remote desktop connection broker is not ready for rpc communication

Mac Grediser

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27-11-2024

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Troubleshooting "Remote Desktop Connection Broker is not ready for RPC communication"

The error "Remote Desktop Connection Broker (RD Connection Broker) is not ready for RPC communication" prevents users from connecting to Remote Desktop Session Host (RD Session Host) servers via Remote Desktop. This frustrating issue stems from a problem with the communication between the RD Connection Broker and the RD Session Hosts, typically due to network connectivity, service misconfigurations, or underlying system problems. This article will guide you through troubleshooting this error.

Understanding the Components:

Before diving into solutions, let's clarify the roles:

• RD Connection Broker (RD CB): Acts as a central point for managing and routing Remote Desktop connections. It directs users to available RD Session Hosts.
• RD Session Host (RD SH): The server providing the actual remote desktop sessions.
• RPC (Remote Procedure Call): The underlying communication protocol used by the RD Connection Broker and RD Session Hosts to interact.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1. Check Network Connectivity:

   • Basic Connectivity: Ensure both the RD Connection Broker and RD Session Host servers have network connectivity and can ping each other. Verify DNS resolution between the servers.
   • Firewall: Temporarily disable firewalls on both servers to rule out firewall interference. If this resolves the issue, configure your firewalls to allow the necessary ports for RPC communication (typically ports 3389 and others used by RD). Consult Microsoft documentation for specific port requirements.
   • Network Segmentation: If servers reside in different network segments, verify proper routing and communication between them.

2. Verify RD Connection Broker Service:

   • Service Status: Check the status of the "Remote Desktop Services" service on the RD Connection Broker server. Ensure it's running. Restart the service if it's stopped or not responding.
   • Service Dependencies: Examine the service dependencies. Any failed dependent services will prevent the RD Connection Broker from functioning correctly. Address any dependency issues.
   • Event Viewer: Check the Windows Event Viewer (Application and System logs) on the RD Connection Broker server for errors related to the Remote Desktop Services or RPC services. These logs often pinpoint the root cause.

3. Verify RD Session Host Services:

   • Service Status: On the RD Session Host servers, confirm that the "Remote Desktop Services" service and related components are running. Restart these services if necessary.
   • License Server: Ensure the RD Session Hosts are correctly configured to communicate with a license server if applicable.

4. Check for Resource Conflicts:

   • Memory and CPU: Ensure the RD Connection Broker and RD Session Host servers have sufficient memory and CPU resources. High resource usage can impact service stability.
   • Disk Space: Check for sufficient free disk space on both servers. Low disk space can hinder service operation.

5. DNS Issues:

   • Reverse Lookup: Verify that both servers have proper reverse DNS lookup configured. Incorrect or missing reverse DNS entries can disrupt RPC communication.
   • DNS Server: Check the DNS server configuration on both servers. If using a custom DNS server, ensure it's functioning correctly.

6. Check for Corrupted Files:

   • System File Checker (SFC): Run the System File Checker (SFC) utility on both servers to scan for and repair corrupted system files: sfc /scannow (run this command from an elevated command prompt).
   • DISM: If SFC finds corrupted files but cannot repair them, use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to restore the system image.

7. Reinstall Remote Desktop Services:

   • Last Resort: As a last resort, consider uninstalling and reinstalling the Remote Desktop Services components on both the RD Connection Broker and RD Session Host servers. This should only be done after exhausting other options, as it involves a significant amount of downtime.

8. Check for Group Policy Conflicts:

   • Group Policy Settings: Review any Group Policy settings that might be affecting Remote Desktop Services. Incorrectly configured Group Policy settings can cause unexpected behavior.

Important Considerations:

• Documentation: Refer to Microsoft's official documentation for detailed information on configuring and troubleshooting Remote Desktop Services.
• Backups: Before making any significant changes, create system backups to ensure you can revert to a working state if necessary.
• Security: While temporarily disabling firewalls for troubleshooting, ensure you re-enable them and configure them correctly afterward to maintain security.

By systematically addressing these points, you should be able to identify and resolve the "Remote Desktop Connection Broker is not ready for RPC communication" error and restore your Remote Desktop connections. If the problem persists after trying these steps, consider seeking assistance from a qualified IT professional.