How to Fix Your Credentials Did Not Work in Remote Desktop?

One common issue users encounter is the error message: “Your credentials did not work.” This error can be frustrating and prevent users from accessing their remote system. Fortunately, there are several systems you can use to troubleshoot and resolve this issue.

In this blog, we’ll go over various causes of the “Fix your credentials did not work in Remote Desktop” error and how to fix it.

What Does the “Your Credentials Did Not Work” Error Mean?

When you try to log in to a Remote Desktop session, your credentials (username and password) are sent to the remote computer for verification. The “Your credentials did not work” message indicates that the remote system has rejected your login attempt. This could happen for several reasons, including incorrect credentials, user permissions, network issues, or configuration problems on either the client or server side.

Common Causes of the Error

Before diving into the solutions, it’s important to understand the root causes behind the error. Some common causes include:

1. Incorrect username or password: The most obvious cause is typing the wrong username or password.
2. Password change: If the password was recently changed on the remote system, it might not have updated across the network or saved credentials.
3. Remote system settings: The settings on the remote machine might be incorrectly configured, such as a disabled Remote Desktop feature or the wrong security layer settings.
4. Credential caching: Sometimes, cached credentials from a previous session can interfere with the current login.
5. User permissions: The user might not have been granted permission to access the remote system.
6. Network issues: Network firewalls, IP address changes, or VPN configurations could be blocking the connection.

Step-by-Step Guide to Fix the “Your Credentials Did Not Work” Error

Let’s explore the most effective solutions for fixing this error:

1. Double-check the Username and Password

The first step is to ensure that you are entering the correct username & password. Pay special attention to:

• Caps Lock: Ensure that the Caps Lock is off/on according to the case of your password.
• Domain name: If you’re logging into a domain, make sure you’re entering the username in the correct format: domain\username or [email protected].

If the remote computer is part of a workgroup instead of a domain, try logging in using the remote computer’s local account credentials.

2. Ensure the Remote Desktop Feature is Enabled

For Remote Desktop to work, it must be enabled on the remote computer. You can verify this setting by following these steps on the remote machine:

1. Go to Settings > System > Remote Desktop.
2. Make sure the option labeled “Enable Remote Desktop” is turned on.
3. Check if your user account has been added to the list of authorized users. You can do this by clicking on Select users that can remotely access this PC.

3. Change the Network Level Authentication (NLA) Setting

Network Level Authentication (NLA) adds an extra layer of security, but it can sometimes cause issues. If NLA is enabled, the remote computer will only allow connections from devices that have successfully authenticated. You can disable NLA to see if that fixes the issue.

To disable NLA, follow these steps:

1. On the remote computer, go to Control Panel > System and Security > System.
2. Click on Remote settings on the left-hand side.
3. In the Remote Desktop section, uncheck the box that says Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication (recommended).
4. Click Apply and OK.

Try connecting again after making this change.

4. Clear Cached Credentials

Windows sometimes caches credentials for convenience, but outdated or incorrect cached credentials can cause issues with Remote Desktop. To clear cached credentials:

1. Open the Credential Manager on the client machine by typing credential manager into the Windows search bar.
2. Go to Windows Credentials.
3. Locate the credentials related to the remote system, usually identified by the name of the computer or IP address.
4. Click on Remove.
5. Try connecting again, and enter the correct credentials manually.

5. Check User Permissions

Make sure the account you’re using has the necessary permissions to connect via Remote Desktop. You can do this by checking the remote machine’s user settings:

1. On the remote machine, go to Control Panel > System and Security > System.
2. Click Remote settings.
3. Under Remote Desktop, click on Select Users.
4. Make sure that your user account is listed. If not, click Add and enter your username.

6. Update or Re-enter Password

If your password has recently changed, the cached password on your system might be causing the problem. Simply logging out of your client computer and logging back in with your new password might resolve the issue. Alternatively, manually updating your password on the client computer might be necessary.

7. Use IP Address Instead of Personal Computer Name

In some cases, DNS issues might prevent your computer from correctly identifying the remote machine by name. To resolve this, try using the remote computer’s IP address instead of its name in the Remote Desktop Connection window.

You can find the remote computer’s IP address by typing ipconfig in the command prompt on the remote machine.

8. Disable Windows Firewall or Add an Exception

A firewall can block the Remote Desktop connection, leading to credential errors. Temporarily disable the firewall on the client and server machines to check if this resolves the issue. If it works, you can re-enable the firewall and add an exception for Remote Desktop.

To add an exception for Remote Desktop:

• Go to Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.
• Click on Permit an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
• Find Remote Desktop and ensure that both Private and Public boxes checked.

9. Check for Group Policy or Registry Changes

Sometimes group policy or registry changes can interfere with Remote Desktop functionality. If you’ve recently applied any system updates, policies, or modified the registry, consider reviewing them.

You can also reset Remote Desktop settings in the registry:

• Press Win + R, type regedit, & press Enter.
• Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Default.
• Look for any saved credentials here and delete them.

10. Update Windows

Occasionally, bugs in the Windows operating system can cause issues with Remote Desktop connections. Ensure that both the client and remote machines have the latest updates installed. To check for updates, go to:

• Settings > Updates & Security > Check for updates.

Conclusion

Encountering the “Your credentials did not work” error in Remote Desktop can be frustrating, but by following these troubleshooting steps, you can usually resolve the issue fairly quickly. Whether it’s checking your username and password, reconfiguring Remote Desktop settings, or clearing cached credentials, one of these solutions should help you regain access to the remote system. If all else fails, it might be worth considering contacting your system administrator or seeking professional technical support.