How to connect an external drive to the USB port of your router (Easy step by step guide)

Use your storage USB port to connect an external drive for backup and as a network share
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00:00 Intro
00:38 Connect the external storage to the USB port of your router
00:51 Enable SMB sharing in the router's admin page
01:51 Create a user with permissions to the share
03:19 Access the share and map a drive letter to it
05:14 Choose the drive in Backup
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[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Will a USB hub work on a router? Find out here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/earXnXWXgsZqrLs If you cannot connect to the share, enable SMBv1: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ineooXiprbanibc For more tutorials, subscribe to my channel, it really makes a difference 🧡: kzbin.info

[@Work-ll2oj]

New subscriber!!

[@gigglemeowreviewsandtechti425]

so much simpler than some of the others I've seen. It works

[@mike007usa]

I watched about 6 other videos that didn't work when configuring a Nighthawk and this one did. Thank you sir!

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Glad I could help

[@PecosNM]

Thank you, easy to follow instructions!

[@Old52Guy]

I had no idea this could be done. Thanks!

[@Work-ll2oj]

Thank you very much for sharing! Very clear and helpful video. I was looking for this kind of video for a while. I am so glad I found this. I have a very limited knowledge with computer, I can’t wait to try this. I am exited and scared . Wish me luck. Greatly appreciate your video!

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Goode luck!

[@stsfnaf.613]

Tutorial is very very helpful. Explanation was very simple and clear.

[@Valandovchanec]

This is what I needed! Thanks

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Glad to hear it!

[@L7vanmatre]

People like you are wonderful. Thank you so very much for this video! I've tried on my own for so long but now I can finally use it properly like this. Thank you so much again!

[@timcrna2980]

Excellent presentation. Your explanation was simple, clear and direct. So helpful!

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Glad you liked it

[@patgar1956]

Excellent video and explanation. Keep up the good work. Cheers from Australia

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Thanks mate!

[@preetipisces20032002]

Thank you sooo much!! It was so helpful and very clear!

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

You're very welcome!

[@English.Fluency]

Thank you very much, this was very useful!!!

[@pilljr.3331]

Terrific video…thanks!

[@VegitoBlackityBlack]

I have a completely different router but this got me in the right direction and I figured it out. Thanks

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Great to hear!

[@VegitoBlackityBlack]

@@KnowledgeSharingTech Once I learned Samba was SMB I figured it out.

[@User-cc6cq]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Glad it was helpful!

[@timoschulte8657]

Excellent!

[@promodine]

Thank you for making it such an easy task!!

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Welcome

[@bikeman9899]

Nice work!!

[@bluenetmarketing]

Extremely helpful. Thank you.

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Glad it was helpful!

[@user-wb5bi1hc3k]

Great Job. Thank you so much for sharing

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Thanks for watching!

[@jakemacgregor-boyle6397]

Great explanation. Thank you.

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@blockshift758]

Nice quick and simple other videos i looked at said nothing

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Glad to hear that!

[@mind_ctrl-i3q]

this was a easy presentation to follow, very simple and helpful

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Great to hear!

[@ahmedhassen2004]

very helpful

[@duncancoolidge4041]

Thanks!

[@kevinantony6]

Thanks It’s working very fast streaming no delay

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Glad to hear that

[@gr8vijay]

Thanks. Able to connect to my samba share.

[@yipx8910]

Great instructions. Please consider explaining how to share the same USB device in Linux. Keep up sharing your knowledge.

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Thanks, will do! Thanks for the suggestion!

[@andrewatherton2525]

Hi,I have an android version 7 phone and I have a router with a USB thumb drive connected to it,it's not on my own wireless network so it's on its own.Android is based on Linux I think,so using my phone I see the standalone router and connect to it but I don't see files or a folder with the usb files.Can you telle what I have to do to my phone to see the usb files and play music or use files on my phone.Any help or advice welcome.Thanks for the videos and advice.

[@waqasmir76]

Thank you sir

[@balbutie]

Thank you

[@repairstudio4940]

Liked and subbed thank you!

