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After updating to the Windows 10 May update, some users experience a black screen when trying to connect via Remote Desktop. This can be frustrating, especially if you rely on Remote Desktop to access your computer remotely.

The black screen issue often occurs due to display driver conflicts or Remote Desktop settings changes introduced by the update. Fortunately, there are straightforward ways to fix this problem.

This guide will walk you through simple troubleshooting steps, starting from the easiest fixes to more advanced methods. Following these will help you restore your Remote Desktop connection without the black screen.

Let’s get started and ensure your Remote Desktop works smoothly again after the Windows 10 May update.

Quick Note Before You Begin

• Make sure your internet connection is stable on both the remote and local computers.
• Verify that the Remote Desktop feature is enabled on the target computer.
• Check that your Windows 10 version has installed the latest updates beyond the May update, as some fixes may have been released.
• Have administrative access to the remote machine since some steps require changing system settings.

Step 1: Restart the Remote Computer

Sometimes, temporary glitches cause the black screen issue. Restarting the remote PC can clear out any temporary conflicts.

• Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your local PC.
• Select Sign out or Disconnect and then physically restart the remote PC if you have access.
• After the restart, try reconnecting via Remote Desktop.

Why this matters: Restarting refreshes the system memory and clears any hung processes that might block the Remote Desktop session.

Step 2: Update Display Drivers on the Remote PC

Display driver incompatibility is a common cause of the black screen after Windows updates. Updating drivers ensures compatibility with the new Windows version.

• On the remote computer, open the Device Manager. You can do this by pressing Windows + X and selecting Device Manager.
• Expand the Display adapters section.
• Right-click your graphics card and select Update driver.
• Choose Search automatically for updated driver software.
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.
• Restart the remote PC if prompted.

Why this matters: Updated drivers are optimized for new Windows updates and prevent display issues that cause the black screen.

Step 3: Disable Bitmap Caching in Remote Desktop Settings

Bitmap caching is designed to improve performance but can sometimes cause display problems after updates.

• Open the Remote Desktop Connection app on your local PC.
• Click on Show Options at the bottom left.
• Go to the Experience tab.
• Uncheck Persistent bitmap caching.
• Return to the General tab and connect again.

Why this matters: Disabling bitmap caching forces Remote Desktop to refresh visuals instead of loading potentially corrupted cached images.

Step 4: Change Remote Desktop Session Display Settings

Adjusting display settings can resolve screen rendering issues during Remote Desktop sessions.

• Before connecting, open the Remote Desktop Connection app.
• Click Show Options.
• Go to the Display tab.
• Lower the resolution slider to a smaller resolution than your usual screen.
• Uncheck Use all my monitors for the remote session if you use multiple monitors.
• Try reconnecting to see if the black screen issue is resolved.

Why this matters: Higher resolutions and multi-monitor setups sometimes cause rendering issues. Reducing resolution or limiting monitors can help.

Step 5: Restart Remote Desktop Services

Sometimes the Remote Desktop services on the remote PC might be stuck or facing issues.

• On the remote PC, press Windows + R, type services.msc, and press Enter.
• Scroll down and locate Remote Desktop Services.
• Right-click it and choose Restart.
• Also, find Remote Desktop Services UserMode Port Redirector and restart it if available.
• Try reconnecting after restarting these services.

Why this matters: Restarting services refreshes Remote Desktop functionality and can clear issues causing the black screen.

Step 6: Disable Hardware Graphics Acceleration (Advanced)

If the black screen persists, disabling hardware graphics acceleration on the remote machine can help.

• On the remote PC, press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
• Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftAvalon.Graphics
• If the Avalon.Graphics key doesn’t exist, right-click Microsoft, select New > Key, and name it Avalon.Graphics.
• Inside Avalon.Graphics, right-click on the right pane, select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it DisableHWAcceleration.
• Double-click the new value and set the data to 1.
• Close the Registry Editor and restart the remote PC.

Why this matters: Disabling hardware acceleration forces Windows to use software rendering, which can solve graphics issues causing black screens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I see a black screen but can still hear sounds from the remote PC?

This happens when the Remote Desktop session connects but the display fails to render properly. It usually indicates a graphics or driver issue.

Can this issue happen on older versions of Windows?

While less common, similar black screen problems can occur after updates on older Windows versions due to driver or Remote Desktop client conflicts.

Is it safe to edit the registry as suggested?

Yes, but always create a backup before making changes. Incorrect registry edits can cause system issues.

Will disabling bitmap caching affect my Remote Desktop performance?

It may slightly reduce performance but often resolves display issues, making it a worthwhile trade-off.

Could antivirus software cause this black screen?

Some security programs may interfere with Remote Desktop. Temporarily disabling them can help identify if they are the cause.

When Nothing Works

If you have followed all steps and still face the black screen issue, consider these final options:

• Use an alternative remote access tool: Programs like TeamViewer or AnyDesk can provide temporary access.
• Perform a system restore: Revert your remote PC to a state before the May update if possible.
• Contact Microsoft Support: Visit the official Microsoft Support page for personalized help.
• Check Windows update history: Sometimes, Microsoft releases patches for known bugs after major updates.

Conclusion

The Remote Desktop black screen after the Windows 10 May update is a common but fixable problem. Starting with simple steps like restarting your PC and updating display drivers often resolves the issue.

Adjusting Remote Desktop settings and restarting related services provides additional fixes if the problem persists. For more stubborn cases, disabling hardware acceleration can be an effective solution.

Remember to keep your system updated and back up important settings before making advanced changes. With these steps, you should be able to restore your Remote Desktop connection and continue working without interruptions.