Windows Server Remote App disconnecting mid-session

Question

We have setup remote apps to be used via RDP on a Windows Server. Users have reported that they will get disconnected mid-session. They are usually logged in all day. We haven't been able to find a cause.

We have done the following:
1. Increased the server hardware based on AWS provisioning suggestion
2. Set up Domain and Local GPO to keep instances active, auto reconnect sessions, and only allow one session per user
3. Checked the Remote Desktop App settings to ensure we don't have a timeout issue there
4. Checked Event Logs both on the server and at the AD controller (No errors)
5. Checked security settings for anything potential connected to remote desktop
6. Made sure we have remote desktop licenses installed

We are running the Apps over a VPN and each server is setup to serve as a RD broker as well as host the RD App.

Any ideas?

Answer

Thank you so much. I will see if any of this help. I've been banging my head against this for a week now.

Answer

Hello there,

If there is an error when the disconnect happens, the error message would have helped us understand the issue.

You can configure the logs collection to trace the error:
Useful log files for troubleshooting RDS issues
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/remote/log-files-to-troubleshoot-rds-issues?source=recommendations

As this issue is specific to the Microsoft Windows roles - Remote Desktop Services, I will be sharing the troubleshooting articles from Microsoft documentations.

1.1 To start with, check the GPO hat target users that use remote apps.
User Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Remote Desktop Services\Remote Desktop Session Host\Session Time Limits
Change the settings if you need.
Respective Registry settings: 
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services\RemoteAppLogoffTimeLimit

Create a WMI Filter on that GPO that will make the GPO execute only on Terminal Server;
Select * From Win32_TerminalServiceSetting Where TerminalServerMode=1

2.1. Check the number of simultaneous remote connections
On RD session host server, click Start > Administrative Tools and navigate to Remote Desktop Services > Under Connections, right click and open Properties of the connection.
In the Network Adapter tab, click Maximum connections and enter the number of simultaneous connections required and click OK.
Note: If the Maximum connections option is selected and dimmed, the Limit number of connections Group Policy setting has been enabled and has been applied to the RD Session Host server. You need to change the maximum number of simultaneous connections to avoid frequent disconnections.

2.2 Check the 'Limit number of connections' policy 
Open the appropriate group policy or the local security policy in the Group Policy snap-in.
Navigate to Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Remote Desktop Services >> Remote Desktop Session Host >> Connections.
Click enabled for 'Limit number of connections' options.
Change the required number of simultaneous connections in the 'RD Maximum Connections allowed' box and click OK.

3.1 Review if this scenario is applicable:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/remote/remoteapp-sessions-disconnected

4.1 Finally, go through all the possible causes mentioned in the article below to see if that is applicable to your case.
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-server/remote/troubleshoot-remote-desktop-disconnected-errors

All the best!

Windows Server Remote App disconnecting mid-session

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