Random Devices showing in Windows Explorer network tab

[SmartRobot]

I sometimes see random devices (example: printers, TVs) that are not connected to my network show up in my network tab in Windows Explorer. I have checked to make sure that all the devices listed in the router devices list are mine. Here is an example of an LG TV showing up:

 

 

I have looked it up and the only answer I see on other forums is:

"WCNCSVC hosts the Windows Connect Now Configuration which is Microsoft's Implementation of Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS) protocol. This is used to configure Wireless LAN settings for an Access Point (AP) or a Wi-Fi Device. The service is started programmatically as needed. I just disabled that service and no longer see this. I can only surmise that it senses a phone nearby and 'remembers' it. In my case they tend to disappear within minutes and properties only show a MAC address, it never connects."

 

This is hard to believe because my PC does not have a wifi/bluetooth card, so there is no way for it to wirelessly detect other devices not on the network. If this is what's happening, I wonder how the router is telling my PC about these devices.

 

In case it helps in identifying the problem, here is the list of relevant devices:

Motherboard with the integrated NIC: Asrock B450M-HDV R4.0

WiFi/router combo unit: Arcadyan PRV65B444A-S-TS (aka Telus Wi-fi Hub)

[Windows7ge]

Looking up that MAC address there it belongs to a "LGInnote LG Innotek" product. Have you tried finding the MAC in your Routers client list? See what IP it has and if you can find it?

 

If it's on the Wi-Fi and it's not yours I'd change your Wi-Fi password, restart your computer and router and see if it goes away.

[Curious Pineapple]

Don't quote me but I believe this happens if a nearly device attempts to connect to your network. Even without the key it is still "visible" on the network as the WiFi hardware is connected to the router, just doesn't have an IP address or the ability to actually communicate with the network.

[SmartRobot]

22 hours ago, Windows7ge said:

Looking up that MAC address there it belongs to a "LGInnote LG Innotek" product. Have you tried finding the MAC in your Routers client list? See what IP it has and if you can find it?

 

If it's on the Wi-Fi and it's not yours I'd change your Wi-Fi password, restart your computer and router and see if it goes away.

I have tried looking for this one and the other ones that have showed up and haven't seen them yet.

 

15 hours ago, Curious Pineapple said:

Don't quote me but I believe this happens if a nearly device attempts to connect to your network. Even without the key it is still "visible" on the network as the WiFi hardware is connected to the router, just doesn't have an IP address or the ability to actually communicate with the network.

This seems the most likely reason because these devices disappear after a while. I am guessing its people living nearby trying to connect their TVs and printers to their WiFi. Do you have a resource (that may have lead to you knowing about this) related to this?

[Windows7ge]

7 minutes ago, SmartRobot said:

I have tried looking for this one and the other ones that have showed up and haven't seen them yet.

Did you change anything?

[SmartRobot]

1 minute ago, Windows7ge said:

Did you change anything?

I meant to say that I haven't seen them in the devices list in the router. As for seeing them in the Windows Explorer, I currently don't see any device that isn't mine but these random devices don't always show up in this list. Sometimes they disappear when I hit reload in the explorer window. I will periodically check the explorer over the next few days to see if any device does show up.

[SmartRobot]

Just after I wrote the previous post, I noticed an Android Box show up in the Windows Explorer. Then, I immediately turned off WPS on all 3 of the wifi bands (this has worked for some people in other forums). Then, after reloading the explorer a few times, the device disappeared, which could mean that this is true:

16 hours ago, Curious Pineapple said:

Don't quote me but I believe this happens if a nearly device attempts to connect to your network. Even without the key it is still "visible" on the network as the WiFi hardware is connected to the router, just doesn't have an IP address or the ability to actually communicate with the network.

Maybe turning off WPS stops those devices from connecting to my network without a password. I am not certain on this though because maybe the other person exited from the wifi selection screen (most people don't keep it open for very long, right?). Do you think this is probably whats happening and I should stop worrying about this?

Edited April 8, 2020 by SmartRobot
punctuation

[SmartRobot]

After doing this for a few days, I think that turning off WPS is the solution. I have not had a single device show up since I turned off WPS and a device showed up shortly after turning it on.