Resolving an internal error when connecting to a remote desktop

An internal error has occurred The remote desktop connection error is a very vague error message. This usually happens when a user tries to connect to a remote computer. This can be due to weak network connection, misconfigured remote connection, etc.

Since remote desktop connection is used by many users for business or personal purpose, this error can be very annoying. For example, when we try to connect from Windows 10 to a server running Windows Server 2012 R2 via RDP, we get the following error message:

This could be the result of installing and configuring RemoteApps. The RDP console message "An internal error has occurred" can appear in several cases and can be caused by a problem with the Remote Desktop Server as well as a problem with the client.

Reasons for connecting to Remote Desktop: An internal error has occurred.

Connection Settings:
For some users, the Remote Desktop Connection client settings may be the cause of this error.

RDP Security:
In some cases, the error can be due to the security of the remote desktop protocol. In this case we need to change the security level.

Computer section:
Another possible cause could be the domain to which the system connects. In this case, deleting the domain and reincorporating it will resolve the issue.

Before applying the below-given solutions, please make sure you are using an administrator account. We also recommend that you follow the listed solutions in the order presented so that you can quickly isolate the problem.

How to fix the message "Internal error occurred".

Change Remote Desktop Connection settings

First, let's try to isolate the problem by changing the RDP settings a bit.
Some users have reported that their issue was resolved after enabling "Reconnect if a connection is lost". This can be done as follows:

Go to the start menu, search for "Remote Desktop Connection" and open it.
Click "Show options" to make all settings visible.
Click the "Experience" tab and make sure the "Reconnect if disconnected" checkbox is checked.
Try connecting to the domain again.

Reconnect to the domain

Sometimes the error message is due to the domain you connected your system to. In this case, you can fix the problem by deleting and reintegrating the domain. please follow these instructions:

Press Windows+I to open Settings.
Go to Accounts, then click the "Access work or school" tab.
Select the domain you connected your system to, and then click Disconnect.
Click Yes when prompted for confirmation.
Shut down the system and restart your computer when prompted.
After you restart the system, you can log back into the domain if necessary.
Try using RDP again.

Change MTU value

Another way to solve the problem is to change the MUT value. The maximum sender size is the largest packet size that can be sent over the network. Reducing the MTU value may help resolve the issue.
That's how it's done:

To change your MTU value, you need to download a tool called TCP Optimizer. You can download it here.
Once downloaded, open TCP Optimizer as an administrator.
Select Custom below before selecting settings.
Change the MTU value to 1458.
Click Apply Changes and exit the program.

Check if this fixes the problem.

Changing RDP security in the Political Authors group.

In some cases, the error message appears due to your RDP security level in Windows Group Policy. In such scenarios, you should enforce the RDP security level. Proceed as follows:

Go to the Start menu, search for Local Group Policy and open Change Group Policy.
Navigate to the following directory:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop
Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Security.
On the right side find the option "Require use of a specific level of security for remote connections (RDP)" and double click on it to change it.
If it is set to Unconfigured, select Enabled and then RDP before security layer.
Click on "Apply" and then on "OK".
Reboot the system for the changes to take effect.
Try signing in again.

Disable network authentication

You can also try to solve the problem by disabling Network Level Authentication (NLA). Sometimes the problem can be caused by you or the target system is configured to only allow remote connections running Remote Desktop with NLA. Disabling it will solve the problem, and here's how:

Go to your desktop, right click on this computer and choose Properties.
Click Remote Settings.
In the Remote Desktop section, clear the Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with network authentication check box.
Click the Apply button and then click the OK button.
See if this helps isolate the problem.

Restart the Remote Desktop service

In some cases, restarting Remote Desktop Service helps, so we'll restart it manually at this point.
In order to do this:

Press "Windows"+"R" to open the "Run" prompt.
Type "services.msc" and press "Enter".
Double click on "Remote Desktop Service" and press "Stop".
After waiting 5 seconds, click "Start".
Check if there is still a problem.

Disconnect VPN connection

Your computer may be configured to use a proxy or VPN connection, which routes its internet connection through another server and prevents the connection from being established properly.
In this step we will disable the proxy settings in Internet Explorer and you should also ensure that any VPNs running on your computer are disabled.

Simultaneously press the Windows+R keys on your keyboard.
A Run dialog box will appear, type MSConfig in the blank field and click OK.
In the System Configuration window, select the "Boot" option and check the "Secure Boot" box.
Click on "Apply" and then on "OK".
Now restart your computer to enter Safe Mode.
Press Windows+R keys at the same time again, type inetcpl.cpl in the Run dialog box and press Enter to run it.
The "Internet Properties" dialog box will appear on your screen, from there select the "Connections" tab.
Uncheck "Use a proxy server for your local network" and click OK.
Reopen MSConfig and this time disable Secure Boot, save your changes and restart your computer.
Check if the error message persists.

Modifying Local Security Policy configuration

This is another way to solve the problem that requires you to use Local Security Policy Utility. To do this, follow these steps:

Press "Windows"+"R" to open the "Run" prompt.
Type "Secpol.msc" and press Enter to run the Local Security Policy Utility.
In the Local Security Policy Utility, click the Local Policy option and then click the Security option in the left pane.
On the right pane, scroll down and click on the "System Cryptography" option and then on the "Security" option on the left pane.
In the right pane, scroll down to find the System Cryptography option: Use FIPS 140-compliant cryptographic algorithms, including encryption, hashing, and signing algorithms.
Double click on this option and in the next window check the "Enabled" button.
Click Apply to save your changes, then click OK to close the window.
Check if this solves the problem on your computer.

Allow remote connections

It is possible that certain system configurations do not allow remote connections on your computer. Therefore, this error appears when you try to use RDP. In this step we are going to reconfigure this setting in Control Panel and then check if it solves the problem on our computer. To do this, we proceed as follows:

Press "Windows"+"R" to run the "Run" command line.
Type "Control Panel" and press "Enter" to launch the Classic Control Panel.
In the Control Panel, click the System and Security option, and then click System.
In the left pane, under System Settings, click Advanced System Settings.
In the advanced system settings, click on the "Remote" tab and make sure that the "Allow remote support connections to this computer" option is checked.
Make sure the "Allow remote connections to this computer" tab below is also checked.
Click Apply to save your changes, and then click OK to close the window.
Check if this solves the problem on your computer.

frequently asked Questions

How do I fix an internal error in Remote Desktop?

Go to the start menu, search for "Remote Desktop Connection" and open it.
Click View Settings to view all settings.
Click on the "Experience" tab and make sure the "Reconnect when disconnected" check box is checked. Change the PDR settings.
Try connecting again.

How do I fix a dropped remote session?

Locate the remote desktop client, right-click it and choose Properties from the menu.
Click the Compatibility tab and check Run this program as an administrator. Now click Apply and OK to save your changes.

How do I restart the remote desktop connection?

Select the remote desktop name, ctrl-click and choose Reset from the context menu. Click the Settings button (gear icon) in the upper-right corner of the window, select Applications in the left pane, click Reset, and then click Next.

Why does my remote desktop keep losing connection?

The client could not connect to the terminal server due to a security error. Make sure you are connected to the network and try connecting to the server again. The remote desktop has been disconnected. The client could not connect to the remote computer due to a security error.