How to Fix Remote Desktop Connection? An Internal Error Has Occurred

Understanding the “An inward Error Has Occurred” Message

The “An internal error has occurred” message in Remote Desktop Connection is a generic error that doesn’t provide specific details about the underlying cause. It can occur when trying to initiate an RDC session, during an active session, or even sporadically while using RDC. The error may be caused by:

1. Network Connectivity Issues: Unstable or misconfigured network settings can prevent a stable RDC connection.
2. Group Policy Misconfigurations: Incorrect Group Policy settings can interfere with RDC.
3. Remote Desktop Services Problems: Issues with the Remote Desktop Services on either the client or server can trigger this error.
4. Outdated or Incorrect Certificates: Problems with certificates used in RDC can lead to connection failures.
5. Firewall or Security Software: Overly restrictive firewall settings or security software can block RDC connections.
6. DNS Problems: Domain Name System (DNS) issues can prevent the client from resolving the server’s IP address correctly.

How to Fix the “An Internal Error Has Occurred” in Remote Desktop Protocol Connection

Below are several methods to troubleshoot and fix the “An internal error has occurred” in RDC. These methods are ordered from the simplest to more advanced solutions.

Method 1: Restart Your Computer and Network Devices

Before diving into complex troubleshooting steps, it’s always a good idea to restart your computer, router, and modem. Sometimes, network-related issues can be resolved by simply rebooting these devices.

Method 2: Check Your Network Connection

Make sure that your network connection is stable & functioning correctly. Verify that both your local machine and the remote computer are connected to the internet and that there are no connectivity issues.

• Test Your Connection: You can test the connection by pinging the remote computer’s IP address or using network diagnostic tools to make sure that the network is stable.
• Switch Networks: If possible, try connecting to a different network to rule out issues with your current network setup.

Method 3: Adjust Remote Desktop Connection Settings

Tweaking the settings in the Remote Desktop Connection client can sometimes resolve this error.

1. Open Remote Desktop Connection: Press Windows + R, type mstsc, and press Enter.
2. Go to Advanced Settings: Click on the “Show Options” button, and then navigate to the “Experience” tab.
3. Disable Bitmap Caching: Uncheck the box for “Persistent bitmap caching.”
4. Reconnect: Try reconnecting to the remote computer and see if the error persists.

Method 4: Modify Group Policy Settings

Misconfigured Group Policy settings can cause RDC to fail. Adjusting these settings might fix the error.

1. Open Group Policy Editor: Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to Remote Desktop Protocol Settings: Go to Personal Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Remote Desktop Services -> Remote Desktop Session Host -> Connections.
3. Enable RDP Settings: Double-click “Allow users to connect remotely by using Remote Desktop Services” and set it to “Enabled.”
4. Remove Security Layer Requirements: Go to Personal Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Remote Desktop Services -> Remote Desktop Session Host -> Security. Double-click “Require use of specific security layer for remote (RDP) connections” and set it to “Not Configured.”
5. Apply Changes: Press “Apply” and then “OK.” Restart your computer to apply the changes.

Method 5: Disable Network Level Authentication (NLA)

Network Level Authentication (NLA) is a security feature in RDC, but it can sometimes cause connection issues. Disabling it might resolve the problem.

1. Access System Properties: Right-click on “This PC” or “Computer” on your desktop, and select “Properties.”
2. Go to Remote Settings: Click on “Remote settings” in the left sidebar.
3. Disable NLA: Under the “Remote Desktop Protocol” section, uncheck the box that says “Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop Protocol with Network Level Authentication (recommended).”
4. Apply and Test: Click “Apply” and “OK.” Try reconnecting to the remote computer.

Method 6: Configure DNS Settings

DNS issues can prevent RDC from correctly resolving the IP address of the remote computer. Adjusting your DNS settings might help.

1. Change DNS Server: Open the “Network and Sharing Center” and click on “Change adapter settings.”
2. Adjust Properties: Right-click on your active network connection and select “Properties.”
3. Configure IPv4: Highlight “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click “Properties.”
4. Set DNS Manually: Select “Use the following DNS server addresses” and enter
5. Google’s public DNS addresses: 8.8.8.8 for the preferred DNS server and 8.8.4.4 for the alternate DNS server.
6. Apply Changes: Click “OK” to save your changes and then restart your computer.

Method 7: Reset Remote Desktop Connection Configurations

Resetting the RDC configurations to their default settings can resolve issues caused by corrupt or misconfigured settings.

1. Open Command Prompt: Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
2. Run Command: In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter:

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   reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client" /f

3. Restart RDC: Close the Command Prompt and restart Remote Desktop Connection.

Method 8: Update or Reinstall Remote Desktop Client

If the RDC client is outdated or corrupted, updating or reinstalling it can fix the problem.

1. Check for Updates: Go to Settings -> Update & Security -> Windows Update & check for any available updates.
2. Reinstall RDC: If updating doesn’t help, you may need to uninstall and then reinstall the RDC client.

Method 9: Check for Conflicting Software

Sometimes, third-party security software, VPNs, or firewalls can interfere with RDC. Try disabling them temporarily to follow if they are causing the problem.

• Disable Firewall: Temporarily disable your firewall and attempt to connect again.
• Check VPN: If you’re using a VPN, disconnect from it and try the RDC connection without it.

Method 10: Investigate Event Viewer for More Clues

The Windows Event Viewer can provide more detailed information about the error, which can help in troubleshooting.

1. Open Event Viewer: Press Windows + R, type eventvwr, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to Logs: Go to Windows Logs -> Application or System and look for any error messages related to RDC.
3. Analyze the Logs: Review the logs to identify any patterns or specific issues that could be causing the error.

Conclusion

The “An internal error has occurred” message in Remote Desktop Connection can be frustrating, but it is often solvable with the right troubleshooting steps. By following the methods outlined in this guide, you should be able to identify and fix the root cause of the problem, allowing you to regain access to your remote desktop without further issues. Remember to try the simpler solutions first before moving on to more complex ones, and always ensure your system is up to date to prevent future occurrences of this error.