Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-19

How to Fix: network path not found error on creating schtasks

Network path not found error when creating scheduled task on local machine.

Quick Answer: Use the /ru and /rp options to specify remote user and password settings, even when executing the command locally.

The 'Network path was not found' error occurs when the Windows Task Scheduler is unable to locate the network location specified in the command. This issue affects users who are trying to create scheduled tasks on their local machines, but have remote connections set up.

This error can be frustrating as it prevents users from automating tasks and maintaining consistency across different locations. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to resolve this issue.

🛑 Root Causes of the Error

  • The primary cause of this error is that the network location specified in the command is not accessible or configured correctly on the remote machine. This could be due to a variety of reasons such as incorrect DNS settings, firewall rules blocking the connection, or the remote machine being offline.
  • Another possible cause is that the credentials used to connect to the remote machine are invalid or do not have the necessary permissions to access the network location.

🚀 How to Resolve This Issue

Using Remote User and Password Settings

  1. Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. This will ensure that you have the necessary privileges to execute the command.
  2. Step 2: Replace the username and password placeholders in the command with your actual credentials. You can do this by using the /ru and /rp options, which allow you to specify remote user and password settings respectively.
  3. Step 3: Double quote the computer name as it is a network location. This will ensure that Windows Task Scheduler can correctly locate the machine on the network.

Verifying Network Location Configuration

  1. Step 1: Check if the DNS settings and firewall rules are configured correctly to allow access to the remote machine.
  2. Step 2: Verify that the remote machine is online and accessible. You can do this by pinging the computer name from a different location on the network.

💡 Conclusion

To resolve the 'Network path was not found' error, you can try using remote user and password settings or verify the network location configuration. If neither of these methods work, it may be necessary to investigate further with your system administrator or IT department.

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