The Remote Desktop Connection feature of Windows 11 Pro enables you to connect and work on different desktops remotely. This feature is useful for utilizing remote desktops and controlling them.  However, the feature may cause various issues, including connection errors. The Remote Desktop Connection not working in Windows 11 is a type of connection error that keeps you away from connecting with the remote desktops. This guide will discuss the reasons and possible solutions for not working issue of the Remote Desktop feature. So, let’s start the journey to resolve the remote desktop connection error of your Windows 11 Pro device;

4 Reasons For Remote Desktop Connection not Working in Windows 11

Various reasons can trigger windows 11 RDP issues on your device. The IT experts have marked two main reasons as the driving factor of this issue. One is the faulty update, and the other is Windows Defender Firewall. This Remote Desktop error could also be faced when you have disabled the related settings. Let’s have a look at the main reasons behind this issue;

Remote Access to The Server or Domain is not Enabled: You may encounter this Remote Desktop connection not working error when the feature is disabled on your device. If so, enabling it from your device settings will resolve the issue.

Remote Desktop Connection Blocked by Firewalls: The firewalls safeguard your computer machines against ever-0evolving threats. With this, they also have the notoriety of blocking the network and app connections. It is possible to encounter the RDP not working issue for the same reason.

Remote Computer Turned Off or Not Exist: When the remote computer is turned off or doesn’t exist on your device network, RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) can stop performing. You’ll encounter the same issue with a disabled Remote Desktop host or client devices.

Faulty Update: Updates help maintain the Operating System standard. But sometimes, they can lead you to encounter various issues, including the Remote Desktop error. If so, uninstalling the update will fix the Remote Desktop connection.

5 Fixes to Use For Windows 11 Remote Desktop is not Working

When you know the root cause of the issue, fixing and preventing the problem becomes more accessible. The Remote Desktop connection is not working on the Windows 11 is not any different from that. After knowing the reasons, it’s time to jump into the solutions to this issue. Here, we describe the solutions to this Remote Desktop-related issue; have a look at them:

1. Enable Remote Desktop Related Settings

If the Remote Desktop related settings are disabled or turned off, you may encounter an error message while connecting to the remote desktops. For this reason, checking the remote desktop-related setting is always necessary before changing other device components to resolve the errors.

Enable Remote Desktop

By default, the remote desktop remains disabled on your Windows 11-operated computer device. You have to enable it manually from the Device Settings. Follow the below instructions to enable Remote Desktop from device Settings;

• Press the Windows key and the I button simultaneously to open the device settings. Navigate to System Settings and scroll down on the right pane to find the Remote Desktop settings.

• Open the Remote Desktop Settings and Turn on the toggle beside it. This will enable the Remote Desktop capabilities of your machine.

Enable Remote Assistant

Enabling Remote Desktop alone can only do part of the job for you. You may face the exact Remote Desktop error when the Remote Assistant feature is disabled on your Windows 11-operated computer device. Follow the below instructions to enable Remote Assistant on your device;

• Press the Windows and the S key simultaneously to open the Windows Search Bar, type Control Panel there, and press enter to open the Control Panel component of your device.

• Once the Control Panel component is opened, click and open System and Security panel.

• Click the Allow remote access option beneath the System menu to open the System Properties pop-up for Remote assistance.

• Make sure that you are on the remote tab, and check the box inside the Remote assistance that says, Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer. Press Apply to save the changes you made.

Ensure that the Remote Desktop Service is Running in the Background

The Remote Desktop service and its UserMode Port Redirector control the Remote Desktop feature-related processes. It requires running on the background processes of your device to ensure the proper functioning of the feature. So, you must ensure the Remote Desktop-related services are running correctly in the background. To do so, you have to follow the below instructions;

• Press the Windows Key and R button simultaneously to open the Run Dialog Box, type services.msc, and press enter key to open the Services window.

• Scroll down and find the Remote Desktop Services option. Once you find it, right-click on it to see the context menu. Select Properties to open the Remote Desktop Service Properties window.

• Afterward, select Automatic from the Startup type dropdown menu and press the Apply button. Make sure that the service is running by pressing the Start button.

• Repeat the exact process with Remote Desktop Services UserMode Port Redirector service. This is usually located next to the Remote Desktop Services.

2. Bypass the Desktop Firewall

As mentioned before, the desktop firewall, alongside its usefulness, can make it harder to run correctly for other programs on your computer device. If you are facing the Remote Desktop error for Windows Defender Firewall, you need to bypass the firewall by following the instructions below;

• Press the Windows and the S key simultaneously to open the Windows Search Bar, type Firewall there, and then double-click on Allow an app through Windows firewall to open the Windows Defender Firewall’s allowed app sub-settings.

• First, click Change Settings, then find Remote Desktop and remote assistance in the Allowed apps and features list. Check in the private checkbox of them once you find them. Afterward, click OK to exit the page.

3. Make Changes in Registry

Making changes in the Registry can solve many errors, including the not working issue of your Remote Desktop feature. You can follow these Registry changes to resolve the issue;

• Press the Windows Key and R button simultaneously to open the Run Dialog Box, type regedit, and press enter key to open the Registry Editor. Paste the following Registry Box path and enter to navigate directly. You have to copy this path: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services\Client

• Right-click on the Client folder and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value to create a registry named fClientDisableUDP.

• Double-click on the newly created registry, change the Value data into “One” and click OK.

4. Turn Off UDP on Client

The User Diagram Protocol or UDP is a message-transferring protocol that allows you to transfer your messages to a large number of clients simultaneously. Also, this protocol can interfere with the Remote Desktop program, and this could lead you to encounter an error message. If so, you cannot help turning off the UDP on Client.

• Press the Windows Key and R button simultaneously to open the Run Dialog Box, type gpedit.msc, and press enter key to open the Local Group Policy Editor.

• Follow this path Computer Configuration > Administration Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Connection Client to find the Editor Settings. Right-click the Turn Off UDP on Client to see the context menu. Afterwards, click on edit.

• Clicking on edit will prompt a new edit window for Turn Off UDP on Client; check the mini circle beside the enabled option and press Apply to save the changes.

5. Uninstall the OS Updates

The faulty OS update can cause the Remote Desktop-related error and other issues. In this case, uninstalling the update could resolve the issue. Following instructions will help you to do so;

• Press the Windows key and the I button simultaneously to open the device settings. Navigate to System Settings and scroll through the left pane to find the Windows Update/ Update Settings. Once you find it, click on it to open the Update Settings page.

• Open Update History by clicking on it. The Uninstall Update settings are located at the bottom of the Update History. Once you find it, click on it to open it. You can uninstall the recent updates that are causing the issue on your device by finding them and pressing the Uninstall key beside them.

Conclusion

At this point, you have already hung the bell around the cat’s neck. Hope, one of the prescribed methods has helped you resolve the Remote Desktop Connection not Working in Windows 11 issue. That’s all for today, have a great day.