correct version for your operating system, whether Windows, macOS, or Linux.

After installing it, open the program and let it scan your local network. If everything is set up correctly, your NAS should appear in the list. Just double-click it to open it in your browser.

In some cases, your NAS might not show up straight away. This often happens if your firewall is blocking certain ports. To solve that, you might need to allow Synology Assistant through your firewall or temporarily pause your antivirus software.

Already logged in? Supercharge your NAS with the right SSD setup for faster file access, indexing, and multitasking. Learn how to boost Synology NAS speed with SSDs.

If Synology Assistant Doesn't Detect Your NAS

If your NAS still refuses to show up in Synology Assistant, don't worry. Here are a few things to check:

• Make sure your computer and NAS are connected to the same router and network. If you're using WiFi for one and Ethernet for the other, check that they're on the same subnet.

• Allow the Assistant app through your Windows or macOS firewall. If it's being blocked, it won't detect anything.

• Pause your antivirus temporarily to rule out software interference.

• Try plugging the NAS into a different Ethernet port on your router or switch.

• Restart both your NAS and router. This simple step often resolves network visibility issues.

• If you're running a version of Synology Assistant released after version 7.0-50044 and your NAS uses DSM 6.2.3 or older, open the app's settings (gear icon) and enable the option for compatibility with devices that don't support password encryption.

• If you have a second computer or laptop, try running Synology Assistant on that instead to see if the issue is device-specific.

• As a last resort, perform a soft reset. Hold the reset button on the back of the NAS for about four seconds until you hear a beep. This resets the network settings without touching your data.

Tracking Down the NAS IP Address Directly

If the automatic tools still don't find your NAS, manually identifying its IP address is a solid backup plan.
Start by logging in to your router. Most routers display connected devices in a dashboard. Look for names like "DiskStation", "SynologyNAS", or a similar label.You can also use an IP scanning tool like Angry IP Scanner. It quickly scans all IP addresses within your local subnet and shows active devices. Your NAS will appear with an open web port and should be clearly labelled.
Once you have the IP, type it into your browser's address bar. For example: http://192.168.1.34:5000.

This takes you directly to the DSM login screen.

How do you connect a NAS that's been moved to a new network?

If you've changed routers, taken your NAS to a new location, or rebuilt your home network, your NAS might not connect automatically. Here's what to do.Plug the NAS into your new network via Ethernet. Then, launch Synology Assistant. If it appears as "Connection Failed", right-click and choose the Setup option. Log in to your Synology account. In the wizard, choose to automatically assign network settings (DHCP).
Once the configuration is completed, the NAS should change status to "Ready". If not, try rebooting both the NAS and your router, then rerun the search.

How do you reset and reconnect the NAS without a router?

If you've reached a point where no tools can find the NAS, there's one more option. You should disconnect the NAS from your network and connect it directly to your computer using an Ethernet cable. Turn off WiFi and ensure your computer's LAN port is set to receive an IP address via DHCP. Then, run Synology Assistant again. If it detects the NAS this time, you can perform a basic setup and assign a new IP. This approach removes variables like switches and routers, giving you a cleaner environment to test whether the NAS hardware is functioning.

Final Tips to keep your NAS visible in future

Once you've reconnected to your NAS, it's worth taking a few steps to prevent this issue from recurring:

• Assign a static IP address to your NAS through your router settings. This keeps it from switching IPs every time the router reboots.

• Enable QuickConnect in DSM for remote access without the need for IP or port forwarding. This gives you a web address you can use from anywhere.

• Keep DSM and Synology Assistant updated. Each version improves network stability and device discovery.

• Check firewall and antivirus permissions periodically, especially after system updates.

• If you ever need to physically move the NAS again, make sure to log the existing IP settings or switch to DHCP mode first.

Want 24/7 access to your files without paying for cloud storage? Read how to set up Synology NAS as your personal cloud.

Accessing Synology NAS from the Network: Commonly Asked Questions

How to access Synology NAS on the network?

