5 Ways to Fix Remote Desktop Stuck on "Please Wait" in Windows 10 & 11

This post illustrates 5 solutions for “Remote Desktop stuck on please wait on Windows 10” and provides a better way to remote access.

Ellie

By Ellie / Updated on December 13, 2024

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How do I get out of please wait screen on Remote Desktop?

 

I used RDP to remote access my work computer (both Win 10) on my home computer, but it stuck on please wait screen on my Windows 10 for days (I thought it would fix itself). Any suggestions for Remote Desktop 'Please wait' blue screen?”

- Question from Microsoft Community

Please Wait

RDP (Microsoft Remote Desktop), a built-in feature in Windows, facilitates remote access to a PC from another PC, offering tremendous convenience. However, encountering the Remote Desktop "Please wait" error can be frustrating for users. Despite rebooting the PC, many users find the issue persists, rendering the feature seemingly useless.

How to fix Remote Desktop stuck on "Please wait" in Windows 10 and 11 [5 solutions]

If you've encountered the same issue, fret not. Here are five solutions to help you overcome the problem of Remote Desktop stuck on "Please wait" in Windows 10 and 11.

Solution 1. Update to the latest version on the client PC

Actually, the issue can be fixed by checking the update. Now let's act the operations together.

Step 1. Press Win + I to open Settings and then find Update and Security.

Find Updates And Security

Step 2. Check for updates, download, and install. Finally, Reboot the PC.

Update Windows Versions

After that, this solution can effectively solve the RDP stuck on "Please wait" error.

Solution 2. Run Windows Powershell

Another possible solution to fix the issue is by running the following command:

Step 1. Search Powershell in the search box and then right-click, and select Run as administrator.

Windows Powershell

Step 2. Type the following command and after the completion, check if the issue persists.

$ID=query session /SERVER:WSMC027|select -skip 1|%{$_.Split(' ',[System.StringSplitOptions]::RemoveEmptyEntries)}

Disconnect-RDUser -HostServer WSMC027 -UnifiedSessionID $ID[8] -Force

exit 0

Solution 3. Run CMD to kill the program

Sometimes if the user leaves the connection and puts the PC to sleep, then the Remote Desktop will get stuck on Please wait. The better way for this is to kill the process and then restart the program.

Step 1. Search cmd in the search box and then right-click, select Run as administrator.

Run As Administrator

Step 2. Type taskkill /f /im msrdc.exe and press Enter key.

Task Kill

Step 3. Reboot the PC and check if the issue has been solved or not.

Solution 4. Perform clean boot

Clean Boot starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers and startup programs so you can figure out if a background program is interfering with the running program.

Step 1. Search System Configuration in the search box and then open it.

System Configuration

Step 2. Locate Services and then click on Hide all Microsoft services.

Hide All Microsoft

Step 3. Check all the services on the list and click on OK.

Step 4. Select Restart.

Restart System Configuration

Step 5. Then the clean boot is successful after restarting.

Restarting

Solution 5. Reconnect to the object user

If the object user in the connection process is not connected at the same time or something is wrong with the process of connecting, the RDP issue will also appear. Therefore, reconnecting can be a shot worthy to try.

Step 1. Connect via RDC to a different account.

Step 2. Send the "Ctrl + ALT + Del" command to the remote computer and then click on Task Manager.

Task Manager

Step 3. Navigate to users. Locate the user account that has hung and you cannot connect to it. Right-click on the user name and select Connect.

Connect

Step 4. Type in the password to connect to the desired account.

Bonus tip: Try an error-free RDP alternative 

If the methods mentioned above haven't resolved the issue of Remote Desktop stuck on "Please wait" on Windows 10 and 11, there's no need to fret. Encountering RDP errors is not uncommon. In such instances, you might wonder, "Is there an alternative to RDP?" Absolutely! Enter AnyViewer.

AnyViewer is free software for remote access and control, offering rapid connections, flexible connection methods, and user-friendly operation. It is recommended as the RDP alternative for the following reasons:

  • Easy setup & configuration: AnyViewer offers a user-friendly interface and straightforward setup process, making it accessible to users with varying technical expertise. On the other hand, RDP may require advanced configuration settings and firewall adjustments, which can be daunting for less experienced users.

  • Remote access anywhere: AnyViewer enables remote access from anywhere with an internet connection, allowing users to control their devices even when they are not on the same network. RDP, however, typically requires users to be on the same local network or have complex VPN configurations for remote access.

  • Feature-rich collaboration tools: AnyViewer provides a range of collaboration features such as text chat, screen sharing, and mobile screen mirroring, facilitating efficient teamwork and communication. While RDP offers basic remote desktop access, it lacks many of the advanced collaboration tools offered by AnyViewer.

Before connections:

  • Make sure the network is accessible.
  • Download and install AnyViewer by clicking the download button.
Download Freeware Win PCs & Server
Secure Download

✔ Note: You can use AnyViewer to access remote computers from mobile devices as well; please download the mobile app from Google Play on Android device or App Store on iPhone/iPad. 

Step 1. Install AnyViewer and then open it. Go to the “Log in” tab, and click on “Sign up”.

Log in AnyViewer

Step 2. Fill in the information to sign up and now you can see your interface in the following picture. Your device will automatically be assigned to the account you’ve logged in to.

Free Editions

Step 3. If you log into the same account on another device, there will be 2 devices in the “My devices” tab.  On your local device, go to "Device", click the PC that you need to control, and click "One-click control" to achieve unattended access with one click. 

One-click Control

Notes:
By upgrading to a Professional or Enterprise plan, you'll unlock the following benefits:
Increased login device limit: Assign multiple devices to a single account for seamless control.
Unlimited simultaneous sessions: Control multiple computers simultaneously from one device.
Enhanced privacy mode: Safeguard your privacy by blackening the screen of the remote PC and disabling its keyboard and mouse.
High-speed file transfer: Transfer an unlimited number of files at speeds of up to 10 MB/s.
Improved device management: Organize devices into groups and create additional screen walls for more efficient device management.

Conclusion

In conclusion, encountering the Remote Desktop stuck on "Please wait" in Windows 10 and 11 can be a frustrating experience for users seeking seamless remote access. However, there are multiple solutions available to address this issue effectively. From updating the client PC and running PowerShell commands to performing clean boots and reconnecting to the user account, users have various troubleshooting methods at their disposal. Additionally, exploring alternative remote access solutions like AnyViewer can offer a smoother and more feature-rich experience for users facing persistent RDP errors.

By implementing these solutions, users can overcome the challenges associated with Remote Desktop and ensure uninterrupted remote access to their devices.