When I go to the link you provide above it states. The following forum(s) have migrated to Microsoft Q&A: All English Microsoft Azure forums, Developing Universal Windows apps, Microsoft Partner Center API, Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), Windows 10 Installation, Setup, and Deployment, Active Directory Federation Services! In most cases, the Mac error code 0x204 Remote Desktop problem happens when the Remote Desktop Protocol is not turned on in the Windows machine you are trying to access. This is important because this software is what initiates the connection between the two devices, and without it, you won’t be able to connect to your PC.
TLDR: Modify your power plan to ensure your VM isn’t going to sleep!
I had recently deployed a new Windows 10 based VM that would serve as an RDP jump box to access lab resources. Initially RDP worked fine, but I noticed that after a while I couldn’t connect any more. The only way to rouse it from this state was to open a direct console window from the vSphere Client, or to reboot the VM.
The exact error message from the Remote Desktop for Mac window is:
“We couldn’t connect to the remote PC. Make sure the PC is turned on and connected to the network, and that remote access is enabled.
Error code: 0x204”
In addition to the 0x204 error, I also saw “Error code: 0x4” numerous times as well.
The two error codes I kept getting (0x204 and 0x4) were not helpful and just led me on a wild goose chase. These codes were only reported on the Mac RDP client and Windows was more generic:
Clearly the message “Make sure the PC is turned on” garnered no attention from a seasoned IT professional like me, but in the end turned out to be relevant. The issue was that the Windows 10 VM was going to sleep.
I only noticed this when I saw a blacked-out screen in the console preview and the lack of a hostname or IP address listed. This tells me that VMware tools hasn’t checked in for a period of time.
I’m not sure if an incoming RDP connection attempt would wake a physical machine in this state, but sleep isn’t very beneficial to a VM. I simply modified the power settings to prevent sleep and hibernation and the issue hasn’t happened again.
Windows Server varieties don’t behave this way, but because Windows 10 is primarily intended for bare-metal laptop and desktop use cases, power saving features are enabled by default.
This is a pretty basic problem, but I thought I’d do a post just in case it helps someone else who overlooked the obvious like I did and instead tried chasing up hexadecimal error codes 🙂
If receiving the Remote Desktop Error 0x204 while using trying to connect to your PC through Remote Desktop, then, fortunately, you are at the right place. In this article, you will get the complete solutions to fix Remote Desktop Error Code 0x204 on Windows 10.
Remote Desktop is a very useful option with which we can control our Windows computer from another computer. Well, this is very easy-to-use and indeed the best tool because not only you can connect to your PC but also have access to all your apps, files, and network resources.
But to use the remote desktop option and connect to your PC there are several conditions that should be met, such as:
- Your system should be turned on
- The remote desktop option must be enabled
- Must have the network connection and network access to a remote computer
- And lastly, you must have permission to connect to another device.
And if you meet these conditions you can easily connect to your PC. But, the things may not always go the same, many users reported they are receiving the Microsoft Remote Desktop error 0x204 while using Remote Desktop.
This is really very frustrating but fortunately, there are fixes that you can try to fix Remote Desktop error 0x204.
What Causes Remote Desktop Error 0x204 on Windows 10?
There are a number of things that cause the error code 0x204. Here learn about them:
- Due to outdated drivers or recently installed hardware/drivers
- The security settings or the third party security programs can also cause interruption
- If the remote desktop protocol is disabled
- The problematic Remote Desktop connection account can also cause the problem.
Now follow the solutions given one by one to resolve Remote Desktop Connection fails error 0x204.
How Do I Fix Remote Desktop Error 0x204 on Windows 10?
Fix 1: Verify the Remote Desktop Protocol
As said above if the remote desktop protocol is disabled then this is what causes the error and becomes a big hurdle. So very first check whether the Remote Desktop Protocol is enabled or not.
Follow the steps to do so:
- First press Windows key + R > in the Run box type SystemPropertiesRemote.exe > hit OK
- Then in the System Properties > navigate to Remote tab
- Next under the Remote desktop> checkmark Allow remote connections to this computer – Allow remote connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network-level authentication (recommended)
Now check if the error code 0x204 in Windows 10 is fixed or not.
Fix 2: Allow Remote Desktop via Windows Firewall
Many users confirmed that disabling the third party security program and the Windows Firewall works for them.
The Remote desktop connection fails – error 0x204 or 0x207 occurs because the Windows Firewall and the other third-party security program causes an interruption.
Rd Client 0x204 Software
Follow the steps to verify your security settings:
- Click on Start Menu > Control Panel > hit Enter
- Now go to System and Security > and to Windows Defender Firewall,
- Then through Windows Firewall link > click on the Allow an app through Windows Firewall
- Locate Remote Desktop > and click on it to allow for both the private and public network
I hope this works for you to fix the remote desktop error 0x204 in Windows 10. But if not then check if you have installed any third-party antivirus program then disable it temporarily.
Especially the McAfee Internet Security is causing error code 0x204, so check if you are running this security program then disable it.
