NTSTATUS 0xC000021C (STATUS_NO_BROWSER_SERVERS

Status / error code:		Category:

Constant name:
Source:		Operating System:
Description: No legacy browser server returned the requested workgroup or domain list.

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STATUS_DATA_NOT_ACCEPTED	STATUS_VDM_HARD_ERROR

STATUS_NO_BROWSER_SERVERS_FOUND

The legacy workgroup browser list has no reachable browser server

The CIFS Browser Protocol relies on master and backup browser servers that maintain lists of computers and resources for a workgroup or domain. This status means the client could not obtain that list; it does not prove that the target SMB server itself is offline.

Modern Windows no longer installs SMBv1 by default, and the old Computer Browser discovery method depends on SMBv1 and NetBIOS datagrams. Direct UNC access or DNS-based discovery can therefore work while the Explorer Network list is empty. Do not re-enable SMBv1 merely to restore cosmetic browsing without assessing its security impact.

What to inspect

Test direct access to the target by DNS name and SMB port separately.
Determine whether the environment still depends on the legacy Browser protocol.
Use supported discovery and inventory mechanisms instead of enabling SMBv1 by default.

References

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