How Do I Stop Microsoft Remote Desktop from Disconnecting?

Microsoft Remote Desktop is a powerful tool that allows users to connect to a remote PC or virtual machine, enabling access to files, applications, and settings from anywhere. It is particularly useful for professionals who need to access their work systems remotely or for IT administrators managing multiple machines. However, despite its reliability, users often experience disconnections or interruptions in their sessions. If you’ve encountered this issue, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are several ways to resolve the problem and maintain a stable connection.

In this article, we’ll explore the common reasons for disconnections and provide a variety of solutions to help keep your Microsoft Remote Desktop sessions uninterrupted.

1. Check Your Network Connection

The most common cause of Remote Desktop disconnections is an unstable or slow network connection. If your internet or Wi-Fi connection is unreliable, remote desktops can easily disconnect due to latency or packet loss.

How to Fix It:

  • Check Network Speed: Use an internet speed test tool to ensure that your connection is fast enough for remote sessions. Ideally, you want 1 Mbps upload and download speed for smooth remote desktop experiences.
  • Switch to a Wired Connection: Wi-Fi connections are more prone to interference and signal loss. If possible, connect your computer to the internet using an Ethernet cable. This will improve stability and decrease latency.
  • Restart Your Router: If your internet connection is slow or intermittent, restart your router to clear up any potential issues with your connection.
  • Use a VPN: If you are working remotely, using a VPN to connect to the company network might help establish a more reliable and secure connection.

2. Modify Power Settings on Your Computer

Power-saving settings on your local or remote machine can interfere with Remote Desktop sessions. If the computer goes into sleep or hibernation mode, it can automatically disconnect the session.

How to Fix It:

  • Adjust Power Settings on the Host Machine: On the machine you are connecting to (the host), ensure that it’s not set to sleep or hibernate after a period of inactivity. To adjust these settings:

    1. Open the Control Panel.
    2. Navigate to Power Options.
    3. Choose Change plan settings next to your current power plan.
    4. Set Put the computer to sleep to Never.
    5. Ensure the Turn off hard disk setting is set to Never as well.

  • Adjust Power Settings on the Remote Machine: The computer you're using to connect (the client) should also be set to prevent sleep or hibernation while running a remote session. Follow the same steps to modify power settings on this machine.

3. Change the RDP Settings

Microsoft Remote Desktop has several configuration options that can influence connection stability. Incorrect settings may cause the session to time out or disconnect unexpectedly.

How to Fix It:

  • Set Remote Desktop Timeout Settings: Remote Desktop has built-in timeout settings that can disconnect sessions after a certain period of inactivity. To disable these timeouts, modify the settings on the server machine by following these steps:

    1. Open the Group Policy Editor by typing gpedit.msc in the Start menu and pressing Enter.
    2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Session Time Limits.
    3. Look for settings such as Set time limit for active but idle Remote Desktop Services sessions and Set time limit for disconnected sessions. Set these to Never or increase the time as necessary.

  • Adjust the Network Level Authentication (NLA): Enabling NLA can provide more secure connections, but if not configured properly, it may cause frequent disconnects. Disable or reconfigure NLA if you’re encountering connection issues.

    1. Open Remote Desktop Connection.
    2. Click Show Options > Advanced tab > Settings.
    3. Check if Use Network Level Authentication (NLA) is selected and experiment with disabling it to see if it improves stability.

4. Increase the Maximum Connections on the Remote Machine

By default, Microsoft Remote Desktop limits the number of simultaneous connections to a server or machine. If you’re encountering disconnects because too many users are trying to connect to the same host, increasing the number of concurrent connections can help.

How to Fix It:

  1. Open the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).
  2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Connections.
  3. Look for the setting Limit number of connections and set it to the desired value.
  4. Adjust any other session-related limits to fit your environment's needs.

5. Update Remote Desktop Client and Server

Outdated software can lead to bugs, compatibility issues, or poor performance. If your Remote Desktop client or the remote machine’s operating system is outdated, it may cause frequent disconnections.

How to Fix It:

  • Update Remote Desktop Client: Ensure you have the latest version of the Microsoft Remote Desktop application on your local machine. Updates often include performance improvements and bug fixes. Check for updates in the Microsoft Store or visit Microsoft’s website for the latest version.
  • Update Host Operating System: Ensure the host machine’s operating system is up to date. Microsoft frequently releases updates that address issues affecting Remote Desktop functionality. To check for updates, go to Settings > Update & Security on the host machine and install any available updates.

6. Check for Conflicting Software or Firewalls

Sometimes, security software like firewalls or antivirus programs can interfere with Remote Desktop connections by blocking the necessary ports or protocols.

How to Fix It:

  • Disable Antivirus or Firewall Temporarily: Temporarily disable any firewall or antivirus software on both the client and host machines to test if they are causing the disconnects. If disabling them resolves the issue, you’ll need to configure the software to allow Remote Desktop traffic.
  • Allow RDP through the Windows Firewall: Make sure the firewall is not blocking Remote Desktop. In Windows, open the Control Panel, go to Windows Defender Firewall, and select Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall. Ensure Remote Desktop is allowed on both public and private networks.

7. Use a Stable Remote Desktop Alternative

If none of the solutions work, consider switching to a third-party remote desktop tool. Applications like TeamViewer, AnyDesk, and Chrome Remote Desktop can provide more robust performance and better error handling in cases where Microsoft Remote Desktop fails to connect reliably.

These tools often offer features such as automatic reconnection, better compression for low-bandwidth environments, and fewer issues with network configurations.

Conclusion

Microsoft Remote Desktop is an excellent tool for remote work and system management, but it can be frustrating when you experience frequent disconnections. In most cases, network issues, power settings, or misconfigured RDP settings are to blame. By addressing these factors and optimizing your setup, you can minimize disconnections and ensure a stable, reliable connection.

If all else fails, updating software or using a different remote desktop solution can also offer a smoother experience. With the right approach, you can enjoy a seamless remote desktop experience with minimal interruptions.

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