Remote Desktop Error Code 0x104: 5 Easy Ways to Fix It

RDP or Remote Desktop Protocol, as the name suggests, allows users to access another computer remotely, i.e., without being physically present. But the connection is not as stable as many would imagine, with Error code 0x104 frequently encountered by some.

This poses a major problem, given that the feature to remotely gain access to the PC has gained prominence over the years. Though there are several third-party apps to establish remote access, let’s first try to fix the Error code 0x104 with Microsoft remote desktop.

What is error code 0x4 in Microsoft Remote Desktop?

As per the error message, Error code 0x104 arises when Windows can’t find the remote PC, and subsequently, the connection cannot be established. Here are a few reasons you might be getting the error:

• The Remote Desktop feature is disabled: For the feature to work, you must first enable Remote Access in Windows. And if it’s disabled, the error will show up.
• Misconfigured firewall settings: You may come across Error code 0x104 if the firewall settings are misconfigured.
• Network Discovery is turned off: Enabling Network Discovery is critical for your PC to identify others on the network and remotely connect to them.
• Incorrect DNS server: An incorrect DNS is just as likely to trigger the error, but this can easily be fixed.

How can I fix error code 0x104?

Before we head to the slightly complex solutions, here are a few quick ones to try:

• Turn on the Airplane Mode on the device you are using to connect to the remote desktop, disable it in 15-30 seconds, and then try establishing a connection.
• Change the name of the exchange server to something simple in case the current one is lengthy or intricate.
• When remotely connecting to the desktop via a mobile phone, try switching the network type. Say, if you are one 4G, try 3G, 4G LTE, or 5G if available.
• Try establishing a connection using the PC’s IP address (check in the desktop settings) instead of the PC name, and verify if Error code 0x104 is fixed.
• Make sure Port Forwarding is enabled on your router, and contact the ISP (Internet Service Provider) to help configure a port forwarding rule for mapping an external port using TCP 3389.
• If you are using a VPN while trying to remotely access the PC, disable it.

If these don’t work, move to the ones listed next.

1. Make sure Remote Desktop is enabled

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings, and in the System tab, click on Remote Desktop on the right.
2. Now, enable the toggle for Remote Desktop.

If the Remote Desktop feature was disabled recently, you might get Error code 0x104 while trying to remotely access the PC.

2. Enable Network Discovery

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings, select Network & Internet from the navigation pane, and click on Advanced network settings.
2. Click on Advanced sharing settings on the right.
3. Now, make sure Network discovery is turned on under both Private networks and Public networks.

3. Modify firewall settings

1. Press Windows + S to open Search, type Windows Defender Firewall in the text field, and click on the relevant search result.
2. Click on Advanced settings on the left.
3. Choose Inbound Rules from the navigation pane, right-click on Remote Assistance (RA Server TCP-In), and choose Enable Rule.
4. Similarly, enable Remote Desktop – User Mode (TCP-In) and Remote Desktop – User Mode (UDP-In) rules, while making sure the Ports column next to both reads 3389.

After you have made the changes, check whether the Error code 0x104 while using Remote Desktop is fixed. If not, head to the next solution.

4. Run the critical services

1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type services.msc in the text field, and hit Enter.
2. Locate the Remote Desktop Services entry, right-click on it, and choose Properties.
3. Now, select Automatic from the Startup type dropdown menu, click on the Start button, and after the service starts running, click OK to save the changes.
4. Similarly, run the Remote Access Auto Configuration Manager service and configure it to run automatically at startup.

5. Change network settings

1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type ncpa.cpl, and click OK.
2. Right-click on the active network adapter and choose Properties.
3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and again click Properties.
4. Choose the Obtain DNS server address automatically option, and click OK to save the changes.

That’s it! If the previous solutions didn’t work, settings the DNS service to automatic should help fix Error code 0x104 in Windows.

Also, do not forget to check the best remote desktop software for gaming without any lags or drops in FPS. For regular use, most recommend Mikogo, a popular and easy-to-use alternative. It has many useful features, like hosting meetings, a session scheduler, and session recording.

Do tell us which fix worked for you in the comments section below.