March 2025 brought updates to Windows 11, aiming to improve security and performance. Instead, they introduced new headaches for users relying on Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). Let’s break it down.
On March 11, 2025, Microsoft rolled out cumulative updates for Windows 11 versions 23H2 and 24H2:
- KB5053598 for Windows 11 24H2
- KB5053602 for Windows 11 23H2
These updates promised fixes for OpenSSH bugs, Hyper-V issues, and prior RDP display glitches. However, they inadvertently caused fresh RDP problems.
Table of Contents
- New RDP Issues After the Updates
- Windows 11 24H2 – KB5053598
- Windows 11 23H2 – KB5053602
- Real User Experiences
- Black Screens & Lock Screens
- Taskbar Dropouts
- Community Reports
- How to Fix These Issues
- Solution 1: Uninstall Problematic Updates
- Solution 2: Disable UDP Protocol
- Solution 3: Adjust Group Policies
- Solution 4: Monitor Community Feedback
New RDP Issues After the Updates
Windows 11 24H2 – KB5053598
- Disconnections: Users report RDP connections dropping after two minutes when minimized to the taskbar.
- RemoteApps Errors: Connections fail between two and ten minutes, with unhelpful error messages.
Workarounds
- Uninstalling KB5053598 resolves the issue.
- Disabling UDP on accessing clients improves stability.
Windows Server Impact
Users running Windows Server 2016 with KB5053598 installed also face similar disconnection issues.
Windows 11 23H2 – KB5053602
- Pop-Up Notifications: RDP connections terminate when pop-ups appear on Windows Terminal Servers (2016/2025).
- Sleep Mode Fix: Switching to sleep mode temporarily restores functionality.
Solution
Uninstalling KB5053602 eliminates the problem entirely.
Real User Experiences
Black Screens & Lock Screens
Some users accessing Windows 11 clients via RDP face black screens or frozen lock screens. Adjusting group policy settings helps but isn’t foolproof.
Path: Computer Policy > Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Connections
Taskbar Dropouts
Admins report dropped connections when minimizing RDP sessions in the taskbar post-update KB5053598 installation.
Community Reports
Spiceworks and Windows Latest forums echo similar complaints about interrupted remote connections.
How to Fix These Issues
If you’re struggling with RDP after installing the March updates, here’s what you can do:
Solution 1: Uninstall Problematic Updates
Remove KB5053598 (Windows 24H2) or KB5053602 (Windows 23H2). This is the most effective solution so far.
Solution 2: Disable UDP Protocol
For clients using KB5053598, disabling UDP can stabilize connections temporarily.
Solution 3: Adjust Group Policies
Enable network detection on servers while deactivating continuous detection settings as a workaround for earlier issues.
Solution 4: Monitor Community Feedback
Stay updated through forums like Spiceworks or blogs discussing these problems for emerging fixes.
Microsoft’s March updates aimed to enhance Windows 11 but unintentionally disrupted workflows for many relying on RDP connections. While uninstalling updates is a reliable fix, users hope for a prompt resolution from Microsoft in upcoming patches.