Windows 11 remote desktop frequent disconnects?

Question

Windows 11 remote desktop frequent disconnects?

Boe Dillard 666

Hello,

I have a laptop and a workstation that I frequently remote to lots of different clients servers. Most of the servers are Win 2012 R2 and one 2016. All of the servers have the latest Microsoft weekly updates. I never had any issues with Windows 10 but I decided to go all in and really test Windows 11. I've managed to get around many of the issues with Windows 11 but the one I can't seem to figure out is remote desktop. I'm connecting to them through a point to point VPN via the servers' IP addresses. Nothing has changed with my hardware firewall. Nothing has changed with my computer equipment.

I did a fresh clean install of Windows 11 and for whatever reason on the servers I will get disconnected and it wants to reconnect on another session.

Anyone with this issue find a solution?

I've noticed if I remote to PCs at those same locations (usually running Windows 10) I don't experience that issue so I'm thinking there is a compatability with the older Windows OS and Windows 11 remote desktop. I'm hoping there is a work around for this.

JEEVESH AGARWAL 0 Reputation points

2023-05-08T02:32:20.7266667+00:00

Dear I have same problem pls help and share how can I solve it
CleoG 0 Reputation points

2024-12-05T13:46:25.46+00:00

I’ve run into something similar when I upgraded to Windows 11. The random disconnects were super annoying, and I ended up having to do a bit of trial and error to sort it out. Quick question: are you using the default Remote Desktop Client that comes with Windows 11, or have you tried any third-party tools for comparison?

From what you’re describing, it does sound like a compatibility hiccup between Win 11 RDP and those older server OS versions (especially 2012 R2). Just to test, you might want to try HelpWire—it’s free, and you can use it temporarily while you troubleshoot. It’s been a lifesaver for me when RDP was being stubborn.

Also, have you checked if there’s anything in the Event Viewer logs on either the client or server side when the disconnects happen? That might give a clue if it’s a timeout or something else.

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JEEVESH AGARWAL 0 Reputation points

2023-05-08T02:32:20.7266667+00:00

Dear I have same problem pls help and share how can I solve it
CleoG 0 Reputation points

2024-12-05T13:46:25.46+00:00

I’ve run into something similar when I upgraded to Windows 11. The random disconnects were super annoying, and I ended up having to do a bit of trial and error to sort it out. Quick question: are you using the default Remote Desktop Client that comes with Windows 11, or have you tried any third-party tools for comparison?

From what you’re describing, it does sound like a compatibility hiccup between Win 11 RDP and those older server OS versions (especially 2012 R2). Just to test, you might want to try HelpWire—it’s free, and you can use it temporarily while you troubleshoot. It’s been a lifesaver for me when RDP was being stubborn.

Also, have you checked if there’s anything in the Event Viewer logs on either the client or server side when the disconnects happen? That might give a clue if it’s a timeout or something else.

Answer 1

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Answer 2

What solved this for me, after scouring the Internet for solutions and trying everything I could, was this:

On Windows 10 or 11 press: "Win+X" to see a menu.

Choose "Device Manager". You see the Device Manager window.

Expand "Network adapters". You see a list of network devices.

Do this with each network device listed:

Right-click to see a menu
Choose "Properties" from the menu. You see a properties window.
IF there's no tab called "Power Management", click "Cancel" and move on to the next network device listed.
Click "Power Management". You see a check-box called "Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power"
Remove the check-mark from that check-box.
Click "OK"
Repeat for the next network device listed.

Expand "Universal Serial Bus controllers"

For each device listed, repeat the above instructions to remove checkmarks from "Allow the computer to turn off..."

Scott Buehler 0 Reputation points

2023-05-25T12:42:19.2433333+00:00

This appears to have solved the problem for me. Thank you!

edit: Scratch that!

It worked all day and then this afternoon I started getting disconnected again. I really don't care for Win11 :(

Answer 3

Hello there,

To work around this issue, you can enable the Configure keep-alive connection interval policy in the Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Remote Desktop Services\Remote Desktop Session Host\Connections group policy folder. If you enable this policy, you must enter a keep-alive interval. The keep-alive interval determines how often, in minutes, the server checks the session state.

Please check on the remote PC if there is group policy to set the RDP transport protocols as "Use only TCP". If so, please change it to "Use both UDP and TCP".
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Remote Desktop Services\Remote Desktop Session Host\Connections

Here are some links to help you out in this. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/remote/troubleshoot-remote-desktop-disconnected-errors

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/remote/remote-desktop-services/troubleshoot/rdp-client-disconnects-cannot-reconnect-same-session

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/230783/rdp-constantly-reconnecting.html

I hope this information helps. If you have any questions please let me know and I will be glad to help you out.

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--If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept it as an answer--

Boe Dillard 666 Reputation points

2022-09-26T15:14:07.467+00:00

Wouldn't it keep the session alive just as long as it did with Win 10 or is this something I should change on the Win 11 PC that I am using to remote to the server?
mtr renzi 0 Reputation points

2023-11-21T03:34:36.1833333+00:00

I have been struggling with this rdp issue ever since I upgraded from win10 to win11 (pro) - now on 23h2. It's so bad I had to install vnc just to get around the problem. It looks like Microsoft, a nearly trillion dollar company, does not know the cause and will not dedicate resources to fix the issue. I feel like contacting my state's atty general's office to file a complaint as this affects my productivity as a software developer.

Answer 4

Tran Hung 5

What works for me is setup the GPO of Remote Desktop Service to run on TCP protocol only. It even sounds strange to me but it just works:

GP editor >Computer Configuration > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Connection Client > Turn off UDP on client = Enable.

Mine PC is on Windows 11 24H2 with latest update. Hope this helps.

Bill Niemeyer 0 Reputation points

2025-03-07T20:54:58.6733333+00:00

After days of searching for a fix - this did the trick. Thanks so much for posting.

Answer 5

Boe Dillard 666

Thanks

It didn't have that value so I created a dword entry for it. I stayed connected for about 3 minutes. I did some more testing and it seems to disconnect after about 60 seconds of me not using the mouse in the remote session. Then I tested that theory and that isn't it either. It seems completely random although I do think that tip definitely helps.

JimmySalian-2011 42,511 Reputation points

2022-09-24T20:03:33.087+00:00

Did you restarted your device after the registry key entry?

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Windows 11 remote desktop frequent disconnects?

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