Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) issues are back, and they’re causing headaches for Windows 11 (24H2) users. If you’ve been struggling with hanging sessions or failed logins after recent updates, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down and explore solutions that might help.
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What Happened in January 2025?
Reports started surfacing about RDP sessions freezing or disconnecting unexpectedly. Users dug into the issue and found several possible culprits:
Smart Card Reader Conflict
A Reiner SCT smart card reader caused problems for some users. Updating the driver resolved the issue.
Wallpaper Glitch
Believe it or not, desktop wallpapers were flagged as a cause. Removing them via Group Policy fixed the problem for some users:
- Open gpedit.msc.
- Navigate to: Local Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Remote Desktop Session Environment.
- Enable the policy: “Force removal of Remote Desktop wallpapers.”
- Alternatively, use this registry tweak:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services] "fNoRemoteDesktopWallpaper"=dword:00000001
However, not everyone found success with this fix.
Network Detection Settings
Another potential fix involves enabling network detection on the server side:
- Open gpedit.msc.
- Go to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Connections.
- Activate the policy: “Select network discovery on the server.”
Some users reported this eliminated their RDP problems entirely.
February 2025 Update Woes
After the February Patchday (February 12, 2025), more complaints rolled in. The security update KB5051987 for Windows Server 2025 introduced new issues:
Stuck Logins
Disconnecting an RDP session and trying to reconnect later left users stuck on the login screen. The only workaround? Terminate the session via Task Manager and start fresh.
Network Detection Fix
Once again, enabling network detection in Group Policy resolved this issue for some users.
What Can You Do?
If you’re dealing with RDP problems, try these steps:
Solution 1: Update Drivers
Check for updates for connected devices like smart card readers.
Solution 2: Remove Wallpapers
Disable desktop backgrounds in RDP sessions using Group Policy or registry tweaks.
Solution 3: Enable Network Detection
Adjust settings in Group Policy as outlined above.
Solution 4: Check Updates
Ensure all security patches are installed, but be cautious—some updates might introduce new issues.
RDP issues can be frustrating, especially when they interrupt your workflow. While Microsoft hasn’t provided a universal fix yet, these solutions have worked for many users. Have you found a workaround that isn’t listed here? Share it—you might save someone else from pulling their hair out!