By Ellie / Last Updated April 10, 2023

Remote Desktop error message: Time-of-day restriction

 

I'd like to get some help with a Windows Server 2016 GPO issue. (possibly). I am unable to connect to my server via Remote Desktop Connection. I get an error message that says, 'A user account restriction (for example, a time-of-day restriction) is preventing you from logging on.' I'd appreciate your sharing any ideas for overcoming the Remote Desktop time-of-day restriction!”

- Question from Spiceworks

Time of Day Restriction

How to fix time-of-day restriction Remote Desktop [3 solutions]

Don't worry. Here are three solutions to fix the time-of-day restriction Remote Desktop.

Solution 1. Set a password for the remote server

If the remote server does not have a password, you first need to set a password for it.

Step 1. Right-click the Start button and select Properties. Select Computer Management from the menu that appears.

Computer Management on Win 10

Step 2. Go to System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Users. Find the user you are trying to login in to. Right-click it, and then choose Set Password.

User Password

Step 3. Set the password you want and then click OK.

Set Computer Password

Step 4. Try to connect to the remote server again.

Solution 2. Change the security restrictions configured in GPO

If you don't want to set a password for the remote server, you can also change the security restrictions configured in Group Policy.

Step 1. Press Win + R, type "gpedit.msc", and click OK.

Run Box gpedit.msc

Step 2. Go to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Credentials Delegation. Find Restrict delegation of credentials to the remote server and double-click it.

Credentials Delegations

Step 3. Please set it to Disabled and click OK.

Disable Restrict Delegation

Step 4. Then go to Computer Configuration > Windows settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options. Find Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only and double-click it.

Security Code Options Accounts

Step 5. Please set it to Disabled and click OK.

Disable Local Security Settings

Solution 3. Try a Remote Desktop alternative

The final solution is to try a Remote Desktop alternative if you can't fix a user account restriction Remote Desktop time-of-day error using the above two solutions. We strongly recommend the free remote desktop software AnyViewer as the best Remote Desktop alternative for the following reasons.

  • Easy to set up. AnyViewer has an intuitive interface and simple setup process; even a computer illiterate can quickly get started.
  • Widely supported for Windows. AnyViewer supports Windows Home and Windows Standard OS computers.
  • Multi-sessions. AnyViewer allows two remote sessions at the same time.
  • Instant chat. AnyViewer allows users to chat remotely during remote sessions.
Download Freeware Win PCs & Servers
Secure Download

Step 1. Install and run AnyViewer on both of your computers. Navigate to Log in and then Sign up on the Controller computer (if you have already registered on the official website, you can log in directly).

Log in AnyViewer

Step 2. Fill out the sign-up form.

Sign Up for AnyViewer

Step 3. You should now see that you have successfully logged into AnyViewer. Your device will be assigned to the account to which you have logged in automatically.

Free Editions

Step 4. Log in to the same AnyViewer account on the two devices; then, you can click One-click control to achieve unattended remote access, click View the screen to see another’s screen or click File transfer to share files between computers.

Connect to My Devices

Notes:✎...
Additionally, you can change your account's plan to a Professional or Enterprise one. What a business or professional plan can provide for you is:
More devices will be allowed to assign to the same account for unattended remote access.
More connection channels for more devices to be able to start remote connection at the same time.
One device can connect to more devices simultaneously.
Black the remote PC screen and disable the remote keyboard & mouse click to protect privacy.
Transfer 1TB files at 10 MB/s. 

 

The bottom line

This post primarily introduces three tested solutions to fix time-of-day restriction Remote Desktop. If setting a password for the remote server or changing the security restrictions in Group Policy can't help you fix the error, you should use AnyViewer, the best Remote Desktop alternative.