Random disconnects during RDP session

Question

I leave my Suface Pro on all the time and connect to it from my iMac using RDP, through a pair of Powerline adapters, when I want to use Windows-only software.
For some reason though, I get random disconnects from the Surface Pro when I'm in the running the machine from my iMac. It's happened quite a few times, but when I investigate the cause, I found that the IP address of the Surface Pro had changed.
A few days ago I was using RDP from the iMac with no issues, then went to the shed to to run a small project, came back into the house and couldn't connect to the Surfce Pro. Again, the IP Address had changd.

I'd not had a power cut or rebooted the router/modem and the wireless IP address of the Surface Pro hasn't changed (I use this when the laptop is sat next to my iMac, and not in the shed). Also, the IP address settings in the router admin page is set to "Always use this IP".
It happened again yesterday, so I contacted technical support for the Powerline adapters (TP-Link) and after testing, resetting and reconfiguring the wjhole lot - again - it worked perfectly. Until today.

The problem has only occurred since I made two changes, at about the same time. I installed a VPN then uninstalled it, and changed how the power is supplied to the shed. With the latter, the supply is from the same mains incomer but is spurred off from between the consumer side of the meter and the consumer unit itself.

Would/could either of these things cause the problem?

Thanks

Answer 1

Hello there,

Experiencing random disconnects during Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) sessions can be frustrating. There are several potential causes for this issue, ranging from network-related problems to configuration issues. Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the problem:

Network Stability: Unstable network connections are a common cause of RDP disconnects. Check if your network connection is stable by testing it with other applications or services. If you're using Wi-Fi, consider switching to a wired Ethernet connection for better stability.

Network Latency: High latency can lead to disconnects. Check your network's latency using tools like "ping" to see if there are significant delays between your client and the remote server.

Firewall and Antivirus: Firewalls and antivirus software can sometimes interfere with RDP connections. Temporarily disable your firewall or antivirus software to see if the disconnects persist. If the issue is resolved, you might need to configure exceptions or rules for RDP.

Network Congestion: Heavy network traffic or congestion can cause RDP disconnects. If you're on a shared network, other users' activities might impact your connection. Try connecting during periods of lower network usage.

Idle Timeout Settings: Check the idle timeout settings on both the client and server sides. If there's an idle timeout configured, the RDP session might disconnect after a certain period of inactivity.

Power Management: On some systems, power management settings can cause network adapters to turn off or enter a low-power mode, leading to disconnects. Make sure power-saving settings are configured appropriately for your network adapter.

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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Answer 2

Thank you for your suggestions, which I will check to see if I can improve the situation.

I am wondering if this could be related to the CNC machine that's connected to the Surface Pro via USB, though.

It might be coincidence, but the wired network seems to fail when the machine has been switched on or running for a short while. Is there a resource link between USB and network that could be affecting this?

Thanks