Steam link connection problem

[VeryBetter]

TLDR: Steam link last worked 2 months ago during first time setup, now it can't find my desktop even though it finds my laptop on the same network. Plugged steam link directly into desktop and it worked. What to do


I bought a steam link 1-2 months ago, and setup went flawlessly. The steam link was plugged directly into my router, as is my desktop. It easily found my desktop and I was playing games right away. I have not used it since that day.

I went to use it today for the first time since, and the steam link could not discover my PC. Although the computer and steam are open (and streaming is enabled, I checked that multiple times), nothing shows up. I've been troubleshooting and reading forums about the issue and nothing has helped so far. I made sure my network profile is public and the PC is able to be found. I've turned windows defender firewall off and even checked specific permissions, of which steam and "cast to device steaming server" are allowed inbound and outbound (I honestly don't know if that's related but it sounded good).

I also have a laptop with steam and the steam link was able to discover it immediately and stream from it today.

I then plugged my steam link directly into my PC and it was discovered and able to stream. This was with windows firewall activated as well. I plugged both back into the router (and even tried different positions in the router) and no luck. None of my router settings have been changed in that time.

I was just going to reinstall steam and my games and then reformat my PC if all else fails, but it working when directly plugged in threw me for a loop. I thought it was a PC problem since my laptop worked but now I'm not sure. Any suggestions?

[l-b-nimble]

I am having the exact same issue! Please someone respond with a suggestion here!

[_I_]

anything change?
new av on host? disable av firewall and windows firewalls

try pinging the link
start -> run/search -> cmd
ping 192.168.x.x (link ip)

if its not responding to ping its a lan/network issue
check wires make sure link has a valid ip

if its pingable it should work, have the link scan for host pcs again

[VeryBetter]

So I've gotten it to work in a dumb way. If the steam link is connected to the network wirelessly, it works. If the steam link is directly plugged into my router, it wont work. Not sure how to explain it, but thats my solution for the time being.

[_I_]

are the pc and link connected directly to the same router?
do they get a similar ip?
ex. 192.168.same.different?