How to Fix Remote Access to the Server Is Not Enabled

RDP error: Remote access to the server is not enabled

“I’ve been using Remote Desktop for a while now, and it’s definitely helped me improve my working efficiency. However, when I tried to use it on my new laptop last week, I received the following message: Remote access to the server is not enabled. I tried rebooting both the machine and Remote Desktop Services, but the problem persisted. Who can assist in its resolution?”

What cause “Remote access to the server is not enabled”?

There are many reasons for Remote access to the server is not enabled on Windows 7/8/10/11 when using RDP to remotely control a PC. To sum up, there are seven reasons:

• Error caused by Windows version. As we all know, each update of the Windows version will fix some errors, but at the same time, also bring some new problems. Perhaps this is the reason why “Remote access to the server is not enabled”.
• Firewall setting error or impact of anti-virus software. Windows built-in firewall and third-party anti-virus software, in some cases, may cause the problem.
• Network configuration error. The connection of Microsoft Remote Desktop depends on the network. If your computer network configuration is wrong, it is likely to cause this problem.
• Remote Desktop setting error. If you reconfigure a new computer, you may need to check its default settings, otherwise, it may cause some unnecessary trouble.
• Group Policy setting error. Group Policy setting error. According to the feedback of some users, improper Group Policy settings may be the cause of this problem.
• Display setting error. If the screen size of your remote computer is too large, this problem may also occur. The culprit is custom scaling.
• Port conflict. If the port used by other applications on your PC conflicts with port 3389, it may also cause this problem.

8 solutions to “RDP Remote access to the server is not enabled”

As the causes of Remote Desktop Connection Remote access to the server is not enabled are clarified, here we sort out 8 solutions to solve it.

Solution 1. Modify Windows Firewall settings

Step 1. Press WIN + S and then type in “Allow an app through Windows Firewall”. Click Open.

Step 2. Click Change settings and then check Remote Desktop.

Solution 2. Check Allow Remote Desktop connections

Step 1. Press Win + R to invoke the Run dialog box. Then type in “sysdm.cpl” and hit OK to open System Properties.

Step 2. Switch to the Remote tab and then check Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer.

Solution 3. Reset the Remote Desktop credentials

Step 1. Press WIN + S and then type in “Remote Desktop Connection”. Click Open.

Step 2. Click Delete, and then click Yes to delete the saved credentials.

Solution 4. Add the IP address of the remote computer to the host’s file

Step 1. Press Win + X, and then select Windows PowerShell (Admin).

Step 2. Type in the following commands and press Enter respectively:

cd C:/Windows/System32/Drivers/etc

notepad/hosts

Step 3. Add the IP address of the remote computer. Click Close and then Save to save all changes.

Solution 5. Add RDGClientTransport key in the registry

Step 1. Press WIN + R and then type in “regedit” to open the Registry Editor.

Step 2. Navigate here: HKEY_CURRENT_USER > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Terminal Server Client. On the right pane, click on the blank space and then choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

Step 3. Change the name of the new DWORD into “RDGClientTransport”.

Step 4. Set the value data to 1.

Solution 6. Change network properties

Step 1. Press Win + I and then click Network & Internet.

Step 2. Click Properties.

Step 3. Change the Network profile from Public to Private.

Solution 7. Check the Group Policy setting

Step 1. Press Win + R and then type in “gpedit.msc” to open Local Group Policy Editor.

Step 2. Navigate here: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Connection. On the right pane, find and click Allow users to connect remotely by using Remote Desktop Services.

Step 3. Set it to Enabled.

Solution 8. Update or recover system version

Step 1. Open the Control Panel, locate and click Update & Security.

Step 2. In the Update & Security interface, check whether a new version is available. If yes, download and install it (remember to back up your data first).

Step 3. If your computer system is already the latest version, you can consider to Go back to the previous version of Windows 10 in Recovery (choose carefully).

AnyViewer: Avoid remote access not enabled issue

You may need simpler remote access software. As a completely free third-party, AnyViewer is applicable to multiple versions of Windows, including Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7 and Windows Server 2022/2019/2016/2012 R2. It has a simple interface and requires a simple operation. No more complicated setup and configuration process anymore. Even novice users can quickly grasp how it works with the following detailed tutorials.

Methods 1. Send a control request

Step 1. Install and open AnyViewer on the devices. Input the device ID of the host computer and then click Connect.

Step 2. Click Send a control request to your partner.

Step 3. On the host computer, click the green button to make the connection successful.

Methods 2. Input security code

Step 1. On the host computer, go to Settings > Recipient. Tick the third option and then set the permanent security code.  

Step 2. On the client computer, input the device ID of the host computer and then click Connect.

Step 3. Choose Input a security code and click OK (the controller can input either the permanent security code or the temporary security code of the recipient).

Conclusion

If you run into the problem “Remote access to the server is not enabled”, try one of the eight remedies listed in this post. If none of the methods work, you may want to consider using third-party remote connection software to avoid the issue. AnyViewer, a completely free third-party remote control software, is an excellent example.