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How to Fix the “Remote Desktop Services is Currently Busy” Error on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Solutions

Experiencing the “Remote Desktop Services is currently busy” error on Windows 11 can be frustrating. This issue often prevents you from connecting to a remote computer, disrupting your workflow. Fortunately, there are several straightforward solutions to resolve this problem.

This guide walks you through easy-to-follow steps to fix this error. Each method is explained clearly, so even beginners can follow along. By the end, you should be able to restore your Remote Desktop connection smoothly.

Understanding why this error happens helps you prevent it in the future. Usually, it relates to system resource limits or conflicts in Remote Desktop Services.

Let’s dive into the solutions starting from the simplest checks to advanced troubleshooting.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Initial Checks

  • Check your network connection: Ensure both your local and remote computers are connected to the internet or the same network.
  • Confirm Remote Desktop is enabled: On the remote PC, go to Settings > System > Remote Desktop and make sure Remote Desktop is turned on.
  • Verify user permissions: Your user account must have permission to access the remote computer.
  • Close unused Remote Desktop sessions: Sometimes too many open sessions cause this error.

Step 1: Restart Remote Desktop Services

Restarting the Remote Desktop Services clears any temporary issues causing the service to be busy. This is a quick fix that often works.

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type services.msc and hit Enter. This opens the Services window.
  3. Scroll down and find Remote Desktop Services.
  4. Right-click it and select Restart.
  5. Wait a few seconds for the service to restart, then try connecting again.

Restarting services is important because it refreshes the components responsible for handling remote connections.

Step 2: Sign Out Disconnected Sessions

Sometimes, old or disconnected Remote Desktop sessions remain active and block new connections. Signing out these sessions can help.

  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator. Search for cmd, right-click it, and choose Run as administrator.
  2. Type the command below and press Enter to list all active sessions:
    3. query session
  3. Note the session ID(s) of disconnected sessions.
  4. To log off a session, type:
    5. logoff [session ID]
  5. Replace [session ID] with the actual ID number.
  6. Repeat for all disconnected sessions, then try connecting again.

This step ensures the Remote Desktop server is free to accept your new connection.

Step 3: Increase Remote Desktop Session Limits

Windows has limits on how many Remote Desktop sessions can run simultaneously. Increasing these limits can fix the busy error.

  1. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, then press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
  2. Navigate to:
    Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Connections
  3. Find and double-click Limit number of connections.
  4. Select Enabled, then set the RD Maximum Connections allowed to a higher number (e.g., 10).
  5. Click Apply and OK.
  6. Restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Increasing session limits allows more users or sessions to connect, reducing the chance of the service being busy.

Step 4: Check for Windows Updates

Outdated system files can cause Remote Desktop errors. Keeping Windows updated ensures you have the latest fixes.

  1. Click the Start button and select Settings.
  2. Go to Windows Update.
  3. Click Check for updates.
  4. If updates are available, download and install them.
  5. Restart your PC after installing updates.

Updating your system can resolve bugs related to Remote Desktop Services.

Step 5: Use Command Prompt to Reset Remote Desktop Listener

If the problem persists, resetting the Remote Desktop listener might help. This step refreshes the service component that listens for incoming connections.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
    3. net stop termservice
  3. Wait a few seconds, then type:
    4. net start termservice
  4. Try reconnecting to Remote Desktop.

Stopping and starting the Terminal Services can clear stuck states that cause the busy error.

Alternative Method: Use PowerShell to Restart Services

If you prefer PowerShell, you can restart Remote Desktop Services quickly with this command:

Restart-Service -Name TermService -Force

Run PowerShell as administrator, paste the command, and press Enter. This restarts the service similarly to the manual method.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why do I see “Remote Desktop Services is currently busy”?

This message appears when the Remote Desktop service on the remote computer is overloaded or stuck, preventing new connections.

Can I fix this without restarting the remote computer?

Yes, restarting Remote Desktop Services or logging off active sessions often fixes the issue without rebooting.

What if I don’t have administrator rights on the remote PC?

Some fixes require admin access. Contact your system administrator to help with service restarts or session management.

Does this error happen on all versions of Windows?

It can occur on multiple Windows versions but is more common on Windows Server and professional editions where multiple sessions are used.

Is it safe to increase the number of Remote Desktop connections?

Yes, as long as your system has enough resources. Increasing limits can allow more users but may impact performance if overloaded.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the above steps and still face the error, consider these final options:

  • Reboot the remote computer: Sometimes a full restart clears persistent issues.
  • Check Windows Event Viewer: Look for specific error messages in Event Viewer > Windows Logs > System for clues.
  • Contact Microsoft Support: Visit the official Microsoft Support site for professional assistance.
  • Consider using third-party remote desktop tools: Tools like TeamViewer or AnyDesk can be alternatives if Remote Desktop continues to fail.

Conclusion

The “Remote Desktop Services is currently busy” error on Windows 11 is usually fixable with simple steps like restarting services, signing out sessions, or adjusting limits. Checking your network and system updates helps prevent the problem too.

Following this step-by-step guide should restore your Remote Desktop functionality efficiently. Remember to start with the easiest fixes and move to advanced options only if necessary. If problems persist, professional support is available to ensure your remote connections work smoothly.

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