To access your Synology NAS on a local network, ensure the device is powered on and connected to your router using an Ethernet cable. Once it's physically connected, open a web browser on your computer and go to http://find.synology.com. This web assistant will automatically detect the NAS device on your local area network. Alternatively, you can download and use the Synology Assistant desktop utility to locate the NAS and launch its interface. When your NAS appears in the browser, simply click on it to open the DSM (DiskStation Manager) login screen, where you can enter your administrator credentials and begin managing your files and settings.

How to access Synology NAS via Ethernet?

If you wish to connect your Synology NAS directly to a computer via Ethernet, you'll need to set up a peer-to-peer network. Begin by connecting the NAS to your PC or laptop with a standard Ethernet cable. Then, manually assign a static IP address to both the NAS and the computer, ensuring they are on the same subnet. For example, set the NAS to 192.168.1.2 and the computer to 192.168.1.1. Once this is configured, you can access the NAS by typing its IP address into your web browser.

How do I access my NAS directly?

Accessing your NAS directly without involving a router or switch requires a direct Ethernet connection between the NAS and a computer. After connecting the two devices with an Ethernet cable, assign both devices static IP addresses within the same range. Once both devices are configured, open your browser and enter the NAS's IP address to launch the DSM interface.

How do you connect Synology NAS to a wireless network?

While Synology NAS units are primarily designed for wired Ethernet connections, certain models do support wireless connectivity through compatible USB WiFi dongles. To connect your NAS to a wireless network, insert a supported WiFi adapter into one of the NAS's USB ports. Then, log into DSM and go to Control Panel > Network > Wireless to scan for and connect to available wireless networks. Keep in mind that not all USB WiFi adapters are supported, so it's essential to consult Synology's official compatibility list before purchasing.

How do you access NAS from another network?

To access your Synology NAS remotely from a different network, the most user-friendly method is to enable Synology QuickConnect. Within DSM, navigate to Control Panel > QuickConnect and sign in with your Synology account. After setup, you can access your NAS through a unique URL such as https://quickconnect.to/YourID. For more advanced remote access, you can configure port forwarding on your router and use a Dynamic DNS (DDNS) service like yourname.synology.me to access your NAS via a custom hostname.

How do I give access to Synology NAS?

Giving access to a Synology NAS involves creating user accounts and managing permissions within DSM. Go to Control Panel and open the User section to add new users or groups. During this process, you can assign passwords and determine access rights to shared folders, applications, and system services. If multiple users require access to specific areas, it's efficient to use groups to manage permissions collectively. Additionally, ensure that the appropriate file-sharing services, such as SMB or AFP, are enabled under File Services so users can connect from Windows or macOS devices.

How do I access a shared NAS drive?

On a Windows system, press Win + R, type \\NAS_Name or \\NAS_IP_Address, and press Enter. You'll be prompted to enter your username and password, after which you'll see the list of shared folders available to your account. On a Mac, open Finder, choose "Go" from the menu, then "Connect to Server," and enter the address using either the SMB or AFP format (e.g., smb://192.168.1.100). Once connected, the shared folders will be accessible just like any regular drive on your system.

How do I log in to Synology NAS?

Open a web browser and visit http://find.synology.com, which will automatically detect your NAS and direct you to the login screen. Alternatively, you can enter the device's IP address directly in your browser if you already know it. Once the login page appears, enter your DSM username and password. If you have enabled QuickConnect, you can log in remotely using your QuickConnect ID. After a successful login, you'll have full access to your NAS dashboard, file systems, and configuration settings.

Key Takeaways

Accessing your Synology NAS over your network should be as easy as visiting a web page or running a quick utility. However, if your device disappears from view, don't worry. Between Synology Assistant, Web Assistant, direct IP access and manual resets, there's always a way to get it back online.
By following the methods listed in this guide and troubleshooting, you'll be managing files, backing up data, and streaming media in no time.

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