A black screen when connecting via RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) can become an unexpected and unpleasant issue. It is often encountered in early versions of Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019. Let’s look at the main causes and solutions for this problem.
What is RDP and why is it used?
RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol) is a protocol developed by Microsoft for remote access to a desktop of a computer or server over a network. It is widely used for remote administration, technical support, and remote work. RDP is built into Windows operating systems and is available as both a client and server component.
Possible causes of the black screen during RDP connection
The causes of the black screen can vary:
- Issues with graphics drivers: Outdated or incorrectly installed graphics card drivers can lead to a black screen.
- Screen resolution mismatch: A conflict between the screen resolution on the client and server can also cause issues.
- RDP client caching issues: Enabled image caching can result in incorrect display of the desktop.
Solution to the problem
Using a key combination: Try pressing CTRL+ALT+END and then select "Cancel." This may help restore the screen image.
Updating the graphics card drivers: Make sure your PC has the latest versions of the graphics card drivers. You can install them manually or via automatic updates.
RDP client settings: Disable image caching in the RDP client settings (mstsc.exe). Go to the "Experience" tab and turn off the option "Persistent bitmap caching."
Group Policy settings: In Windows 10, you can try using the XDDM graphics driver instead of WDDM. To do this, open the Group Policy editor (gpedit.msc) and go to "Computer Configuration" -> "Administrative Templates" -> "Windows Components" -> "Remote Desktop Services" -> "Remote Desktop Session Host" -> "Remote Session Environment." Disable the use of the WDDM driver by setting the parameter "Use WDDM graphics display driver for Remote Desktop Connections" to "Disabled."
Disabling UDP protocol: Disable the use of the UDP protocol for RDP traffic transmission via the registry or Group Policy. This may help resolve the black screen issue.
Checking events in Event Viewer: If the problem occurs on Windows Server 2019 or Windows 10 version 1809+, check the event log in Event Viewer. If errors related to the URCP protocol are found, disable it via the registry.
For a simpler and faster solution, you can use the following command in PowerShell using a VNC connection:
reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services" /v "fEnableWddmDriver" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f; New-ItemProperty "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Terminal Server Client" -Name UseURCP -PropertyType DWord -Value 0;
Additional recommendations
MTU configuration: Make sure the RDP server, client, and all network equipment between them are set to the same MTU value.
Disabling data compression: Turn off data compression in the RDP session via the local GPO editor.
Conclusion
Solving the black screen issue during an RDP connection may require a comprehensive approach, including configuring graphics settings, optimizing the network, updating software, and resolving software conflicts. Applying these recommendations will not only resolve current issues but also improve the overall stability and performance of remote desktop sessions, making RDP work more comfortable and efficient.