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Thanks for the sub!

[@tinytinybooy]

Thank you for the useful video! Would this USB driver be accessible from an iPhone as well? I would like to configure it to backup photos from my phone :)

[@atulmits]

Wao, kind of complete reference video..

[@agnaagna3424]

And thank you for this great tutorial

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

You're very welcome!

[@judithchandler9775]

thanks for the help I could not work it out [:

[@Lucy-gd1zm]

Thank you for sharing

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

My pleasure

[@averykristian]

very nice guide, thank you. worked wonders. the part i was confused about is that you do the \\(ipaddress) part

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Glad it helped!

[@averykristian]

@@KnowledgeSharingTech one thing i'm confused about, and maybe someone here knows better. I want to back up one of my wifes drive to a folder on my network drive. I can connect the drive but windows 11 doesn't seem to have hte same functionality as windows 10 does. It tries to force onedrive cloud saving. I don't want that. what do I do, i want to save a physical copy to my driave on the network

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

@@averykristian Do this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gpfUgKeAhN9gla8

[@OH8STN]

Outstanding video

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Glad you think so!

[@DivineMisterAdVentures]

Well, that was pretty darn Super! That is the missing link to a simple NAS system for less than $99.99 for sure. Now I hope I can get my phone hotspot to connect to the Router somehow. Do you have a video for that??

[@505nmgypsygurl]

Please let me know how to connect usb hard drive to router to store/back up. Set as network storage. Thx

[@jpal754]

great video, very easy to follow. thanks. can you use the drive without a internet connection?

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Welcome! Yes you can!

[@Jonacadia]

Would this work with multiple external hdds on raid 5 ?

[@SenthilKumar-se1xs]

thanks for your help but i have a doubt, should we keep our moniter or laptop on always for this

[@toplicadjordjevic9948]

Thank you,

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Welcome

[@MrTr3D]

Excellent video. Very easy to understand and follow. No assumptions of what need to be done. Thanks.

[@sebivisa]

If my ISP's ONT has a USB port but I use my personal router because it's faster and has better Wi-Fi coverage, will the USB functionality still work if I'm not directly connected to the ISP's ONT?

[@user-jm9iw6mm9o]

Thanks

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

No problem

[@EddieRamer]

Thank you for making this video. It was helpful. Do you know if there is a way to remove the need for individual user logins? I'd like to give each Media player in the house access to all files. I'm also using DLink.

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

For media players, it's better to activate the media server option like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qISTkKmlfcSmsJo

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

How to use your router as a Media Server: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qISTkKmlfcSmsJo

[@sailajarvr2541]

Thankyou

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

You’re welcome 😊

[@Pterocarpous]

Excellent tutorial, Thank You. With modern mobile phones no longer supporting wired connecting to a computer, this is a great work around for local network file sharing and backups.

[@linkz6153]

Hello sir great video but I have a Linksys router and Mac 🖥 computer it does not connect please let me know how

[@cchongchannel8943]

Thanks. Can I access the files from anywhere in the world (as long as I have WIFI or mobile data access) or I can only access them within the same network of my home?

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

As shown, it can be accessed from local network only. To access it from outside, you need to enable VPN on your router like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHLEhGR-ZtSBaLc

[@vangohsk]

If I have a mNAS external HDD which also comes with a network port, should I connect it to the Optical Network Router or the mesh router? If I want to connectvit via USB port or network cable? TIA!

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Connect it to the main router

[@poncEffectgaming]

can this be ok on a adroid tv?? if not do you have video or tutorial for android phone or adroid tv

[@aryamaankundu4831]

Thanks this was extremely helpful. However if you ever remake the video could please add the part where you might have to add the smb files to windows?? I was unable to use my drive until i figured out i had to download and install the SMB protocol on windows.

