How to Solve Remote Desktop Issues on Windows 11

Remote Desktop is a feature that allows you to access and control other computers remotely through the internet network. This feature is very useful for various purposes, such as working from home, providing technical assistance, or managing servers.

However, some Windows 11 users are experiencing issues with Remote Desktop after updating the operating system. This issue causes Remote Desktop to not connect or to disconnect unexpectedly.

In this article, we will explain what causes Remote Desktop issues on Windows 11 and how to solve them. We’ll also give you some tips to improve Remote Desktop performance and security. Keep reading this article until the end to find out more.

Remote Desktop

What Causes Remote Desktop Issues on Windows 11?

Before we understand how to solve Remote Desktop issues, it is important to know what factors can cause this problem. Some common reasons include:

  • Incorrect Network Configuration: Improper network configuration can be at the root of the problem. This includes incorrect firewall settings or changes to the router.
  • Incomplete System Update: If the Windows 11 22H2 update is not installed correctly, it may affect Remote Desktop functionality.
  • Outdated Device Drivers: Outdated hardware drivers or incompatible with Windows 11 22H2 can cause issues.
  • Application Compatibility Issues: Some third-party applications may not be compatible with Windows updates, which can interfere with Remote Desktop.

According to Microsoft, the Remote Desktop issue on Windows 11 was caused by a bug in the Remote Desktop client that made it only try UDP connections and not try TCP connections. UDP (User Datagram Protocol) and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) are two protocols used to send data over a network. UDP is faster but less reliable, whereas TCP is slower but more reliable.

UDP connections are typically used to send audio and video data that require high speeds, while TCP connections are used to send text data and commands that require high reliability. If a UDP connection fails or is blocked by the firewall, the Remote Desktop client should try a TCP connection as an alternative. However, due to the bug, the Remote Desktop client doesn’t do that and just keeps trying unsuccessful UDP connections.

How Do I Solve Remote Desktop Issues on Windows 11?

To solve the Remote Desktop problem on Windows 11, there are several solutions that you can try. Here are some of them:

Solution 1: Turn Off UDP Connection on Remote Desktop Client

The first solution you can try is to turn off UDP connections on the Remote Desktop client. This way, you’ll force the Remote Desktop client to use TCP-only connections, which will most likely work. To do this, you need to change the registry settings on the computer that you want to use to remotely access another computer. Here are the steps:

  1. Open “Run” by pressing (WIN + R) on your keyboard.
  2. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the “Registry Editor”.
  3. Inside the “Registry Editor”, navigate to the following location:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services\Client
  1. If you do not see the “Client” folder, right-click on the “Terminal Services” folder and select “New > Key”. Name the new folder “Client”.
  2. Right-click on the “Client” folder and select “New > DWORD (32-bit) Value”. Name the new value “fClientDisableUDP”.
  3. Double-click on the value “fClientDisableUDP” and change the data to “1”.
  4. Close the “Registry Editor” and restart your computer.

Solution 2: Update Remote Desktop Client and Server

The second solution you can try is to update the Remote Desktop client and server to the latest version. To do this, you need to check for Windows updates on the computer you want to use to remotely access another computer (client) and the computer you want to access remotely (server). Here are the steps:

  1. Open “Settings” by pressing (WIN + I) on your keyboard.
  2. Select “Windows Update” on the side bar and click “Check for updates” on the right panel.
  3. Wait for Windows to search for and download available updates. If there are updates for Remote Desktop, install those updates and restart your computer.
  4. Repeat the steps above on the other computer that you want to access remotely.

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Solution 3: Enable Network-Level Authentication on the Remote Desktop Server

The third solution you can try is to enable network level authentication on the Remote Desktop server. Network-level authentication is a security feature that requires users to enter a Windows username and password before they can view the Windows login screen on a remote computer. This feature can help prevent brute force attacks and improve Remote Desktop performance.

To enable network-level authentication on a Remote Desktop server, you need to change the system settings on the computer you want to access remotely. Here are the steps:

  1. Open “Settings” by pressing (WIN + I) on your keyboard.
  2. Select “System” on the sidebar and click “Remote Desktop” on the right panel.
  3. Turn on the switch for “Remote Desktop” if it is not already active.
  4. Click the drop-down button next to the switch and check the box for “Require devices to use Network Level Authentication (Recommended)”.
  5. Click “Confirm” on the window that appears and select Yes at the UAC prompt.
  6. Restart your computer.

How to Improve Remote Desktop Performance and Security?

In addition to troubleshooting Remote Desktop issues in Windows 11, there are a few things you can do to improve Remote Desktop performance and security. Here are some of them:

  • Make sure you have a stable and fast internet connection. A slow or unstable internet connection can cause Remote Desktop to slow down or disconnect.
  • Adjust the image and sound quality settings according to your needs. High picture and sound quality settings can improve the Remote Desktop experience, but can also consume more bandwidth and resources. You can adjust these settings by clicking the “Show Options” icon under the “Computer” box in the Remote Desktop client window, then selecting the “Experience” tab.
  • Use a VPN if you want to access remote computers from outside your local network. VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a service that can make your internet connection more secure and anonymous by encrypting your data and hiding your IP address4. A VPN can help you avoid firewall blocking, data eavesdropping, or hacker attacks when using Remote Desktop remotely.
  • Use a strong, different password for each Windows account you use for Remote Desktop. Strong and different passwords can help you protect your Windows account from brute force or phishing attacks that try to steal your personal information or important data. A strong password must have at least eight characters, including uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

Conclusion

Remote Desktop is a very useful feature for accessing and controlling other computers remotely through the internet network. However, some Windows 11 users are experiencing issues with Remote Desktop after updating their operating system to the version. This issue is caused by a bug in the Remote Desktop client that makes it only try UDP connections and not try TCP connections as an alternative.

To solve this problem, we have provided three solutions that you can try, namely turning off UDP connections on Remote Desktop clients, updating Remote Desktop clients and servers, and enabling network-level authentication on Remote Desktop servers. We’ve also provided some tips to improve Remote Desktop performance and security.

Hope this article is useful for those of you who are facing problems with Remote Desktop on Windows 11.

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