The error ‘remote desktop can’t connect to the remote computer’ occurs due to various reasons that include wrong login credentials, connectivity issues, or the use of HTTP/UDP protocol.

Here at Bobcares, we have seen several such Windows-related errors as part of our Server Management Services for web hosts and online service providers.

Today we’ll take a look at the causes for this error and see the fix.

Why does the ‘remote desktop can’t connect to the remote computer’ error occur

This error occurs due to various reasons that include wrong login credentials, connectivity issues, or the use of HTTP/UDP protocol.

Moreover, there are some known causes for this error. They are:

• RDP not working after Windows Update
• Antivirus/Firewall issue
• Network Profile Issue

For instance, the error appears as below.

How we resolve the ‘remote desktop can’t connect to the remote computer’ error

Now let’s take a look at the different solutions provided by our Support Engineers to resolve this error message.

Solution 1: Change/Tweak Firewall Settings

If we are having any issue with the RDP then this is a must to do. Many times, the firewall will block some incoming and outgoing connections by default.

We need to allow the Remote Desktop feature if it is blocked or not allowed through Windows Firewall. Here are the steps we follow to do it.

1. First, we open Start Menu and type “Allow an app through Windows Firewall” without the quotes.
2. Next, we click on the first selection that comes in it. Alternatively, we navigate to Control Panel >> System and Security >> Windows Defender Firewall >> Allowed apps.
3. After that, we click on the Change Settings on the top right corner of the window that comes up.
4. There we will see a list of applications or features that have been allowed or not allowed in Windows Firewall.
5. We scroll down until we see Remote Desktop and check the checkbox in front of it (Private one).
6. Finally, we close the window and we are done with allowing Remote Desktop through Windows Firewall.

Solution 2: Allow Remote Desktop Connections if not allowed

Another point we check is whether the Remote Desktop connections are allowed in Windows or not. We follow the below steps to check it.

1. First, we type ‘Allow Remote Desktop Connections’ in Start Menu.
2. Then, we click on the first selection.
3. A window will appear. Then we scroll down until we see the heading Remote Desktop. Here we click on ‘Show settings’ in front of ‘Change settings to allow remote connections to this computer’.
4. We make sure the option ‘Allow Remote Assistance Connections to this Computer’ is checked. Finally, we click on Apply and then OK to close the window.

Solution 3: Reset Remote Desktop Credentials

Sometimes, we save the credentials for a specific remote computer. Then when we try to connect to that remote computer, then we will get an error because the credentials are not matching. It is because we have saved the Remote Desktop credentials and the other computer with whom we are connecting has different credentials.

In order to reset or remove RDP credentials in Windows, we follow the below steps.

1. First, we type Remote Desktop Connection in Start Menu.
2. Then we click on the first selection which is “Remote Desktop”.
3. After that, we type in the computer IP address. If there are any credentials saved for this specific computer, we will be given the option to either edit or delete
4. Finally, we click on delete to remove the credentials.

Solution 4: Changing Network Properties

In some cases, the error might be triggered due to the network that has been set up as Public. Here are the steps for changing it to private.

1. First, we press “Windows” + “I” to open settings.
2. Next, we click on the “Network and Internet” option and select “Status”.
3. After that, we click on the “Change Connection Properties” option.
4. Here we select the “Private” option.
5. Then we check to see if the issue persists.

Solution 5: Verify the status of RDP services

This error can occur if RDP services are not enabled either on the local or on the remote computer.

We check if the following services are running on both computers.

* Remote Desktop Services (TermService).
* Remote Desktop Services UserMode Port Redirector. Look for UmRdpService.

We cannot connect to a remote computer if the UmRdpService is disabled through a central Group Policy. So we start these services if we have admin privileges. Also, we reboot the machine after starting the service.

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Conclusion

In short, this error occurs for various reasons that include wrong login credentials, connectivity issues, or the use of HTTP/UDP protocol. Today, we saw the solution provided by our Support Engineers.