FIX: Remote Computer Requires Network Level Authentication (NLA)

If you cannot connect through Remote Desktop Connection to another computer because “The remote computer requires Network Level Authentication (NLA)”, continue reading below to fix the problem.

Problem in Details: Unable to connect to remote computer using Remote Desktop Connection with error “The remote computer that you are trying to connect to requires Network Level Authentication (NLA), but your Windows domain controller cannot be contacted to perform NLA. If you are an administrator on the remote computer, you can disable NLA by using the options on the Remote tab of the System Properties dialog box”.

How to FIX: The remote computer requires Network Level Authentication (NLA) error in RDP. *

* Note: The following methods can be applied to Windows Server 2019, 2016 & Windows 10 Pro.

Method 1. Disable Network Level Authentication (NLA) in Remote settings.

(Apply the below steps on the remote computer or server, to which you want to connect)

1. Open Explorer, right-click on This PC icon and select Properties.

2. Open Remote settings.

3. Uncheck the option Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication (recommended) and click OK

4. Try to connect to the remote computer through RDP.

Method 2. Disable Network Level Authentication (NLA) Requirement in Registry.

(Apply the below steps on the remote computer to which you want to connect)

1. Press Windows + R keys to open the run command box.
2. Type regedit  and press Enter.

3. In Registry Editor navigate to the following key:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlTerminal ServerWinStationsRDP-Tcp

4. At the right-pane double-click at UserAuthentication REG_DWORD value.

5. Set the Value Data to 0 and click OK.

Method 3: Disable Network Level Authentication (NLA) in Group Policy.

(Apply the below steps on the remote computer to which you want to connect)

1. Open the Group Policy Editor. To do that:

1. Press simultaneously the Windows + R keys to open the run command box.
2. Type gpedit.msc & press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.

3. At the left pane navigate to:

• Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Security

4. At the right-pane, open the “Require user authentication for remote connections by using Network Level Authentication” policy.

5. Select Disabled and click OK. *

* Important: Disabling this policy setting provides less security because user authentication will occur later in the remote connection process.

That’s all folks! Did it work for you?
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