Remote Desktop Troubleshooting: “Your credentials did not work” Issue

  • Problems with using Remote Desktop connections are not uncommon.
  • One of the problems that users have been encountering lately when trying to connect to the Remote Desktop network is the error message “Your credentials didn’t work, login attempt failed“ If you are sure that your credentials are correct, you can solve the problem with the possible solutions listed below.

 

Unlock the secrets of solving Remote Desktop credentials issues with our troubleshooting guide.

Ensure correct credentials and account status

To ensure correct credentials and account status for troubleshooting remote desktop issues, follow these steps:

1. Verify the username and password: Double-check that the correct credentials are being used for the remote desktop connection. Ensure there are no typos or errors in the username or password.

2. Check the account status: Ensure that the account being used for the remote desktop connection is active and not locked or disabled. Contact your system administrator if needed.

3. Review Windows Security Policy: Confirm that the Windows Security Policy for Remote Desktop Connection is properly configured. Check for any policies that may be affecting remote desktop credentials.

4. Clear saved credentials: If you have previously saved credentials for the remote desktop connection, clear them to ensure a fresh login. Use the Windows Credential Manager to remove any saved credentials.

5. Test with another user account: Try logging in with a different user account to see if the issue persists. This will help determine if the problem is specific to the user account or a broader issue.

Following these steps should help resolve remote desktop credentials issues and ensure a successful connection.

Update or revert username and credentials

To update or revert your username and credentials for troubleshooting a Remote Desktop credentials issue, follow these steps:

1. Open the Remote Desktop application on your Windows 10 computer.
2. Click on the Windows Security Policy for Remote Desktop Connection.
3. In the policy settings, locate the section for username and credentials.
4. Click on the username field and enter your desired username. Use strong tags to highlight the field.
5. Next, click on the credentials field and enter your new password. Again, use strong tags to highlight the field.
6. Once you have entered the new username and credentials, click on the “Save” button to apply the changes.
7. Close the Remote Desktop application and reopen it to ensure the new credentials are updated.
8. You should now be able to connect to the remote machine using the updated username and password.

Adjust Windows security policies and local group policies

  1. Open the Group Policy Editor by typing “gpedit.msc” in the Run dialog box and pressing Enter.
  2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Security Options.
  3. Find the policy named Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only and double-click on it.
  4. Select the Enabled option and click Apply.
  5. Scroll down to the policy named Network access: Do not allow storage of passwords and credentials for network authentication and double-click on it.
  6. Choose the Disabled option and click Apply.
    Scroll down to the policy named Network access: Do not allow storage of passwords and credentials for network authentication and double-click on it.
Choose the Disabled option and click Apply.
  7. Under Local Policies, select User Rights Assignment.
  8. Double-click on the policy named Allow logon through Remote Desktop Services.
  9. Click on the Add User or Group button.
  10. Enter the name of the user or group you want to grant remote desktop access to and click OK.
    Click on the Add User or Group button.
Enter the name of the user or group you want to grant remote desktop access to and click OK.
  11. Click Apply and then OK.

Edit registry settings

To troubleshoot a remote desktop credentials issue, you may need to edit registry settings. Follow these steps to resolve the problem:

1. Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client
4. Right-click on the “Terminal Server Client” folder and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
5. Name the new value “AuthenticationLevelOverride” and set its value to “0” (zero).
6. Close the Registry Editor.
7. Restart your computer to apply the changes.

By editing the registry settings, you can fix errors related to remote desktop credentials and improve the authentication process. This solution is particularly helpful for administrators and IT professionals dealing with RDP connections. Remember to follow these steps carefully and make sure you have appropriate permissions before modifying the registry.

Disable Windows Hello sign-in (if applicable)

To disable Windows Hello sign-in for troubleshooting Remote Desktop credentials issues, follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
3. In the left-hand pane, navigate to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Biometrics.
4. Double-click on Allow the use of biometrics to open its settings.
5. Select Disabled and click Apply and then OK.
6. Close the Local Group Policy Editor.

By disabling Windows Hello sign-in, you can troubleshoot any credential issues you may be experiencing with Remote Desktop. This will prevent Windows Hello from interfering with the authentication process and allow you to focus on resolving the issue at hand.

Remember to re-enable Windows Hello sign-in once you have resolved the Remote Desktop credentials issue by following the same steps and selecting Not Configured or Enabled in the Local Group Policy Editor.

Check firewall settings and remote access permissions




Troubleshooting Remote Desktop Credentials Issue

Troubleshooting Remote Desktop Credentials Issue

Check Firewall Settings and Remote Access Permissions

Firewall Settings Remote Access Permissions
  • Ensure that the firewall is not blocking the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) port (default: 3389).
  • Verify that the necessary inbound and outbound rules are configured to allow RDP traffic.
  • Check if any third-party security software is interfering with RDP connections.
  • Consider adding an exception for the Remote Desktop application in your firewall settings.
    Check if any third-party security software is interfering with RDP connections.
Consider adding an exception for the Remote Desktop application in your firewall settings.
  • Make sure the user account you are using has remote access permission.
  • Verify that the Remote Desktop feature is enabled on the target machine.
  • Check if the user account is a member of the Remote Desktop Users group.
  • Ensure that the user account has a strong password and is not locked or disabled.
    Check if the user account is a member of the Remote Desktop Users group.
Ensure that the user account has a strong password and is not locked or disabled.


Understand Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and its functionality

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) allows users to connect to a remote machine and access its desktop session. It is commonly used by IT professionals and administrators to troubleshoot and fix issues on remote systems.

One common problem that users may encounter is a credentials issue when trying to establish an RDP connection. This can be caused by various factors such as incorrect username or password, account lockouts, or username changes.

To troubleshoot this issue, follow these steps:

1. Double-check the username and password: Make sure you are using the correct credentials for the remote machine.

2. Check for account lockouts: If the account is locked, contact your system administrator or IT professional to unlock it.

3. Verify username changes: If the username has been changed on the remote machine, use the updated username to establish the RDP connection.

Differentiate between RDP and VPS usage

When troubleshooting a remote desktop credentials issue, it’s important to understand the difference between RDP and VPS usage.

RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) is a protocol that allows you to connect to a remote computer and access its desktop. It is commonly used for remote administration and support purposes. On the other hand, VPS (Virtual Private Server) refers to a virtual machine that runs its own operating system and is hosted on a physical server. It provides a dedicated environment for running applications or services.

To troubleshoot a credentials issue with RDP, ensure that the correct username and password are being used. If the error message suggests an issue with the administrator account, try changing the username to “Administrator” and enter the password.

For VPS usage, ensure that the RDP client is correctly configured and the endpoint is accessible. Check for any error messages or warning messages that may indicate problems with the connection or credentials.

Remember to follow the necessary steps and rules provided by your IT administrator or refer to relevant documentation for your specific OS, such as Windows 10 or Windows 11.

By understanding the differences between RDP and VPS usage, you can troubleshoot remote desktop credentials issues effectively and get back to work without any annoying interruptions.

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Mark Ginter is a tech blogger with a passion for all things gadgets and gizmos. A self-proclaimed "geek", Mark has been blogging about technology for over 15 years. His blog, techquack.com, covers a wide range of topics including new product releases, industry news, and tips and tricks for getting the most out of your devices. If you're looking for someone who can keep you up-to-date with all the latest tech news and developments, then be sure to follow him over at Microsoft.