

Then try connecting again by computer name. Open a command prompt and type ipconfig /flushdns. In that event, you can try to flush the DNS cache on your computer. If that works, then the issue is due to some type of name resolution problem in DNS. If you’re attempting to connect via computer name, try connecting instead by IP address. The error message by itself doesn’t help much as it simply tells you to make sure the remote computer is turned on, connected, and that remote access is enabled ( Figure A). If you can’t connect, this is the most common error you’ll receive. Remote Desktop can’t connect to the remote computer. Now, here are a few common issues and possible remedies you can take. SEE: How to work from home: IT pro’s guidebook to telecommuting and remote work (TechRepublic Premium)įor the purposes of this article, I’ll assume that you’re trying to connect to a PC in your organization using a secure method, meaning through a VPN or a Remote Desktop Gateway.įirst, you may want to review some of our past articles on Microsoft’s RDC tool, including How to control a remote computer using Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection, How to configure a remote desktop connection in Windows, and How to use the Windows 10 Remote Desktop app for remote connections. If the problem resides with your account or within your organization, then your IT staff will typically have to step in, but there are certain steps you can take yourself. Maybe it’s not accepting your login credentials. Maybe the remote PC isn’t accessible or responding. However, if all is not working properly, you can easily run into different obstacles. Assuming all the components along the way are functioning correctly, then accessing a remote workstation or server should be a quick and simple process. Those of you now working from home may need to access and use key computers within your organization and for that, you might rely on Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) tool. For more info, visit our Terms of Use page. This may influence how and where their products appear on our site, but vendors cannot pay to influence the content of our reviews. We may be compensated by vendors who appear on this page through methods such as affiliate links or sponsored partnerships. Many technical issues with RDC require help from your IT staff, but you can troubleshoot certain ones on your own. How to troubleshoot problems with Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection
