Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)-based tools use RDP port 3389 by default.
To avoid firewall problems, ensure that the port your remote desktop software uses is open on any firewalls residing between client computers and the server they connect to. It's easy to dismiss the notion that a firewall could contribute to a remote desktop not working, but it's quite common. Some organizations configure their corporate firewall to block outbound RDP traffic, thereby preventing connectivity to remote systems. Likewise, you may discover the problem is unique to VPN traffic or a particular subnet.
In doing so, you might discover that the problem affects wireless connections but not wired ones. If you suspect the network might be to blame, try to narrow down the scope of the issue to find the root cause. The goal is to find out if the problem is specific to an individual client, the network or a terminal server/Windows server. The easiest way to diagnose this issue is through the process of elimination.įirst, try to establish a session from a client that has been able to successfully connect in the past. Network failureĪ lack of a valid communications path can prevent a client from connecting to a remote desktop session. There are many remote desktop connection problems that administrators may encounter, including network failure, Secure Sockets Layer certificate issues, authentication troubles and capacity limitations.Īs a desktop admin, you can prevent and solve common remote desktop problems by using these tips.