Fix RDP connection failures after server restart due to Windows Firewall blocking

draft · remote-access rdpfirewall

Generated by docuprocessor (prompt article/v3) · 2026-04-22 12:55

Source thread

thread_id: spaces/AAAA05BdS6s/threads/nz4Vlv8vhdE · 4 msgs · first 2024-11-18 · participants: Tech A

Tech A 2024-11-18 16:46

for Unlimited Furniture Group, they are having an issue connecting to the Server2008 via RemoteDesktop, some of them are working remotely using WG VPN, and some working at the office. server was 1st stuck i could not reach it using LMI, they helped to restarted, is back again (this had worked previously ) but once servers was back in LMI, i could access but they can not, checked the Remote desktop connection was on, and services for the remote client also are running on the server. any idea?

Tech A 2024-11-18 16:46

VPN

image/png Screenshot 2024-11-18 111822.png

**Screen Capture — Remote Desktop Connection Failure** A Microsoft Remote Desktop session on macOS is attempting to connect to **192.168.168.200:6006** (username: **utgjeff**) and has returned an **"Unable to connect"** error dialog. The error message states: *"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**.

Tech A 2024-11-18 16:46

at the office.

image/png Screenshot 2024-11-18 113906.png

**Visible on screen:** A macOS environment shows a **Splashtop SOS** remote support session attempting to connect to **192.168.168.200:6006** under user **ufg\sujan**. A Remote Desktop error dialog reads **"Unable to connect"** with error code **0x204**, stating the remote PC could not be reached and advising to verify the PC is powered on, network-connected, and has remote access enabled. A technician email **tommell@dentalht.com** and a session code beginning with **681 835 6…** are partially visible.

Tech A 2024-11-18 16:56

NVM, all was fine except the Firewall issue we had on friday -_-

---
title: "Fix RDP connection failures after server restart due to Windows Firewall blocking"
category: remote-access
tags: ["rdp", "firewall"]
source_thread_id: "spaces/AAAA05BdS6s/threads/nz4Vlv8vhdE"
source_space: "spaces/AAAA05BdS6s"
generated_at: "2026-04-22T12:55:26"
participants: ["Tech A"]
---

# Fix RDP connection failures after server restart due to Windows Firewall blocking

## Problem
After a Server 2008 restart, users could not connect via Remote Desktop Connection from both VPN and local office connections, receiving error code 0x204 ("Unable to connect - We couldn't connect to the remote PC"). The server was accessible via LogMeIn, Remote Desktop services were running, and Remote Desktop connections were enabled in system settings. Both macOS clients connecting to 192.168.168.200:6006 experienced identical connection failures.

## Resolution
1. Check Windows Firewall settings on the server
2. Verify that Remote Desktop exceptions are properly configured in Windows Firewall
3. Re-enable or reconfigure the Remote Desktop firewall rules if they were reset during the server restart

The issue was traced to a Windows Firewall configuration problem that occurred after the server restart, blocking RDP connections despite the Remote Desktop service running normally.

## References
- Source discussion: `spaces/AAAA05BdS6s/threads/nz4Vlv8vhdE`
- Attachments: 
  - ![Screenshot 2024-11-18 113906.png](../attachments/nz4Vlv8vhdE.HuIvGba7h-w/Screenshot 2024-11-18 113906.png) — **Visible on screen:**

A macOS environment shows a **Splashtop SOS** remote support session attempting to connect to **192.168.168.200:6006** under user **ufg\sujan**. A Remote Desktop error dialog reads **"Unable to connect"** with error code **0x204**, stating the remote PC could not be reached and advising to verify the PC is powered on, network-connected, and has remote access enabled. A technician email **tommell@dentalht.com** and a session code beginning with **681 835 6…** are partially visible.
  - ![Screenshot 2024-11-18 111822.png](../attachments/nz4Vlv8vhdE.IyleCAng89U/Screenshot 2024-11-18 111822.png) — **Screen Capture — Remote Desktop Connection Failure**

A Microsoft Remote Desktop session on macOS is attempting to connect to **192.168.168.200:6006** (username: **utgjeff**) and has returned an **"Unable to connect"** error dialog. The error message states: *"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**.

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