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Workstations are unavailable via remote connection and showing offline in Server 2012 Essentials

Markieboy1
Markieboy1 asked
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I look after a company with a Windows Server 2012 Essentials server and Windows 10 Workstations.

All of a sudden, all but one of the workstations and the server is unavailable via the remote desktop connection.

On the dashboard of the Server, they are also listed as Offline (Except one workstation and server) under devices.

They seem to be working OK otherwise.  They can access files on the server and are using re-directed folders that I believe are working fine too.

I am going on-Site on Wednesday and wondering if anybody has any ideas what the issue may be or where to start looking?

Thanks in advance.
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A lack of information provides a lack of a decent solution.
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Commented:

sounds like a windows firewall issue, if it's not that see if you dropping your user account into remote desktop users rectifies the issue.


What's the error you're getting when you try to remote on?

strivoliIT Manager
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Commented:
Consider removing a Workstation from the Doamin and readd it.
Markieboy1Owner

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Commented:
Thanks Alex. I'll turn off the Windows Firewall for testing purposes and see if it helps.

The error - when using remote desktop connection  - is attached.

I will also try removing and re-adding a workstation on Wednesday if not solved by then.
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AlexA lack of information provides a lack of a decent solution.
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Commented:

that's connecting to a remote gateway server, which I'm assuming it's the SBS box itself. 


Check the remote gateway service and restart it if it's stopped.

Markieboy1Owner

Author

Commented:
Thanks. I can remotely access the server and one other workstation.

The error I attached comes when trying to connect to any of the other workstations that say they are offline on the server's dashboard or if I visit the Remote Web Access website.

One thing I am going to check on Wednesday is what version of Windows 10 the workstation that allows access is running

Just wondering if this is a feature update cock-up or something along those lines and I am chasing a ghost!
Markieboy1Owner

Author

Commented:
OK, Issue resolved.

I was right with my hunch it had something to do with a Windows 10 feature update. I checked the one Workstation that was working, and it was on V1809. The rest were on V1903.

The connector software on the V1903 workstations was saying they were unable to connect to the server.

A quick Google confirmed that V1903 broke the connector software, and the general solution was to uninstall and re-install it.

I, therefore, did this and all is now working again. Didn't have the time or ability - busy office - to update to V1909  but if they break again, at least it is a pretty easy (potential) fix.

Thanks for your suggestions. They helped get me to the solution.