Fixed: RDP The Number of Connections to This Computer Is Limited

What is the maximum number of Remote Desktop connections?

Normally, a Windows OS will only allow one active user at a time, which implies one RDP session, while a Windows Server OS will enable up to two free RDP sessions per license. If you wish to allow several remote desktop connections to a single PC, you must purchase additional CALs.

How to fix RDP “The number of connections to this computer is limited”

If your RDP connection has not surpassed the number of connections permitted by Microsoft but you still see the RDP "The number of connections to this machine is limited" problem notice, you can resolve it using one of the three ways listed below.

Fix 1. Check the currently-connected user number

The problem can be caused because a regular RDP user is still logged in. Some users just close the RDP program leaving their session running in a disconnected state as opposed to actually logging out. You can go to check the currently-connected user number on the remote computer.

Step 1. Press Ctrl+ Shift+ Esc at the same time to open Task Manager, then go to the Users tab. There you will get users currently active.

Step 2. Simply click on any column of the list, say, User, then right-click on it and select Session. The list will then show a session column with the types of connections to remote, such as RDP, console, terminal, or services, and so on.

Step 3. Then you can distinguish which users are connected via an RDP connection. Make sure their statuses are disconnected.

Fix 2. Enable multiple remote desktop connections via GPO

This can also be a Policy error. Maybe somehow you changed the Group Policy to allow multiple connections and get the RDP “The number of connections to this computer is limited” fixed.

Step 1. Click the Search button next to the start menu then enter “gpedit.msc”.

Step 2. Navigate here: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session host > Connections.

Step 3. On the right pane, find and double-click Limit Number of Connections.

Step 4. You can either set it to Enabled and set the number to the limit you wish to have.

Step 5. Again, on the right pane of Connections, find and double-click Restrict Remote Desktop Services users to a single Remote Desktop Services session.

Step 6. Set it to Disabled to turn off the user restrictions.

Step 7. Reboot the computer to make the changes apply.

Fix 3. Turn to the best RDP alternative

The final solution for you is to turn to an RDP alternative. Here we recommend the best one AnyViewer. It is a free remote desktop program for Windows that enables safe, worldwide access to your devices. It is seen as the best RDP alternative because:

AnyViewer is simpler to use. AnyViewer does not require an IP address or a computer name to establish remote connections, but Remote Desktop does.

AnyViewer has fewer constraints. Remote Desktop needs both machines to be on the same network, unless you use a VPN, whereas AnyViewer can be used over the internet.

AnyViewer works well with more versions of Windows. Remote Desktop does not support connecting to PCs running Windows Home and Standard editions, while AnyViewer does.

Step 1. On both computers, download, install, and launch AnyViewer. Go to Log in on the Controller computer, and then click Sign up (if you have already signed up on its official website, you can log in directly).

Step 2. Fill out the signup form.

Step 3. You should now see that you have successfully logged into AnyViewer. Your device will be assigned to the account to which you have logged in automatically.

Step 4. Sign in with the same AnyViewer account on both computers, then click the One-click control for unattended remote access.

Step 5. The remote desktop will appear once the connection is established. After that, you have complete control over it.

Notes:✎...

It is recommended to upgrade your account to a Professional or Enterprise plan. What can a professional or enterprise plan brings to you:

More devices can be assigned to the same account for unattended remote support.

Connect in privacy mode to protect your privacy. This means the Controller can black out the remote PC screen and disable the remote keyboard and mouse click.

File transfer speed will be increased. Transfer speed is 500 KB/s for a free account and up to 10 MB/s for a paid account.

Closing words

If you are receiving the RDP “The number of connections to this computer is limited” error, try the three solutions provided in this post to fix it. But you’re recommended to try AnyViewer directly, as it has so many advantages over RDP.