If your Synology shared folder not showing in File Station, you're not alone. This guide covers why folders disappear and how to fix it fast, so you can regain access and avoid future issues with folder visibility across your NAS setup.
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Synology NAS (Network Attached Storage) is a super versatile storage solution that lets you store, share, and access files over your network. Think of it as your personal cloud—without those pesky monthly subscription fees.
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Shared folders are the backbone of your NAS. They hold your media, backups, personal files—basically everything. Think of them like the main drawers in a digital filing cabinet. They’re what you “share” over the network so devices can access the files.
Why Do Shared Folders Go Missing?
Good question! It’s usually not because the folder got deleted. Instead, something’s preventing it from showing up—either in File Station, Synology Assistant, or your network drive.
1. Folder Not Showing in File Station
You open File Station, and that important folder just isn’t there. The files still exist somewhere, but they’re hiding in plain sight.
2. Shared Folder Not Showing Up in Synology Assistant
If the shared folder is not showing up in Synology Assistant, the software may not detect shared folders due to permissions or network discovery issues.
3. Inaccessible from Network Devices
Sometimes, the folder doesn’t show up on your PC or Mac even when mapped as a drive. That's a classic sign something is off with the NAS visibility or protocol configuration.
Let’s break down the usual suspects behind your disappearing shared folders.
Your user account may not have the rights to view the folder. It might be as simple as a missing checkbox.
Your computer might be looking in the wrong place for the NAS if your DNS or IP settings are off.
File sharing relies on these protocols. If they're disabled or misconfigured, shared folders won’t be accessible from other devices.
Some folders may be marked as hidden, either accidentally or for security reasons.
On Windows or macOS, if your mapped network drive breaks, it might look like the folder is missing when it’s really just disconnected.
Let’s walk through this. One step at a time. Follow along and you’ll have those folders back in no time.
Sometimes you lose access because your user account doesn't have the necessary permissions.
1. Log in to DSM (DiskStation Manager).
2. Go to Control Panel > Shared Folder.
3. Click on the missing folder > Edit > Permissions.
4. Make sure your user account or group has “Read/Write” or “Read” access.
File sharing protocols might’ve been disabled after an update or reboot.
1. Go to Control Panel > File Services.
2. Make sure SMB (for Windows) and/or AFP (for Mac) are enabled.
3. Hit Apply to save settings.
Your computer might’ve lost track of the NAS folder.
1. Open File Explorer > Right-click This PC > Map Network Drive.
2. Enter \\[YourNASIP]\[FolderName] and check Reconnect at login.
1. Go to Finder > Go > Connect to Server.
2. Type smb://[YourNASIP]/[FolderName], click Connect.
It’s possible someone marked the folder as hidden.
1. In DSM, go to Control Panel > Shared Folder.
2. Click Edit on the folder and make sure Hide this shared folder in “My Network Places” is unchecked.
Your computer’s firewall or antivirus could be blocking the NAS.
If none of the above methods worked, here are a few advanced steps.
1. Go to Control Panel > Indexing Service.
2. Choose the missing folder and click Re-index.
This refreshes visibility and searchability.
Outdated or corrupted firmware can cause weird bugs.
If you’ve tried it all and nothing works, it might be a deeper system-level issue. Contact Synology with:
They’re helpful and usually quick to respond.
Having your Synology NAS shared folder not visible is annoying, but as you’ve seen, it’s not a dead-end. Whether it’s a simple permission glitch, an SMB protocol hiccup, or a deeper network issue, you’ve now got a full toolkit to bring those folders back into the light.
Take it step by step, breathe, and don't forget—you’re smarter than your NAS!
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With MultCloud, you can schedule automatic transfers, manage multiple cloud accounts, and even access your NAS from anywhere without needing to configure complicated network settings. It's a game-changer for anyone who wants secure, remote, and centralized control over their Synology NAS.