Why am I getting an error message when I try to log into a server (remote connection)

Question

Hey guys! I've been using the remote desktop connection app for a while, and in the past month, I've had issues logging in to the servers.

This is the message I get:

[Window Title]

Remote Desktop Connection

[Content]

Remote Desktop can't connect to the remote computer for one of these reasons:

1. Remote access to the server is not enabled
2. The remote computer is turned off
3. The remote computer is not available on the network

Make sure the remote computer is turned on and connected to the network, and that remote access is enabled.

[^] Hide details [OK]

[Expanded Information]

Error code: 0x204

Extended error code: 0x0

Timestamp (UTC): 10/15/24 01:23:02 AM

Any ideas?

Answer 1

Hello,

The error message you're encountering is a common one, but the underlying cause can vary.

Could you provide more details about your environment?

• What is the operating system of both the remote server and the client?
• Are they on the same network? If not, how are they connected? you may want to test the network connectivity between them using the ping command.
• Have you made any recent updates or changes to the configuration that might have caused this issue?
• Have you installed any RDS roles, or are you simply trying to RDP into the server? Check event log on both server and client side would help us to narrow down the issue: Making Sense of RDP Connection Event Logs

Remote Desktop Services Events (by Role Service) in Windows Server 2008 R2 | Microsoft Learn

You might also try some general troubleshooting steps, as outlined in Microsoft's documentation:

General Remote Desktop connection troubleshooting - Windows Server | Microsoft Learn

An internal error has occurred - Windows Server | Microsoft Learn

Let me know if you need further assistance!

Best regards,

Karlie Weng

Answer 2

Hi Kerly!

Here are the answers to your questions:

• I have a Windows 11 home, and the other computer, I believe has Windows 10

- Not the same network; I'm trying to log in to a server that allows me to get remote access to configure certain options in my client's computer

- Nope

- Just trying to RDP

Please let me know if you can come up with a solution.

Answer 3

Could you please provide some additional clarification on the first and second questions?

1. For the first question, when I refer to a remote server and a client, I mean:
   • A Remote Desktop server, which is the PC that you are connecting to.
   • A client machine, which is the device from which you are initiating the connection.
2. For the second question, if the remote server and the client are not on the same network, how do they establish a connection? Is a VPN used, since RDP requires a peer-to-peer connection? Remote Desktop - Allow access to your PC from outside your network | Microsoft Learn

Answer 4

To give you more context - we are using a VPS server that I purchased. I have the login information, but each time I try to log in, I get that message.

It's unusual because I've logged in so many times before, and I only started to have trouble this past month.

Answer 5

Reach out to your VPS provider to confirm that the VPS is powered on and running. They can also check if there are any issues with the server itself.

If your VPS provider has a dashboard, log in and check the status of your VPS. Ensure it is not in a stopped or suspended state.

Then open a CMD and type ping <VPS_IP_Address>. If you get a response, the VPS is reachable on the network.