Windows 11 Remote Desktop Not Working: 5 Ways to Fix it

Windows 11 includes a Remote Desktop Connection app which you can use to connect and work on another PC remotely. By doing so, you may utilize the remote PC you’re connected to on the desktop or laptop directly in front of you.

However, users have been reporting issues with connection. Most of the complaints are that the Remote Desktop is not working on Windows 11.

Knowing this feature’s importance, we have prepared this guide to help you fix this issue and regain your remote connectivity.

Why does Remote Desktop not work in Windows 11?

Remote Desktop connection errors often arise because of various configuration or network issues. These are some of the more probable causes for Remote Desktop connection errors in Windows 11:

• Remote Desktop isn’t enabled: The first thing to check if Windows 11 RDP is not working is if the feature is turned on for the host and client PCs. Enabling it on Settings and the Services app should fix this.
• Firewalls: Windows Defender Firewall, or others incorporated in third-party antivirus software, can block RDP connections. You need to check if Windows Defender Firewall is not blocking the feature to make it work.
• Faulty Windows update: If the Windows 11 Remote Desktop is not working after an update, the problem is most likely caused by the update. The solution here is to remove the problematic update or edit your registry.

How to fix Remote Desktop not working in Windows 11?

1. Edit your registry

1. Press the Windows key + R, type regedit, and click OK.
2. Follow the path below in the left pane:Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services\Client
3. Now, right-click the Client folder and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
4. Type fClientDisableUDP as the name of the new item.
5. Finally, double-click it, set its Value data to 1 and click the OK button.

If you started noticing that the Windows 11 Remote Desktop is not working after installing the 22H2 update, it is because the feature is trying to connect with UDP.

The solution here is to disable UDP by creating a new registry value.

2. Turn off UDP in Group Policy

1. Press the Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and click OK.
2. Navigate to the path below in the left pane:Computer Configuration > Administration Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Connection Client
3. Now, double-click Turn Off UDP On Client in the right pane.
4. Finally, tick the Enabled radio button and click OK.

This is another excellent solution if the Windows 11 Remote Desktop feature stops working after the 2022 update. With the above steps, the UDP client should be completely disabled and allow your PC to connect.

3. Make sure Remote Desktop is enabled

3.1. Enable Remote Desktop in Settings

1. First, click Start on the Taskbar and select the Settings option.
2. Click Remote Desktop on the System tab.
3. Then, toggle the switch for Remote Desktop forward to enable it.
4. Select the Confirm option on the dialog box that opens.

After enabling this, you will be able to use the Remote Desktop feature, and other PCs will also be able to access your PC remotely.

3.2. Check Remote Assistance is enabled in System Properties

NOTE

Make sure Remote Desktop is enabled on both the remote PC you’re trying to connect to and on the client. Note that you can’t enable that feature via Settings in Windows 11 Home. The remote host PC you’re trying to connect with must have Windows 11 Pro.

1. Open the search utility by clicking the magnifying glass button on Windows 11’s taskbar.
2. Type Control Panel within the search tool’s box.
3. Next, click the View drop-down menu’ and select the Category option.
4. Select System and Security in the Control Panel.
5. Then click Allow remote access.
6. Select the Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer checkbox if it’s unchecked.
7. Also, click the Allow remote connections to this computer setting radio button to select it.
8. Click Apply to save the new settings.
9. Then press the OK button to exit System Properties.

If the Windows 11 Remote Desktop is still not working after the first two solutions, you need to check if the feature is enabled. You might have mistakenly disabled it in the process of troubleshooting.

4. Check that Remote Desktop Services is enabled and running

1. Right-click the Start menu’s taskbar button and select Run to launch that accessory.
2. Type this Run command within the Open text box:services.msc
3. Select the OK option.
4. Then double-click Remote Desktop Services to bring up its properties window.
5. Select the Automatic option on the Startup type drop-down menu if the service is disabled.
6. Press the Apply button.
7. Now, click the Start button and select OK to exit the window.
8. Thereafter, repeat steps five to seven for the Remote Desktop Services UserMode Port Redirector service.

Another factor that can stop the Windows 11 Remote Desktop from working is if it is disabled in Services. You need the service to run and startup automatically to enjoy a smooth connection.

5. Allow Remote Desktop through Windows Defender Firewall

1. Press the Windows key + S, type firewall, and select Windows Defender Firewall.
2. Then click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall on the left side of the Control Panel.
3. Press the Change settings button.
   
4. Select the Private checkbox for Remote Desktop if it’s unchecked.
5. Thereafter, click OK to exit.

For the RDP feature to work, you must let it pass through your Firewall. Hence, if the Windows 11 Remote Desktop is working or responding on your PC, check if your Windows Defender Firewall is not blocking it.

We have come to the end of this detailed guide. We believe you now have everything to connect to your computer remotely from your comfort zone.

Similarly, check our excellent guide to get it working quickly if the Remote Desktop is greyed out on Windows 11.

Courtesy of Windows Report