9 Ways to Fix "The Remote Computer Requires Network Level Authentication"

Are you seeing the error 'The remote computer requires network level authentication'? No worries, this is an easy to solve error. Keep reading this article as we discuss different methods that you can use to resolve this issue.

How to Fix "The Remote Computer Requires Network Level Authentication"

We understand how frustrating it could be to see "The remote computer requires network level authentication" when trying to troubleshoot an issue or configure a PC remotely.

But there is a solution to every problem, and here is how you can quickly fix the issue and establish a remote connection without any errors.

1. 1. Check Your Internet
2. 2. Troubleshoot Your Network
3. 3. Disable NLA Using System Properties
4. 4. Using PowerShell to Disable the NLA
5. 5. Disable NLA Using Windows Registry
6. 6. Use the Local Group Policy Editor To Configure NLA Settings
7. 7. Delete "Default.rdp" File
8. 8. Turn Off and on Your Network Adapters
9. 9. Reset Network Settings

Now, let's start to learn the first solution to the problem.

1. Check Your Internet

You may be seeing the error "The remote computer requires network level authentication" because of a loose internet connection or because you are currently facing downtime.

What you need to do is turn off your router, unplug all the network cables, and clean the dust, if there is any. Now, wait for a few minutes, insert them back into their ports, and check if you can access the internet.

If you can, try establishing a remote connection again using Windows Remote Access and see if it works now. But, if you cannot connect to the internet after unplugging and plugging the network cables back in, you should be facing downtime.

We would also advise you to connect other devices to your network, such as your smartphone over Wi-Fi, and see if you can access the internet. If you still cannot, it's a problem with your ISP, and you should reach out to them.

2. Troubleshoot Your Network

If you can connect to the internet without issues, but every time you try to establish a remote connection, you see the error "the remote computer requires network level authentication," you should run the Windows troubleshooter. The troubleshooter generally resolves any underlying issues that are causing the error.

Here is how to do that:

Step 1. Right-click on the Windows icon, and then open "Settings."

Step 2. Under "System," choose "Troubleshoot" on the right window.

Step 3. Click on "Other troubleshooters" and then select "Run" under "Internet Connections" on the right window.

Step 4. Once done, in the Troubleshooter window, scroll down and select "Run" under both "Incoming Connections" and also "Network Adapters."

3. Disable NLA Using System Properties

Disabling Network Level Authentication (NLA) should let you establish a remote connection without the error "The remote computer requires network level authentication."

Here is how to disable NLA using system properties:

Step 1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog box, enter the command "sysdm.cpl" and click on "OK."

Step 2. Open the "Remote" section in the "System Properties" and uncheck "Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication (recommended)."

Step 3. Now click "Apply" and then "OK," and restart your PC for the changes to take effect. 

You should try connecting to the remote computer and see if you are still facing the error "The remote computer requires network level authentication" or not. If this didn't help, continue reading for another solution to eliminate this error when establishing a remote connection to a desktop or a server client.

4. Using PowerShell to Disable the NLA

You can also disable NLA using PowerShell. Here is how to do that:

Step 1. Click on the "Start" menu and type "PowerShell."

Step 2. Select "Open as administrator."

Step 3. Enter the command $TargetMachine = "Target-Machine-Name"

Step 4. Press the "Enter" key to execute the command.

Step 5. Enter the following commands and hit the "Enter" key (Get-WmiObject -class Win32_TSGeneralSetting -Namespace root\cimv2\terminalservices -ComputerName $ComputerName -Filter "TerminalName='RDP-tcp'").SetUserAuthenticationRequired(0)

Step 6. Now restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

5. Disable NLA Using Windows Registry

The Windows registry is Windows' database of necessary Windows settings, app settings, hardware settings, and much more. You should never change or delete a registry file unless you are experiencing an error or want to change how a program operates. Changing or deleting a registry file can corrupt your PC.

But since you are facing the error, you can disable the NLA Windows Registry and connect to your desktop client or the server without an issue. Follow our instructions carefully to disable the NLA in the Windows Registry properly, or you can corrupt your Windows.

Step 1. Press Win+R to open the "Run" window.

Step 2. Type "Regedit" and press the "Enter" button to open the Registry Editor.

Step 3. Click on "File" and then select "Connect Network Registry."

Step 4. Enter the network details and give some time to connect it to the network device.

Step 5. Now, go to the following path HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp.

Step 6. Find "SecurityLayer" and "UserAuthentication" and set their values to "0".

Step 7. After you change the values, restart your computer.

6. Use the Local Group Policy Editor To Configure NLA Settings

Step 1. Press Win + R and enter the command "gpedit.msc" and press the "Enter" key to open "Local Group Policy Editor."

Step 2. In the Local Group Policy Editor, open "Computer Configuration," followed by "Administrative Templates."

Step 3. Now, locate "Windows Components" on the right window, and select "Remote Desktop Services."

Step 4. Open "Remote Desktop Session Host" under "Remote Desktop Services," and then open "Security."

Step 5. Double-click on the option "Require user authentication for remote connections by using Network Level Authentication" and select the "Disabled" checkbox.

Step 6. Now click on "Apply," then "OK," and restart your computer.

7. Delete "Default.rdp" File

If you find a Default.rdp file in "My Documents," press Ctrl + Shift + Del to delete it permanently. This should help fix the issue. If this doesn't help, disconnect your computer from the domain and then reconnect it again.

8. Turn Off and on Your Network Adapters

Your computer's network settings might not be functioning properly. By disabling and enabling it, it should work properly.

Here is how to fix your network settings by disabling and enabling the Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections in the "Network Connections" settings:

Step 1. Click on the search icon on your taskbar and type "View Network Connections."

Step 2. From the results, open "View Network Connections."

Step 3. Right-click on "Ethernet" and "Wi-Fi" and select "Disable."

Step 4. Now, right-click on "Ethernet" and "Wi-Fi" again and select "Enable."

9. Reset Network Settings

Another reason you could be seeing "The remote computer requires network level authentication" because of misconfigured network settings. This can be fixed by resetting your network settings to their default state.

Here is how to reset your network settings:

Step 1. Click on the "Start" button and type "Command Prompt."

Step 2. After the "Command Prompt" results emerge, click on "Open as administrator."

Step 3. Once the Command Prompt opens, enter the following command "netsh int ip set DNS" and press the "Enter" button.

Step 4. Once the command has been executed, enter another command "netsh winsock reset" and press the "Enter" button.

Is Disabling NLA Safe

As you see the error "The Remote Computer Requires Network Level Authentication," disabling NLA altogether will remove the error. But by turning it off, NLA, the server, or the desktop client that has NLA enabled and you are trying to connect can fail to authenticate your connection.

To establish a successful connection in the face of the error, you can turn off NLA to establish a successful connection.

Turning off NLA is generally safe if you connect to a valid and trusted address. If you connect to or accept a connection request from an untrusted source, it is dangerous, as you are authenticating their access to access and control your PC or server.

The Remote Computer Requires Network Level Authentication FAQ

This part lists some popular questions and answers here. If you get similar doubts, check them below. Hope they can help.

1. What is the purpose of NLA?

Network Level Authentication, also known as NLA, is used to authenticate remote desktop connections, and it also figures out what configuration will be best to use and establish the connection.

2. What causes NLA errors?

Sometimes, when the remote desktop connection is lost with the domain controller because it couldn't verify and authenticate the credentials, you will most likely see an NLA error.

3. How can I tell if a Remote Desktop has access to the server?

Open "Computer management," and then "Local Users and groups." Now, you can see who has access to the server by opening the "Administrators group" and "Remote Desktop Users group."