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Is this the video you wanted? kzbin.info/www/bejne/ineooXiprbanibc

[@bingbang9643]

Thanks for your videos! .... I've been searching about accessing a NAS wirelessly for video editing. (their answer is right away "why would you do that?) The thing is I have a NAS directly plugged with LAN cable to my main editing PC, (I get 120 MB/s enough for my videos) but I want to also edit from my laptop without cables. I'm planning to get a Dual-Band Wi-Fi Router hoping I can configure it as a switch and also use my laptop thru WIFI to access files/etc. But I'm not sure if the speed will be enough for editing. I'll be happy with 100MB/s (gigabyte speed) over wifi. -- Modern routers offer 1300 mbps so in theory should be enough. Would the router work as a switch??? Would WI-Fi give me at least 100 MB/s speeds? do I make any sense? --- Thanks a lot.

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Hello and thank you for your message. The router I used in this video (Dir-2640) is basic and even if the drive is plugged in its 3.0 port, the speeds will never be greater then 20-30 MB/s (Even with an SSD). That being said, other mid to high end routers might be able to go to more then 100MB/s, just make sure to ask the manufacturer the question before buying one because this is not always mentioned in the documentation. Other important thing to consider is the maximum Hard Drive volume supported by the router. I had to ask D-Link to get the answer and they said that mine supports up to 4TB, so if you have a larger drive, make sure it is supported.

[@Jeremy-vf7su]

Is there a way to auto back up photos from an iPhone using a method like this?

[@turbodog6729]

Does a different user need to be setup for each pc on the network that will access the network drive?

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

No

[@Harish-ou4dy]

thank you for the video. does this method allow to access from other network outside the wifi signal of the router? can I put IP address of router from anywhere and access the files?

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

No, it is only for the local network

[@Harish-ou4dy]

@@KnowledgeSharingTech thanks... I happen to find other material which claim to be working remotely.

[@akhilgeorge7681]

@@Harish-ou4dy can you share the link of that video here please..

[@user-kj3xn4jk2g]

did you make a video for the 2 other usages ?

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

I made one for Media Server: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qISTkKmlfcSmsJo

[@AADJYT]

Great video! My router only has Ethernet ports. Would this still be possible say if I got a USB to Ethernet adapter so I could connect my hard drive to the router?

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

I don't think so

[@carldrogo9492]

I actually think that that is possible.

[@adjaoudboudjema]

Thank you for this tuto, plz how I can share an external hard drive on a router without USB just RJ 45, thanks

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

You can put it in a NAS enclosure

[@johnchiluiza2841]

Great video, can you use external SSD? Instead of a thumb drive.

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Of course

[@michaela51]

How do I do this with at&t

[@HomamAlghorani]

any other routers that supports SAMBA more friendly to budget?

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Try this one: amzn.to/3wxXIeG . I didn't test it though

[@XIchighostX]

Can you open a picture from a file.. or you have to take it out of the folder first?

[@darrinreed9675]

Does this work the same if I have a mac? I have a windows laptop and a mac desktop that I need to share files between.

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

It works, here's how to connect to the share from macOS: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5qQnJShpNCEbZo

[@brewzonekeeone5724]

Interesting. Does anyone know: - would it make sense to have large working files (e.g. psd) on that router drive to be able to work on them from any computer on the network? - if yes to the previous question, do you think performance would be majorly impacted? - and would that eat into your data plan if you have one (even though you're not going out on the internet)? It should be ok if you're on wi fi correct? Just curious thanks.

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

What is the model of your router? Some routers have fast USB sharing and others don't. If you have a fast one, then yes, large files are ok to share them on it. The performance won't be as a local drive though. The traffic is local so it won't consume internet

[@brewzonekeeone5724]

@@KnowledgeSharingTech These things are great to know. Thanks KST 👍

[@niceguy1775]

Can I access the same thumb drive from remote location means from other network, when connected via dynamic IP connection?🤔🤔🤔

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Yes, do this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHLEhGR-ZtSBaLc

[@markdizon3378]

What samba version is this?

[@uuusa7]

Any video of you help me to create new thing ,now i have Network Driver. Thanks

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Thank you for being a faithful follower of my channel. Any suggestion is welcome

[@user-cq5ql7yu3s]

Please let me know if you can see videos from the Mapped drives??? For me the files needs to be downloaded to the local computer to watch. Streaming of video is not working for me. Please check and let me know. I am using windows 10+ Asus 68U

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

For videos, do this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qISTkKmlfcSmsJo

[@priyeshchheda6684]

Can we do same for our Android phone to backup the photos and video files?

