Fix Remote Desktop Credentials Did Not Work [6 Methods]

List of content you will read in this article:

Tired of getting the "Your credentials did not work" message when accessing remote desktops? Let me tell you something, it happens to everyone! We know this is an annoying situation that affects both IT administrators and remote workers or any other person who want a remote desktop connection. Today, the complexity of network systems is increasing due to the use of increased security features like as Windows Hello for Business and Entra ID. That`s why debugging credential issues became more and more difficult. In this blog post, we'll look at the most common causes of this error message and suggest concrete remedies to get you back up and running smoothly. So, if you want to know how to fix remote desktop credentials did not work, follow us till the end. 

What Does "Your Credentials Did Not Work" Mean When Using Remote Desktop?

Have you ever tried to access a distant computer and received the annoying "Your credentials did not work" error? This is common when using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and can bother you. But what is this error? Actually, this message indicates that the server's security settings denied your login attempt. This could be due to an invalid account or password, expired credentials, or more complex network or security policy difficulties. In the following sections, we'll look at the most prevalent reasons of this issue and tell you how to fix remote desktop credentials did not work.

Why you see "Your Credentials Did Not Work" Error?

When you`re trying to connect to a remote desktop, several reasons can cause this error. Before you know how to fix this error, you should know the reasons that cause it. Let`s see what they are:

Incorrect or Mismatched Credentials

• Password issues: Ensure that the password you are entering is correct, has not expired, and has not been reset. 
• Case Sensitivity: Double-check that your username and password are correctly capitalized. 
• Domain versus local accounts: Check that you are using the correct domain or local account for the remote connection. 
• Username discrepancy: If you recently changed your system username but did not update your RDP credentials, this mismatch may cause the problem. 

Windows Security Settings

• Remote Desktop Services: Ensure that Remote Desktop Services is enabled on the target device.
• Firewall restrictions: Check if the Windows Firewall obstructs RDP connections. You may need to make an exception for RDP. 
• User Rights: Ensure your user account has the required rights to log in remotely. 
• Security Policies: Network-level authentication or other security restrictions may be interfering with the RDP connection. 

Network Connectivity Issues

• DNS issues: Incorrect DNS settings can prevent RDP connections.
• Network delay: Excessive latency or packet loss might ruin an RDP session.
• Network authentication: Issues with domain login or Kerberos could be generating trouble. 

Other Potential Causes

• Remote Desktop client issues: An old or incorrectly configured Remote Desktop client may contribute to the issue.
• Third-party software interference: Antivirus or firewall software may be obstructing the RDP connection.
• Remote Desktop Licensing: Ensure that it is properly configured.

Ways to fix Your credentials did not work error

Understanding how to resolve the "Your credentials did not work" problem is critical for everyone who uses remote desktop connections. It is not difficult; all you need to do is discover the prevalent reasons and probable solutions and then employ the approaches we have described here. As a result, reducing downtime and increasing productivity is as simple as controlling your remote access. 

1. Verify Credentials

Ensuring the accuracy of your credentials is critical while debugging the "Your credentials did not work" problem. Even tiny errors, such as wrong capitalization or unnecessary spaces, can hinder a successful login.

Steps:

• Double-check username and password:  Carefully review the username and password that you entered for any errors to prevent mistakes.
• Consider case sensitivity. Some systems are case-sensitive and, therefore use proper capitalization.
• Verify the domain (if applicable): If you're connecting to a domain-joined device, make sure the correct domain is supplied.
• Try logging in with a different account: If possible, attempt to log in with a different account to isolate the issue.

2. Update Saved Credentials

Did you change your password recently? In this way, the saved credentials stored by the Remote Desktop Connection client can be outdated. So, you need to consider the following steps:

Steps:

1. Access the Remote Desktop Connection settings: Open the Remote Desktop Connection window and select "Show Options."
2. Delete the saved credentials: To erase stored credentials, go to the "General" page and select "Delete".
3. Reconnect with new credentials: Reestablish the connection and enter the revised password.

3. Check Account Lockout

Repeated failed login attempts can lead to account lockout. Here are the steps you need for this method to fix remote desktop credentials did not work:

Steps:

1. Attempt direct login: Try signing in directly to the distant machine to see whether the account is locked.
2. Unlock account (if possible): If you have access to the system, unlock the account using the local user management tools.
3. Contact the administrator: If you are unable to unlock the account, please contact your system administrator for help.

4. Grant Remote Access Permissions

To access a remote system, your user account must have the necessary permissions. In this way, you need to follow these steps:

Steps:

1. Contact the system administrator: Request the necessary permissions from the system administrator.
2. Verify the user group membership: Confirm that your user account belongs to the proper group (e.g., Remote Desktop Users) for remote access.
3. Check the local security policy (for advanced users): If you have administrator privileges, verify the local security policy to ensure that the settings are correct.

5. Check Firewall Settings

Firewall configurations can sometimes interfere with remote desktop connections.

Steps:

1. Review the local firewall: Check your local machine's firewall settings to ensure they accept Remote Desktop traffic.
2. Inspect the distant firewall: Ensure that the firewall on the remote workstation allows incoming distant Desktop connections.
3. Temporarily deactivate firewall (with caution): Disable the firewall on both PCs temporarily for troubleshooting purposes, then re-enable it.

6. Verify Target System

Ensure you are attempting to connect to the correct system.

Steps:

1. Confirm the computer's name or IP address: Double-check the target machine's specifications.
2. Ping the machine: Use the ping command to check network connectivity.
3. Check the network connectivity: Ensure that the two machines have a steady network connection.

Additional Considerations

• Restart Remote Desktop Service: If the problem persists, restart the Remote Desktop Service on the remote workstation.
• Update Remote Desktop Client: Make sure you're running the most recent version of the Remote Desktop client.
• Check for network-related issues: Network difficulties such as DNS failures and router configurations might have an influence on remote connections.

Conclusion

When attempting to access a remote desktop, you may receive the "Your credentials did not work" message, which can be annoying, but it is usually a fixable problem. Incorrect or obsolete credentials, account lockouts, missing permissions, firewall restrictions, and connection difficulties are all common causes. You may generally remedy the problem by double-checking your login details, verifying account status, and reviewing network and security configurations. If these instructions do not work, consider contacting your system administrator. Remember, patience and thorough troubleshooting are essential for restoring access to your remote desktop.