This guide is here to help you troubleshoot and repair your Remote Desktop client Connection, so you can get back to work or play without interruption.
To address these issues, here are some methods to repair your remote desktop client:
- Simple Restart
- Check Network Connectivity
- Verify Remote Desktop Settings
- Repair or Reinstall Remote Desktop Client
- Repair Using Installer
- Reinstall Remote Desktop
As you read on, you’ll find steps to repair your Remote Desktop Client, including quick fixes, common troubleshooting tips, and instructions for reinstallation if needed. Follow these guidelines to resolve most RDC issues effectively.
How to repair Remote Desktop Client ?
Is your remote desktop connection acting up, leaving you stranded from your work files? Fear not! Here’s your comprehensive guide to repairing the Remote Desktop Client, complete with detailed steps for each method.
Before We Begin
First and foremost, try these initial troubleshooting steps:
- Restart Both Machines: to begin with, a simple restart can often clear temporary glitches. Therefore, reboot both your local computer and the remote computer you’re trying to access.
- Check Network Connectivity: Next, make sure both devices have a stable internet connection. Additionally, verify if they’re on the same network and if firewalls are blocking communication. As a further step, you can try temporarily disabling firewalls (with caution) to see if it resolves the issue.
Method 1: Verify Remote Desktop Settings
On the Remote Computer:
- Enable Remote Desktop: First of all, ensure Remote Desktop is enabled on the remote computer you want to access. Typically, this setting can usually be found in the system settings of the remote machine. However, the specific steps may vary depending on the operating system.
- Firewall Exceptions: Furthermore, check if Remote Desktop has exceptions in your firewall settings on both computers. As a result, this allows the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to communicate freely. For more information, you’ll need to consult your firewall software’s documentation for adding exceptions.
Also Check: How to schedule automatic reboots for Windows devices with Intune ?
Method 2: Repair via Programs and Features
If the initial steps don’t work, proceed with the following:
- Firstly, open the Control Panel on your Windows PC.
- Secondly, navigate to Programs > Programs and Features.
- Then, locate the Remote Desktop Client program and select Repair.
- Finally, a Windows Installer window will appear, asking for the RemoteDesktop.msi installer. Consequently, you’ll need to download the latest version of the Remote Desktop client installer and rename it to RemoteDesktop.msi. Subsequently, the repair operation will then proceed.
In most case, this method should resolve most issues with your remote desktop client.
Method 3: Repair or Reinstall Remote Desktop Client
Repair via Programs and Features:
- To begin, open the Control Panel on your Windows PC.
- Next, navigate to Programs > Programs and Features.
- Then, locate the Remote Desktop Client program and select Repair.
- Subsequently, a Windows Installer window will appear, asking for the RemoteDesktop.msi installer. Therefore, you’ll need to download the latest version of the Remote Desktop client installer and rename it to RemoteDesktop.msi. Afterwards, the repair operation will then proceed.
This method should resolve most issues with your remote desktop client
Repair the Client (For Windows App Store Version):
- Go to Settings: First, open the Windows Settings app (Start menu -> Settings).
- Find Apps: Next, navigate to “Apps” and then “Installed apps.”
- Locate Remote Desktop: Then, search for “Remote Desktop” in the app list.
- Advanced Options: After that, click on the three dots next to “Remote Desktop” and select “Advanced options.”
- Repair the App: Finally, click on “Repair” and follow the on-screen instructions.
Repair Using Installer (For All Windows Versions):
- Download Installer: Initially, downloa
- Run the Installer: Subsequently, run the downloaded installer and choose “Repair” when prompted. Consequently, this will attempt to fix any issues within the existing installation.
Reinstall Remote Desktop (If Repair Fails):
- Uninstall the App: Firstly, if repairing doesn’t work, consider a complete reinstall. Uninstall the Remote Desktop app (if applicable) using the method described in steps 1-3 of Repair the Client.
- Download Fresh Copy: Secondly, download a fresh copy of the Remote Desktop client installer from Microsoft’s website.
- Reinstall: Lastly, run the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall the app.
Advanced Troubleshooting
If the above methods don’t work, try changing RDP Version:
Change RDP Version:
- Open Remote Desktop Settings: To start, launch the Remote Desktop client on your local machine.
- Advanced Options: Then, click on “Show advanced settings.”
- Change RDP Version: Finally, in the “Connection settings” section, locate the “RDP version” dropdown menu. Subsequently, try connecting with a different RDP version from the available options.
Static IP Address (For Advanced Users):
- Configure Static IP: Setting a static IP address for the remote computer can improve connection stability, especially on local networks. However, this process involves configuring your network router and the remote computer’s network settings. Therefore, consult your network administrator for guidance on this step, as it can be complex for beginners.
If None of These Work
- As a last resort, if you’ve tried all these methods and still can’t connect, the problem might lie with the remote computer itself. In this case, consider contacting the remote computer’s administrator for further assistance. Consequently, they may need to check their firewall settings, ensure Remote Desktop is properly enabled, or troubleshoot other issues specific to that machine.
Also Check: How to enable Memory Integrity in Windows ?
How to install Remote Desktop Client ?
Installing the Remote Desktop Client is essential for enabling secure and efficient remote access to your computer.
Moreover, whether you’re setting up a new device or reinstalling the client, following the correct steps ensures a seamless connection experience.
In this section, we’ll walk you through the process of downloading and installing the Remote Desktop Client on various platforms.
Download the Fresh Installer:
- To begin, head over to the official Microsoft website.
- Next, scroll down to the “Download Remote Desktop Client for Windows” section.
- Then, download the appropriate installer file (32-bit or 64-bit) based on your system architecture.
Run the Installer and Reinstall:
- First, locate the downloaded installer file (usually named something like “RemoteDesktop_Setup.exe”).
- Next, double-click the file to launch the installer.
- Finally, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process. This might involve accepting license agreements and choosing installation options.
Restart Your Computer (Optional):
- Although not always necessary, a restart can ensure the changes take effect properly. Therefore, consider restarting your computer after installation.
Also Check: How to install SCCM Configuration Manager ?
Conclusion
Repairing your Remote Desktop Client doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Indeed, with the steps we’ve outlined, you’re now equipped to tackle common issues and get back to seamless remote access.
First and foremost, remember, simple solutions like restarting your devices or checking network connectivity can often resolve problems quickly.
However, if those don’t work, don’t hesitate to try more advanced methods like repairing or reinstalling the client. Additionally, keep in mind that maintaining up-to-date software and proper network settings are key to preventing future issues.
Nevertheless, if you’re still experiencing difficulties after trying these steps, reaching out to your IT support team or the remote computer’s administrator may be necessary.
Ultimately, with a little patience and troubleshooting, you’ll be back to efficient remote work in no time.
Reference:
Frequently Asked Question’s (FAQ’s)
Rebooting both your local and remote machines can often fix glitches. If that fails, try repairing the Remote Desktop Client app through Windows Settings (for App Store versions) or using the downloaded installer (all Windows versions). Reinstalling the client entirely is a last resort if repairs don’t work.
Check the basics first: restart both machines and ensure they’re on the same network. Next, verify Remote Desktop is enabled on the remote computer and firewalls allow RDP traffic. Still no luck? Try repairing the Remote Desktop Client app or reinstalling it as a last resort.
Unfortunately, there’s no built-in “reset” function for the Remote Desktop Client itself. However, you can achieve a similar effect by repairing the app. This repairs corrupted files within the client, potentially resolving connection issues. On Windows 10/11 with the App Store version, try “Repair” within app settings. For all Windows versions, download the installer and choose “Repair” during the process.