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Look for an App that can access SMB shares.

[@prashantcharya8520]

What is the max capacity of the Hard drive that the Dlink 2640 router support?

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

2TB

[@Da-Sheek]

Nice Im connected now. Is there any way to access it from a different location/wifi network?

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Yes. If your router supports OpenVPN server, do this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJDQqK2Mo7hqepI If your router supports L2TP, do this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oHLEhGR-ZtSBaLc

[@Da-Sheek]

@@KnowledgeSharingTech Thanks for sharing the knowledge!😄

[@rdguezc]

Thanks again for this video. I have a problem with your instructions at minute 3:38. I have a Huawei DN8245v modem.I have created the user, I have enabled the file sharing, but when I type the adress of my router (\\192.168....) in the explorer window, I get an error window: "Windows cannot access to \\192...". If I hit "diagnose", it tells me that: The remote computer or device does not accept the connection. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Try this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/ineooXiprbanibc

[@rdguezc]

@@KnowledgeSharingTech Thank you for your answer! I followed the instructions and finally was able to connect to the USB device. However, if it helps anyone else, in my case the only way to connect was to disable the option to authenticate the user from the router. I didn't like it at all, but it worked and now I can access my files from my computers. Thanks a lot.

[@enriquesanders]

@@KnowledgeSharingTech I have the same problem of that user. And if I map it I can see it if the samba is accepting guests. If I turn that off to use users, windows won’t accept my user/password. It asks me to enter it twice and then says it cannot access it.

[@agnaagna3424]

Is it secure to share family files or folder using this method

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

As long as your router is properly secured, this method is secure for the outside connexions. For inside your network, most routers still use unfortunately SMB v1 which is not so secure. Also, don't forget that everyone with physical access to the router can simply unplug the drive and take it. You can apply these recommendations to secure your router as much as possible and don't forget to create a user to access the share with a strong password: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rZnCfXRtrst4n5Y

[@EhsanShahrjerdy]

Hi, thanks for video... I can't see content of my hard extenal with 3 partion... Just read sda1 in disk name choose...i cant give permition to some one can see other partition...just sda1 show in disk name...otherwise i have 4 disk name Sda1....4

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Depending on your router, you need to share each partition

[@PiyushNikam]

What are your transfer speeds when 1) HDD directly connected to PC 2) HDD connected to router connected to PC via LAN cable?

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

The HDD transfer rates when connected to the router is about 23MB/s even if I put it in the USB 3.0 and even if the HDD is faster then that when connected directly to the PC

[@PiyushNikam]

@@KnowledgeSharingTech can you please tell me what may be the possible reasons for this slow speeds?

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

@@PiyushNikam I think it depends on the router

[@The_secret_talks]

I have tried it works but there is some issue. It is available in first pc where u acess this usn. When i try from another is give error. And MacBook also is not worki. But i using TP-Link Archer AC1750, that dont have samba feature

[@friendwithin]

Thank you for the video. I have turned on USB sharing in my router admin settings, but there is nowhere for me to add a user. Do you know how I can fix this as I can't get permission to write to the USB drive from my laptop.

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

What's the make and model of your router?

[@friendwithin]

@@KnowledgeSharingTech I think it's Vodafone Wifi Hub THD3000 which comes from my internet provider.

[@Rushland]

If I already have files in the hard drive. do I have to delete them in order to start this process?

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

No unless the Hard Drive has an unsupported File System. You have to check your router's documentation to see. Usually all the major File Systems are supported: Fat, Fat32, exFat, NTFS,...

