Alex Ruben
How To Troubleshoot Remote Desktop Connection Issues on Windows 10/11
If you’re getting that annoying “Remote Desktop can’t find the computer” error, you’re not alone. Sometimes it’s just because of misconfigured settings, wrong names, DNS issues, or network hiccups—stuff that’s kinda frustrating but fixable. Hopefully, this rundown helps you troubleshoot quickly so you can get back to connecting without all the fuss.
How to Fix Remote Desktop Cannot Find the Computer in Windows 10/11
Make sure Remote Desktop is enabled and your PC shows up
First off, remote desktop needs to be turned on in your Windows Settings, and your device’s name has to be correct, so it recognizes you when you try to connect. It’s kind of weird, but on some setups, even if you think you’ve enabled remote access, the PC doesn’t always register properly. Double-checking helps. Expect to see your computer’s name in the Remote Desktop section, and if not, it might be invisible to the network—especially on networks with stricter firewall rules or VPNs.
Check your network connectivity and IP address
-
Open Command Prompt by typing
cmdin Start. On some setups, it’s easier if you run it as administrator: right-click and choose Run as administrator. - Type
ipconfigand hit Enter. Look for your active IPv4 Address. If it’s missing or looks weird, that could be your problem because your PC isn’t visible on the network or you’re facing subnet issues.
Without a correct IP address, your remote session might not find the target PC. Expect to see something like 192.168.1.xxx. If it’s different or inconsistent (say, you have a floating IP or IPs changing often), that’s likely the cause.
Flush DNS cache to resolve name resolution issues
Sometimes, Windows has old DNS info messing with name resolution. To fix this, open Command Prompt as above, then run ipconfig /flushdns. This clears cached DNS entries and can fix “can’t find computer” errors if they’re DNS related.
This trick worked for me a couple of times, especially after network changes or VPN connections—stuff tends to get cached and cause head-scratching when it shouldn’t.
Verify Windows Firewall and Remote Desktop permissions
- In Control Panel, go to System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.
- On the left, click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall. Find Remote Desktop in the list and make sure both private and public networks have the box checked.
- If not, click Change settings and enable it. On some setups, Windows Firewall blocks remote access even if you think you’ve set it up correctly—especially on slightly more locked-down corporate networks.
Notes: Sometimes, third-party antivirus or firewall software can block Remote Desktop. If you have something different installed, double-check those settings too.
Make sure your device is discoverable on the network
Sometimes, the computer isn’t showing up because it isn’t set to be discoverable. Check Network Settings under Network & Internet > Advanced Network Settings and ensure network discovery is turned on.
In Windows 11, go to Settings > Network & Internet > Advanced network settings. On Windows 10, it’s under Network and Sharing Center. Also, confirm you’re on a private network—if it’s set to public, that can limit discovery.
Address VPN or network mix-ups
If using a VPN or a corporate network, these can block or obscure your device on the network. Sometimes disconnecting VPNs or switching to a home Wi-Fi network resets visibility and allows Remote Desktop to find your machine. On some machines, VPNs cause random IP issues or block ports you need, so if nothing else works, disable VPNs, then try again.
Extra tips & common pitfalls
- Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi or network segment—they won’t find each other over different networks or subnets unless configured for bridging.
- If Windows updates got installed lately, check for any patch notes if Remote Desktop permissions or settings changed.
- Check if a restart helps—sometimes, Windows just needs to reset things after enabling services or changing settings. It’s weird but true.
Summary
- Double-check Remote Desktop enabled under Settings > System > Remote Desktop
- Use
ipconfigto verify your IP address - Run
ipconfig /flushdnsif name resolution is acting up - Ensure Windows Firewall isn’t blocking Remote Desktop
- Make sure your network discovery is turned on & you’re on a private network
- Consider VPN or network complications if the device isn’t showing up
Wrap-up
Basically, a lot of this comes down to making sure your Windows settings, firewall, and network info are properly aligned. It’s kind of a pain because Windows can be inconsistent, but with these steps, most of the common issues get cleared up. Sometimes, just restarting or toggling a setting makes all the difference. Fingers crossed this shaves off a few hours for someone, and if it gets one connection fixed, that’s a win in my book.