Fix 3: Configure the Port for Remote Desktop connections
If still encountering the error code 0x204 then another thing that you need to do is check if your remote sessions are through the internet, then make sure that your router was configured to forward the remote desktop port 3389 by default.
As the routers have different interfaces so it is completely impossible to provide definite instructions. But still, there are some basic steps that guide you through the process.
So follow the steps given:
- Here you need to get the IP address of the system you want to connect and to do so you need to open Command Prompt > type ipconfig
- Next log into the router > finds out the Port Forwarding section.
And in that section, you need to forward TCP port 3389 to the earlier located IP address.
Please Note: You need to make sure that exposing the Remote Desktop server directly to the internet can generate risks like virus infection, malware, hacking, etc. So, assure using strong passwords and also install a VPN.
Or else you can change the RDP listening port from the 3389 default to another high post number in dynamic range.
Now check if the Remote Desktop error 0x204 or 0x207 is fixed or not. If not then head to the next solution.
Fix 4: Check if You Have Installed New Hardware/ Drivers
As discussed above if you have installed any new hardware or drivers then this can also cause error code 0x204 in Windows 10.
So, check if this is a case then try the below-given steps:
- Run Hardware Diagnosis provided by the manufacturer to identify which hardware component is not working or failed
- Also, uninstall or replace the recently installed driver.
Despite this, if your device drivers are outdated then this can also cause the remote desktop error 0x204 in Windows 10.
So, check for the outdated drivers and update them, you can go to the manufacturer website or the Microsoft Official website and search for the latest driver update compatible with your Windows 10 system.
Moreover, you can also do it easily by running the Driver Easy, this is an advanced tool that just by scanning once detect and update the entire device drivers.
Get Driver Easy to update the drivers automatically
Fix 5: Reset your Account Remote Desktop Connection
You can also try resetting the Remote Desktop connection, and check if the Remote desktop connection error 0x204 is resolved or not.
Follow the steps given:
- Press Windows + S key > now type Remote Desktop > press Enter.
- Now open the app in question > go to the Remote Desktop connection you want to delete.
- Then click on an icon (three horizontally-aligned dots)
- And choose the Remove option > close the Remote Desktop app.
Now you need to open the app and try to set up the connection you have deleted now.
Fix 6: Reinstall Remote Desktop app
If none of the above-given solutions work for you then try to reinstall the remote desktop software and to do so first uninstall Remote Desktop app in Windows 10.
Follow the steps to do so:
- First, open the Microsoft Remote Desktop app
- Then click on the overflow menu (…) button > placed next to the name (ex: “My Laptop”) of Remote Desktop connection that is needed to delete > click on Remove
- Next after disabling the app > try installing it again
Fix 7: Check if You are Running Latest Version of Microsoft Remote Desktop App
Rd Client 0x204 Ios
Here it is suggested to verify if you are using the latest version of the Microsoft Remote Desktop app.
As if the Microsoft Remote Desktop app is outdated then it is not compatible with your system and can cause remote desktop connection error 0x204 in Windows 10.
So, make sure to install the latest version of the app from the Microsoft official website.
People Also Ask:
You can fix the remote desktop connections fails error code 0x204 or 0x207, in the following ways:
Enabling the Remote Desktop Protocol,
- Verify the security settings,
- Reinstall Remote Desktop app
- Reset RDP connection
- Configure the port for Remote Desktop connections
- Verify recently installed hardware/drivers
- Run the latest version of Remote Desktop App
To fix the Remote desktop connection has stopped working error, try the fixes - Allow Remote Desktop Via Windows Firewall, verify the dependency services, uncheck printers option in Remote Desktop Connection, disable autologin via Registry Editor, remove the recently installed apps, and rename bitmapped images.
To know more read the article - How To Fix Remote Desktop Connection Stopped Working Error Cms usb devices driver download.
You can delete the RDP connection history manually from the jump list in Windows 10 or else delete the RDP connection cache using the registry, or use the script method to clear the remote desktop history.
Read the article to follow the detailed steps: How to Clear the RDP Connection History
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Wrapping Things Up
Undoubtedly the remote desktop option is an effective option as managing or troubleshooting the PC from afar can give us huge comfort.
And this is the reason it is highly popular among the users.
But if you encounter remote desktop error 0x204 in Windows 10, then follow the above listed possible solutions one by one.
The solutions listed are useful and will definitely work for you to fix Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection error 0x204 in Windows 10.
And, as I always say and recommend, always keep your PC clean and updated, and following this simple rule will make your PC more secure and fix various issues and errors and you will no longer get it in the future.
I hope you like the article, also feel free to give a big thumbs up on our FB page and Twitter.
Good Luck.!
Hardeep Kaur
Rd Client Error Code 0x204
Hardeep has always been a Windows lover ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP PC. She has always been enthusiastic about technological stuff, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI) computing. Before joining PC Error Fix, she worked as a freelancer and worked on numerous technical projects.