traditional remote connection works but remote desktop app doesn't

Question

I can use mstsc.exe to successfully administer a remote PC (by IP address). However, the downloaded remote desktop app will not connect, it reports...

You have been disconnected because another connection was made to the remote PC.

Error code: 0x516

Extended error code: 0x0

Activity ID: {d5f50a8e-41be-4414-b8c9-9c864eee0000}

This is a nonsense error message (I can assure you that no other connection has been attempted). Does anyone have an idea what might be the real reason?

This is Windows 11 Pro 22H2 to remote Windows 10 Pro 22H2. Both PCs have been rebooted several times and are up to date with Windows Update.

Remote connection has been permitted otherwise mstsc.exe wouldn't work OK. But just so you know, the following has been checked...

sysdm.cpl settings (all ticked and "Everyone" permitted)

firewall settings (inbound rules)

firewall settings (allowed apps)

services are running OK

I have another remote Windows 10 PC at the same site which responds to both mstsc and remote desktop app but cannot figure out what the difference is.

Thanks in advance for any help offered.

Answer 1

Hello there,

If you're experiencing a situation where a traditional remote connection works but a remote desktop app doesn't, there could be a few reasons for this discrepancy. Here are a few troubleshooting steps to help you identify and resolve the issue:

Network Configuration: Ensure that the necessary ports for Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) are open on the network firewall. By default, RDP uses TCP port 3389. If the remote desktop app uses a different port, make sure it is allowed through the firewall as well.

Remote Desktop Services: Verify that the Remote Desktop Services (RDS) role is installed and configured correctly on the target machine you are trying to connect to. Ensure that the Remote Desktop feature is enabled and that the appropriate user accounts have permission to connect remotely.

Remote Desktop App Settings: Check the settings of the remote desktop app you are using. Verify that you have entered the correct IP address or hostname of the target machine and that you have specified the correct port if it differs from the default. Also, confirm that you are using the appropriate authentication method (e.g., username and password or certificate).

Client-Side Firewall: If you are connecting from a client machine, make sure that the firewall on the client-side allows outgoing connections to the target machine's IP address and port.

Remote Desktop Protocol Version: Verify that the remote desktop app you are using supports the version of the Remote Desktop Protocol used by the target machine. Different versions of Windows may use different RDP versions, so ensure compatibility between the client and the target machine.

I used AI provided by ChatGPT to formulate part of this response. I have verified that the information is accurate before sharing it with you.

Hope this resolves your Query !!

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