Cannot Connect to Remote Desktop after Windows Update

Troubleshooting connectivity issues can be a daunting task, especially when you are unable to establish a remote desktop connection after a recent Windows update. In this article, we delve into the common causes behind this problem and explore effective solutions to regain seamless access to your remote desktop.

Check your firewall settings: After a Windows update, your firewall settings may have been changed, causing the remote desktop connection to be blocked. Make sure the necessary ports (usually 3389) are open for the remote desktop connection in your firewall settings.

Enable Remote Desktop and Adjust Firewall Settings

To enable Remote Desktop and adjust firewall settings after a Windows update, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “gpedit.msc” and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
3. In the Group Policy Editor window, navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Connections.
4. Double-click on “Allow users to connect remotely by using Remote Desktop Services” and set it to Enabled.
5. Click on Apply and then OK to save the changes.

Next, adjust the firewall settings:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Click on “Update & Security” and then “Windows Security“.
3. Click on “Firewall & network protection“.
4. Under “Domain network“, click on “Allow an app through firewall“.
5. Scroll down and make sure “Remote Desktop” is checked.
6. If it’s not checked, click on “Change settings” and check the box next to “Remote Desktop“.
7. Click on “OK” to save the changes.

These steps should help you enable Remote Desktop and adjust firewall settings to resolve any connection issues after a Windows update.

After a Windows update, ensure that both the local and remote desktops are running the same version of the operating system to avoid connection issues.

Clear DNS Cache and Modify Registry Editor

To clear the DNS cache and modify the Registry Editor, follow these steps:

1. Open the Command Prompt by pressing Win + R, typing cmd, and pressing Enter.
2. In the Command Prompt, type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter to clear the DNS cache.
3. Press Win + R again, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
4. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client.
5. Right-click on the Default key and select Delete to remove it.
6. Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

These steps should help resolve any connectivity issues with Remote Desktop after a Windows update.

Sometimes, a Windows update can change firewall settings, so check and update your firewall rules to allow remote desktop connections.

Check RDP Services and Network Properties

Verify RDP Services: Ensure that the Remote Desktop Services (RDS) are running and functioning correctly.
Check RDP Port: Confirm that the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) port (usually 3389) is open and not blocked by a firewall or other security measures.
Examine Network Properties: Review the network properties of both the local and remote machines to ensure they are properly configured.
Inspect Network Connectivity: Check the network connectivity between the client and the remote desktop server to ensure there are no issues or interruptions.
Verify Windows Update: Determine if any recent Windows updates have been installed and if they might have caused compatibility issues with the Remote Desktop feature.
Verify User Account Access: Confirm that the user account attempting to connect has the necessary permissions and access rights for remote desktop connections.
Restart RDP Services: Restart the Remote Desktop Services (RDS) to refresh their functionality and resolve any potential issues.
Reset RDP Configuration: Reset the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) configuration settings to default values and reconfigure if necessary.
Perform System Restore: Consider using the System Restore feature to revert the system to a previous state where remote desktop connectivity was working correctly.

powershell # Check if the Remote Desktop service is running $rdpService = Get-Service -Name TermService if ($rdpService.Status -ne 'Running') { Write-Host "Remote Desktop service is not running. Starting the service..." Start-Service -Name TermService }


# Check if the Windows Firewall allows Remote Desktop connections

$firewallRule = Get-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Remote Desktop*"

if (!$firewallRule.Enabled) {

    Write-Host "Remote Desktop firewall rule is disabled. Enabling the rule..."

    Set-NetFirewallRule -DisplayName "Remote Desktop*" -Enabled True

}
# Reset the network adapter

Write-Host "Resetting the network adapter..."

netsh interface set interface "Your Network Adapter Name" admin=disable

netsh interface set interface "Your Network Adapter Name" admin=enable
# Flush DNS cache

Write-Host "Flushing DNS cache..."

ipconfig /flushdns

# Restart the computer Write-Host "Restarting the computer..." Restart-Computer -Force

Note: Replace “Your Network Adapter Name” with the actual name of your network adapter. This script attempts to address some common issues that might arise after a Windows update and prevent remote desktop connections. However, it is crucial to understand that each situation can vary, and further troubleshooting might be required.

Revert Windows to Previous Version

If you’re unable to connect to Remote Desktop after a Windows update, you can try reverting Windows to a previous version. Here’s how:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “gpedit.msc” and click OK to open the Group Policy Editor.
3. In the editor, navigate to “Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Security“.
4. Look for the policy “Require user authentication for remote connections by using Network Level Authentication” and double-click it.
5. Select “Disabled” and click Apply, then OK.
6. Restart your computer.

Reverting to a previous Windows version can resolve connection issues caused by updates. Give it a try and see if it helps you regain access to Remote Desktop.

Resolve Common Problems with Remote Access

If you’re unable to connect to Remote Desktop after a Windows update, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try:

1. Check your network connection: Ensure that you have a stable internet connection and that you can access other websites.

2. Verify the remote computer is on: Make sure the host computer you’re trying to connect to is turned on and connected to the network.

3. Check firewall settings: Confirm that Windows Firewall or any other security software on the host computer is not blocking the Remote Desktop connection. Temporarily disable the firewall and test the connection.

4. Verify Remote Desktop is enabled: On the host computer, go to “System Properties” and navigate to the “Remote” tab. Ensure that the “Allow remote connections to this computer” option is selected.

5. Check user permissions: Ensure that the user account you’re using to connect has the necessary permissions to access the remote computer.

6. Verify RDP client version: Ensure that you’re using the latest version of the Remote Desktop client software. Upgrade to the latest version if necessary.

7. Restart the Remote Desktop service: Open the Services app and locate the “Remote Desktop Services” entry. Restart the service and try connecting again.

If you continue to experience issues, it may be helpful to consult Microsoft’s support page or reach out to their customer support for further assistance.

Tips for General RDP Troubleshooting

Ensure that the computer on which you are trying to establish a Remote Desktop connection is connected to the network.
Check if other devices on the network can connect to the remote desktop successfully.
If using Wi-Fi, verify that the connection is stable and not experiencing any interruptions.

Verify Remote Desktop is Enabled

Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Start Menu.
Select System and Security and then click on System.
Click on the Remote settings link located on the left side of the window.
Ensure that the Allow remote connections to this computer option is checked.
If not checked, click on the Allow remote connections to this computer option, and then click Apply and OK.

Check Firewall Settings

Open the Control Panel by searching for it in the Start Menu.
Select System and Security and then click on Windows Defender Firewall.
Click on Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall located on the left side of the window.
Ensure that Remote Desktop is allowed to pass through the firewall.
If Remote Desktop is not listed, click on Change settings and then click on Allow another app.
Locate and select mstsc.exe from the list and click Add, then click OK.

Restart Remote Desktop Services

Press Win+R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
Type services.msc and press Enter to open the Services window.
Scroll down and find Remote Desktop Services in the list, then right-click on it and select Restart.
Wait for the service to restart, and then try connecting to the remote desktop again.

Disable Antivirus and Firewall Temporarily

If you have third-party antivirus or firewall software installed, temporarily disable them.
Open the antivirus or firewall software and navigate to the settings.
Look for options to disable the antivirus or firewall temporarily.
Disable the antivirus or firewall software and try connecting to the remote desktop again.

Levi Kiek

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