[@RYtbe1]

Hi KST, can u pls let me know how to access the folder from outside network

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

If you have an Asus router, do this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eYCZZ6R-hr2HedE Otherwise, enable VPN on the router: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYiaZnV-lrWIoKc

[@RYtbe1]

@@KnowledgeSharingTech i saw the video. Looks like we have to connect to home network via an active computer in home network. My question is. Is it possible to use the storage device that is directly connected to router as cloud storage. Like NAS. Without keeping any laptop/desktop active in home network. So that i can use this storage device as an Internet accessible storage device, an alternative to Google drive.

[@thenthusiast]

Can I stream my media using this method?

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

For media streaming, use this method: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qISTkKmlfcSmsJo

[@andrewatherton2525]

Hi,does a router need to be plugged into internet to share files on a hard drive that's connected to that routers usb port?what it is,I have a spare router and it has a usb port,I don't connect that router to my internet.I would like to know if I could connect a hard drive to it and use my phone to view files on the other hard drive.Thanks

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Yes you can

[@andrewatherton2525]

Thanks for replying,I will try and set it up.

[@purnendudas5374]

Can we add a print server on this External Drive? If yes, how please explain.

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

No, I am afraid it is not possible with this router model. I reached out to D-Link and they replied as to this is not supported.

[@karakaplan2383]

0:23 hi, could you please explain using it as a sftp server?

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Will do, stay tuned

[@karakaplan2383]

​@@KnowledgeSharingTech thanks. I need it because my server management (plesk) allows free auto backups only at sftp. Others like Dropbox are all paid.

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

@@karakaplan2383 You should know that the majority of routers have support for FTP only and not SFTP. IMO this is not an issue because you are using it on your home network

[@karakaplan2383]

​@@KnowledgeSharingTech I can choose a router if you have any advice. Because I need a router. Is it possible also FTPS not only SFTP ? Will the planned FTPS server be accessible from outside the home network like another country?

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

@@karakaplan2383 I don't think home routers have secure FTP whether FTPS or SFTP. I know mine doesn't have it. I don't know about other brands though

[@ADfamily81]

can I access this network share on a mac?

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Yes, here's how: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pmGxnZ-ffNebrtE

[@NeonblueIndustries]

I wish the settinsg on my router was like yours.

[@garrysingh3337]

I want to be able to view/read videos and files from external hard drive in my ipad and Android phone. Which router can I to buy for good speed? Videos should play smoothly at 2x. Any hard drive and own drive can work with the router I believe.

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

The D-Link AC2600 that I am using is very good: amzn.to/3fuSkmK

[@garrysingh3337]

@@KnowledgeSharingTech with this I can access my hard drive over wifi? Then I can see a new drive in Finder app on iPad or what?

[@MrFlasailor]

This sounds good but I want to set it up as server for Video Files

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Stay tuned, I will be releasing a video soon on how to use it as a media server.

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qISTkKmlfcSmsJo

[@kobir80]

Is it accesible if we are outside

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Stay tuned, I will be publishing a video shortly on this

[@pmac7]

Good morning. I followed your steps, and on Windows 11, I have to enable SMB 1.0 for this to work. I managed to enter the log in information, but it shows that "This folder is empty". What do I need to do?

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

You might be sharing an empty partition

[@pmac7]

ok thanks. I gave up. I could not get it to work. I just formatted it to NTFS - it is a crucial x8 2TB SSD@@KnowledgeSharingTech

[@RenceKaiGarcia]

Hi sir. Does not work for me. Do i need to do something in the main router?

[@mikevi33023]

ok, my router C4000LZ has no usb setting in the device webpage, manual says it is auto detected. and when I try to connect to it, connection is refused anyone figure this out?

[@dylanvipond1047]

Will this work for a Mac?

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Yes, take a look at this video that I will be releasing soon: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q5qQnJShpNCEbZo

[@haseeb_sani]

Can use external hard disk 24×7 on router?

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Yes

[@atlantic_love]

You'll likely not want to do that, though, because of heat.

[@federicomilano5272]

HI! If i connect to “network neighborhood” i see only MiniDLNA status and no other data on disc. Why? Thank you very much.

[@KnowledgeSharingTech]

Did you enable Network discovery in Windows?

[@federicomilano5272]

@@KnowledgeSharingTech yes