Microsoft remote desktop mac unable to connect to remote pc

Microsoft’s Remote Desktop program enables remote sharing between two different operating systems. Remote Desktop, which enables a Mac user or administrator to access Windows and/or mobile devices and servers, makes these contemporary, digital requirements for the work-from-home workforce quite simple.

By using this remote desktop connection Mac tool, users can manage programs and apps with the utmost ease and transfer files to computers that don’t run the same operating system.

Despite the fact that this flexibility is a huge plus, users may encounter difficulties if their Remote Desktop connection for Mac fails with “error code 0x204” on their Mac device (laptops, desktops, or otherwise.)

Notably, connecting Macs to PCs tends to cause this problem more often than PCs to PCs.

In conclusion, Microsoft Remote Desktop error 0x204 Mac issues can have a wide range of root causes and finding the cause may take a while. The instructions for many of these common causes are provided in the guide below.

Why is the connection to my remote desktop not working?

According to user reports, there are numerous variations of the remote desktop connection problem. The common causes of some of them are listed below:

• One of these issues prevents Remote Desktop from connecting to the remote computer. OS Windows 10: On occasion, your computer might display this error message. Try each of the solutions in this article if you run into this issue.
• RDP client for Windows 10 not functioning: On occasion, the RDP client on your PC won’t function. This might be a result of how your system is set up. Make sure you’re utilizing a private network to fix that.
• The remote computer cannot be reached via RDP on this computer: This is yet another typical RDP issue.
• After upgrading to Windows 10, if Remote Desktop is not functioning, it is possible that a Windows update may have caused the problem. The problem can be resolved by removing the update.
• Please make sure Remote Desktop is turned on if you can’t connect to the remote PC. Another typical Remote Desktop issue is this one. But with one of our solutions, you ought to be able to resolve the issue.
• Username and password for Windows 10 Remote Desktop were invalid: Simply deleting your saved credentials may be all that is necessary to resolve this error if it occurs on your computer.
• Error: “Remote Desktop cannot connect,” “Certificate expired invalid,” and “in the allotted time” When attempting to use the Remote Desktop feature, a number of errors may appear. But with one of our solutions, you ought to be able to fix them.
• Connecting to Remote Desktop via the Internet is unsuccessful: This is yet another issue with the Remote Desktop feature. In the event that Remote Desktop is unable to connect, check your firewall and antivirus settings. 

How to fix the 0x204 error code in Microsoft Remote Desktop

We provide several quick solutions to the error code in the section that follows: 0x204 when trying to connect via Remote Desktop to a PC from a Mac device (like an iPhone, iPad or iOS.)

Solution 1: Verify that your PC has Remote Desktop enabled.

The most frequent reason for Microsoft Remote Desktop not working on Mac (error code 0x204) is frequently quite straightforward: the PC computer users are attempting to access doesn’t have the Remote Desktop feature enabled.

Both devices must support the feature in order to establish a remote desktop connection. Connection failure follows naturally if one of the devices isn’t using Microsoft’s proprietary protocol.

• Step 1: While operating the PC you want to connect to, press Win+R to launch the Run window.
• Step 2: Type SystemPropertiesRemote.exe into the address bar and press Enter.
• Step 3: Choose the Remote tab and check the box next to “Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer.”
• Step 4: Press Apply to save your changes and move on.
• Step 5: Verify that the error code 0x204 is still displayed on your Mac.

Solution 2: Enable Windows Firewall to accept connections from Remote Desktop clients 

A firewall may be the most likely reason for the unfavorable scenario (be it 3rd-party or native to the operating system.) A firewall can also prevent remote interoperability as an extra safety measure while protecting your computer from malicious connections.

• Step 1: On your computer, press Win + R to bring up the Run dialog.
• Step 2: Type “firewall.cpl” (shown below.)
• Step 3: Press the Enter key.
• Step 4: Select “Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall” (located in the sidebar of the Windows Defender Firewall screen.)
• Step 5: Locate the items “Remote Assistance,” “Remote Desktop,” and “Remote Desktop (WebSocket)” from the “Allowed apps and features” section.
• Step 6: Make sure the “Private” and “Public” boxes are checked.
• Step 7: Press OK to save your changes and move on.
• Step 8: Verify that the error code 0x204 has been fixed (if it persists, try the solution listed below.)

Solution 3: Create Windows Remote Assistance invitations 

• Step 1: On the computer, press Win+R to launch the Run dialog box once more.
• Step 2: Run “msra.exe.”
• Step 3: Press the Enter key.
• Step 4: From the Windows Remote Assistant screen, select “Invite someone you trust to help you.”
• Step 5: Select “Save this invitation as a file.”
• Step 6: Establish the save path for the invitation.
• Step 7: Select Save.
• Step 8: To try a new remote connection from a Mac to a PC (the error should now be fixed; if it still occurs, try the following fix).

Solution 4: Turn off antivirus security temporarily.

The 0x204 Remote Desktop Mac error code is frequently brought on by antivirus software. If the antivirus program offers network monitoring configuration features, this is particularly likely.

Some antivirus programs may interpret remote connection attempts as coming from people who aren’t authorized or have bad intentions. If so, Microsoft Remote Desktop error code 0x204 will most likely occur and the program’s defenses will need to be changed to allow such connections. In that case, turning off the protection modules might be beneficial. Check to see if error code 0x204 persists after being disabled.

Solution 5: Forward Remote Desktop port 3389

The 3389 port should be double-checked to ensure that it is open on both ends, particularly on the Mac side of the connection (Network Utility > Port Scan > Only test ports between 3389 and 3389).

As an alternative, users may need to set up their router to forward port 3389 for remote desktop access.

Solution 6: Destroy Mac’s Remote Desktop temporary folder

• Step 1: On the Mac, click the Finder icon in the Dock.
• Step 2: Type “group containers” into the search field (see below.)
• Step 3: Press Enter (check that “This Mac” rather than a specific directory is chosen in the search settings area.)
• Step 4: Locate and open the Group Containers folder.
• Step 5: Find the “UBF8T346G9.com.microsoft.rdc” folder and right-click it.
• Step 6: Select “Move to Trash” from the context menu.
• Step 7: Restart your Mac and check to see if the Remote Desktop error code 0x204 is fixed. 

Conclusion: 

Users should try reinstalling the Remote Desktop client on the Mac if none of the aforementioned fixes work to fix the issue. The client won’t likely need to be reinstalled.

The challenge in resolving error code: 0x204 on a Mac typically starts from a problem at the PC end of the connection. Try out the various techniques mentioned above, which should (hopefully) enable you to utilize the Remote Desktop feature between your Mac and PC. 

General FAQs: