Question:

“How can I resolve connectivity issues when using Windows Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) over a Windows hotspot? Despite adhering to security protocols that limit me to RDP and prevent the use of alternatives like Google Remote, TeamViewer, or VNC, I encounter no issues connecting to a remote Windows PC via RDP when using an iPhone or Android phone hotspot. However, when I enable the Windows hotspot on the remote PC and connect my local PC to it, I receive an error stating, ‘Remote Desktop Connection Couldn’t Connect because you Already have a Console Session in Progress.’ What settings should I investigate to troubleshoot this problem?”

Answer:

Ensure that the RDP service is running on the remote system. You can check this by accessing the ‘Services’ app on the remote PC and looking for the ‘Remote Desktop Services’ service.

Step 2: Check Internet Connection

A stable internet connection is crucial for RDP to work correctly. Verify that both the remote PC and the local PC have a reliable internet connection.

Step 3: Firewall Configuration

Check if the firewall on your client computer is allowing the RDP connection. You may need to adjust the firewall settings to permit RDP traffic, which typically uses TCP port 3389.

Step 4: Network Level Authentication

Ensure that Network Level Authentication (NLA) is configured correctly. NLA adds an extra layer of authentication before establishing a remote session, which can sometimes cause issues if not set up properly.

Step 5: Group Policy and Registry Settings

Verify that you’re not trying to log into a domain-joined computer from outside the domain network. Also, check whether a Group Policy Object is blocking RDP or if the registry settings on the remote computer are correctly configured to allow RDP connections.

Step 6: Port Assignment Conflict

There might be a port assignment conflict. Ensure that no other application on the Remote Desktop server is using the same TCP port as RDP.

Step 7: Console Session Issue

The error message ‘Remote Desktop Connection Couldn’t Connect because you Already have a Console Session in Progress’ suggests that there is already an active session on the remote PC. This can happen if someone is logged into the console (the physical monitor, keyboard, and mouse connected to the server) or if a session is disconnected but not logged off. To resolve this, ensure that all other sessions are properly logged off before attempting to connect.

Step 8: Hotspot Service Check

If you’re using Windows 11, ensure that the ‘Windows Mobile Hotspot Service’ is running. You can restart or start the service by typing ‘services.msc’ in the Run dialog (Windows key + R) and navigating to the service.

Step 9: Reset Network Settings

Sometimes, resetting the network settings to their default can resolve connectivity issues. On Windows 10, you can reset the network settings by going to Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network reset.

By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot and resolve the connectivity issues you’re experiencing with RDP over a Windows hotspot. If the problem persists, consider seeking further assistance from a network administrator or Microsoft support. Remember to back up important data before making any significant changes to your system settings.