Common causes of this issue include the user’s system or network being unable to authenticate using NLA, the remote computer being unable to contact the necessary domain controller for authentication, outdated Windows versions, or misconfigurations in RDP settings. In this article, we will discuss solutions to solve this problem.
1. Disable NLA using Properties
Turning off Network Level Authentication (NLA) in System Properties can fix connection problems by allowing remote desktop access without needing NLA. This skips the extra authentication step that might be causing issues, especially if your device or network doesn’t fully support NLA. Note: Turning off NLA also makes the remote connection less secure, as it no longer checks the user before starting the session.
2. Disable NLA Using Registry
This issue can be resolved by disabling Network Level Authentication (NLA) through the Windows registry. When you edit specific registry keys, you’re instructing the system to skip the NLA requirement, allowing you to connect remotely even when the system can’t authenticate with the domain controller. This is useful in cases where outdated RDP clients or network issues cause the authentication failure.
3. Disable NLA Using PowerShell
Using PowerShell to disable Network Level Authentication (NLA) offers a quick and direct way to bypass the issue. By running specific commands like SetUserAuthenticationRequired(0), you change the system’s settings for remote desktop authentication. This removes the NLA requirement, allowing any RDP client, even those that do not support NLA, to connect. Here, the “Target-Machine-Name” is the name of the machine you are targeting.
In the example above, the name of the server is “member-server”.
4. Using Group Policy Editor
Addressing the NLA issue through Group Policy Editor changes how Remote Desktop handles user authentication. By turning off the NLA requirement, you allow connections without this security check, useful when network or domain issues cause authentication failures. This adjustment bypasses the NLA barrier, enabling remote sessions without typical NLA-related errors. Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Security
Note: If even after all these steps you are unable to connect, you can try removing the machine from your domain and then re-adding it. This will reinitialize all the configurations and get it right for you.
