M-Series MacBooks Unable to Print or Connect to DFS Shares

Summary

Certain Apple M-series MacBooks may experience issues connecting to DFS network shares or network printers due to iCloud Private Relay being enabled. Disabling Private Relay resolves the connectivity issue.

Body

Common Signs or Symptoms:

Certain Apple M-series MacBooks may experience issues connecting to DFS network shares or network printers due to iCloud Private Relay being enabled. Disabling Private Relay resolves the connectivity issue.

Users may experience one or more of the following:

  • Unable to connect to DFS network shares

  • Network printers appear offline or fail to print

  • Intermittent or inconsistent network access while on internal networks

  • No clear error message

Root Cause:
 
Private Relay alters network traffic routing and can interfere with access to internal resources such as DFS servers and network printers. This behavior is most commonly observed on M-series MacBooks.
 

Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Open System Settings

  2. Select [Apple ID] at the top

  3. Click iCloud

  4. Select Private Relay

  5. Toggle Private Relay to Off

  6. Restart the MacBook (recommended)

Additional Notes

  • Private Relay is designed for privacy on public networks and is not recommended on corporate or internal networks.

  • This setting can be re-enabled when off the internal network if desired.

  • If issues persist after disabling Private Relay, contact the Service Desk for further troubleshooting.

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Details

Details

Article ID: 1074
Created
Wed 1/28/26 12:59 PM
Modified
Thu 1/29/26 9:57 AM

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