Remote Desktop can t find the computer

RDP Error: Remote Desktop Can’t Find the Computer

Also, make sure you allow Remote Assistance connections to the remote machine. Search the Start Menu for "allow remote access" and open the result named Allow remote connections to this computer. On the right-pane and scroll down to the Remote Desktop section.

Click on Show settings beside Change settings to allow remote connections to this computer and check the box beside Allow Remote Assistance connections to the computer. Press OK and see if this fixes the issue.

What causes the ‘Remote Desktop Can’t Find the Computer’ Error Message on Windows 10?

Well, the error message appears because your system is not able to resolve the specified hostname which can be due to one of the following factors —

• DNS Cache: In most of the cases, your DNS cache is responsible for the system not being able to reach the hostname. In such a case, you will just have to flush it.
• No Entry in the Hosts File: The error message can also appear if your system’s hosts file has no entry of your RDP server. In such a situation, you will have to manually add it.
• Remote Desktop Connections Credentials Cache: The issue also seems to be caused by the credentials cache of the Remote Desktop Connections. To isolate it, you will have to clear the credentials cache.

Now, getting towards the possible resolutions for the issue, you can circumvent it by implementing the following solutions.

Solution 1: Flush DNS

If you are caught in the midst of the said error message then the first thing you need to do is to flush your DNS cache. In most of the cases, this will fix your issue. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press Windows Key + X and select Command Prompt (Admin) from the list to open an elevated command prompt.
2. Once the command prompt loads up, type in the following command and then hit Enter:ipconfig /flushdns
   
   Flushing DNS
3. Close the command prompt.
4. Check if it isolates the issue.

Solution 2: Clear RDP Connections History

In some cases, the issue can also be caused by the credentials cache of the Remote Desktop Connections. In such a case, you will have to clear the RDP connections history. This can be done using the Windows Registry. Here’s how to do it:

1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type in ‘regedit’ and then hit Enter.
3. Now, navigate to the following directory:HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client\Default
4. On the right-hand side, delete all the MRU entries and then restart your system.
   
   Deleting MRU Entries
5. See if it fixes the issue.

Solution 3: Adding the Hostname to the Hosts File

If the above solutions do not work out for you, then the hosts file on your system is missing your RDP server entry. In such a case, you will have to manually put it in and then see if it fixes the issue. To do this, follow the given instructions:

1. Press Windows Key + X and then select Command Prompt (Admin) from the list to open an elevated command prompt.
2. In the command prompt, type in the following and then hit Enter:Notepad C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
3. This will open up the hosts file in a notepad.
   
   Hosts File
4. You will have to add a string in the following format:
5. 127.0.0.1 [hostname of the server]
6. Press Ctrl + S to save the notepad file.
7. Close the notepad file and then close the command prompt.
8. See if it isolates the issue.

How to fix ‘remote desktop can’t connect to the remote computer’

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In today’s world, connecting to a remote computer has become commonplace, given that many companies have adopted a work-from-home culture. However, this can bring up many technical issues, including common errors such as “remote desktop can’t connect to the remote computer.”

So, how to fix this error? Well, let’s get a bit into the basics first.

Remote desktop is a convenient feature that allows you to virtually connect to other computers running the Windows operating system. With this feature, you can connect to computers located in any part of the world, provided you have the right credentials (username and password) to connect. Also, a good Internet connection is absolutely essential!

If you have the right credentials and the Internet connection and still face this issue, let’s address them.

Top reasons for ‘remote desktop can’t connect to the remote computer’ error

Before you read this section, check if your Internet connection is working fine and if you’re using the right credentials to log in because these are two of the most common causes of this error. Besides these two causes, there are also other reasons for this error.

Windows update

Many times, the Remote Desktop (RDP) functionality may get corrupted after a Windows update or upgrade as one of the newly installed files can interfere with the working of the RDP. You’ll have to manually identify the exact cause and fix it.

Antivirus

Sometimes, antivirus software can block RDP completely or partially, and this leads to the “remote desktop can’t connect to the remote computer” error. The good news about this error is it is easy to identify. Disable your antivirus and see if you can connect now. If you can, you’ve found the root cause of the problem!

Public network profile

If you have a public network profile or a network group, your computer can block the remote desktop functionality as a protective measure. While this is not an exhaustive list of reasons, these are the most common ones. Now comes the big question — how to fix the “remote desktop can’t connect to the remote computer” error.

[6 Ways] Remote Desktop Can’t Find the Computer in Windows 11, 10, 8, or 7

Encounter the issue that Remote Desktop can't find the computer that doesn't belong to the specified network? Refer to the post for possible causes and useful solutions.

By @Annie Last Updated February 14, 2022