The main reason is often that the Remote Desktop feature is turned off on the host computer. Other possible reasons include wrong firewall settings, Network Discovery being turned off, or incorrect DNS server settings. In this article, we will discuss different ways to solve this error.
1. Turn On Network Discovery
When devices on a network can’t “see” each other, remote connections aren’t possible. Turning on Network Discovery lets your computer find and connect to other devices on the same network. This ensures that the Remote Desktop client can find and connect with the target PC.
2. Allow Port 3389 Through Firewall
Opening Port 3389 in the firewall ensures that Remote Desktop can work properly, as this port is specifically used for RDP connections. If the firewall blocks this port, connection requests will not work, even if Remote Desktop is set up correctly. Allowing this port removes the block, allowing the system to accept incoming remote connection requests.
3. Clear Custom DNS Servers
Custom DNS server settings can sometimes cause connection problems by incorrectly directing or failing to recognize the remote PC’s name. Clearing custom DNS servers and returning to the default settings will allow your system to correctly identify the remote PC’s name through your ISP’s DNS, which is usually more reliable for remote desktop connections.
