How do I adjust a black/blank screen on MacBook Pro using Windows Remote Desktop

Question

How do I adjust a black/blank screen on MacBook Pro using Windows Remote Desktop

Josh 0

I'm using Windows Remote Desktop, Version 11.2.2 and have it installed on my MacBook Pro. I was able to use it upon initial setup, both intranet and internet connections. As of lately, all I receive when I login is a blank/black screen, followed by being kicked off after about 10 seconds. I know the issue is not with the Windows computer, as I can log in from my iPhone and iPad. Is there a Mac setting that is preventing the Remote Desktop from being seen and used instead of a black screen now?

In addition, my iPad was working when I had a different internet connection; now it's not working unless I'm connected to the same internet as the Windows computer. Is there a setting for this as well?

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2 answers

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Answer 1

Josh 0

To Issue 1: I tried all of those and nothing worked. I still receive a black screen, about 10 seconds in and it disconnects. No change in resolutions are solving the issue either. I'm running the latest version of MacOS without upgrading to the MacOS 26.

Henry Mai 8,220 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-09-21T01:31:18.45+00:00
Thank you for trying those initial steps and providing the update. It is indeed frustrating when the usual fixes don't work.

The RDP client tries to use UDP for better performance, but if a firewall, router, or even a bug in the client prevents the UDP stream from working correctly, you will experience the exact black screen issue you're describing. By forcing the connection to use only TCP, we can often resolve this.

In the Microsoft Remote Desktop app, edit your saved PC connection.

Select the Connection tab (you may need to click "Show More" if it's not visible).

Uncheck the box for "Use UDP".

Save the change and try to connect again.

If disabling UDP doesn't work, the application's supporting files might be corrupted in a way that clearing the cache didn't fix. A clean reinstallation ensures all old settings are gone.

Quit the Microsoft Remote Desktop application completely.

Drag the Microsoft Remote Desktop app from your /Applications folder to the Trash.

Open Finder, click the Go menu at the top of the screen, hold down the Option (⌥) key, and select Library.

In the Library folder, navigate to the Containers folder.

Find the folder named com.microsoft.rdc.macos and drag it to the Trash.

Go back to the Library folder and navigate to Group Containers.

Find the folder named UBF8T346G9.com.microsoft.rdc and drag it to the Trash.

Empty the Trash and restart your Mac.

Reinstall Microsoft Remote Desktop from the App Store and set up your connection from scratch.
Josh 0 Reputation points

2025-09-21T03:07:22.5033333+00:00

Thank you for the additional help. I did the second option and I still have a black screen. I come up with an error code of 0x10b
Henry Mai 8,220 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-09-22T03:49:45.5566667+00:00
Hello Josh, Than you for your update. This error 0x10b is a connectivity error, which tells us the problem is not with the RDP client's display settings, but with the network connection being blocked or terminated unexpectedly.

Let's work through these possibilities.

Solution 1: Check for Network Interference (VPN, Proxy, Firewall)

Disable any VPN or Proxy: If you are running any VPN software (NordVPN, ExpressVPN, a corporate VPN, etc.) or have a proxy configured, please completely disable it and then try to connect again.

Temporarily Disable macOS Firewall:

Go to System Settings > Network > Firewall.

If the firewall is on, turn it off temporarily.

Try your RDP connection again.

Important: Remember to turn your firewall back on after testing, regardless of the result.

Solution 2: Temporarily Disable Network Level Authentication (NLA) on the Windows PC. This tests for a mismatch in security protocols between your Mac and the Windows PC.

On the Windows computer you are trying to connect to, open the Start Menu.

Type Allow remote access to your computer and open it.

In the "Remote Desktop" section, uncheck the box that says "Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication (recommended)".

Click Apply and OK.

Now, try to connect from your MacBook Pro again. If it works, it confirms an NLA issue. For security, you should re-enable this setting after your session and investigate NLA compatibility further.

Solution 3: Try the Microsoft Remote Desktop Beta. You can refer this document

Since a full reinstall of the stable version did not work, it's possible there is a bug or incompatibility with the current version and your macOS. The Beta version is a separate application with newer code that may have fixed the issue.

Answer 2

Hello Josh, I am Henry and I want to help you with this issue.

Issue 1: Black/Blank Screen on MacBook Pro

The black screen followed by disconnect, when other devices work, usually points to a client-side issue (your MacBook Pro) or a saved corrupted RDP connection setting.

Adjust RDP Display Settings:
- In Microsoft Remote Desktop (Mac), Edit your connection.
- Go to the Display tab:
- Try a lower resolution (e.g., 1024x768 or 1920x1080).
- Set Color Depth to 16-bit or 24-bit (not 32-bit).
- Uncheck "Use Retina display resolution" and "Use all monitors."
Clear RDP Cache/Credentials:
- Quit Microsoft Remote Desktop.
- Open Finder, press Cmd+Shift+G, and navigate to: ~/Library/Containers/com.microsoft.rdc.macos/Data/Library/Preferences/
- Delete any com.microsoft.rdc.macos.plist files.
- Open Keychain Access (Spotlight search) and delete any "Microsoft Remote Desktop" entries for your connection.
- Restart your MacBook Pro and create a new RDP connection from scratch.
Disable Hardware Acceleration (If needed):
- In your connection's Edit settings, go to Local Resources > More...
- Uncheck any options related to graphics acceleration if present.

Issue 2: iPad External Connection Problems (Internet vs. Intranet)

This is a network routing/firewall issue on the Windows computer's network, not an iPad setting.

Configure Router Port Forwarding:
- Access your router's admin interface at the Windows computer's location.
- Locate "Port Forwarding" or "Virtual Server" settings.
- Forward TCP port 3389 (or your custom RDP port) to the internal IP address of your Windows computer. Ensure the Windows PC has a static internal IP or DHCP reservation.
Verify External IP/DDNS:
- Confirm you are using the correct external (public) IP address or a Dynamic DNS (DDNS) hostname for the Windows computer's network when connecting from outside. Your public IP may have changed.
Windows Firewall:
- On the Windows computer, ensure its firewall allows incoming RDP connections on public network profiles.

Hope this points you in the right direction for troubleshooting.

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How do I adjust a black/blank screen on MacBook Pro using Windows Remote Desktop

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