Fix Windows 11 24H2 Remote Desktop Disconnecting After 65 Seconds

Published 2026-03-05 by TechNet New England

After installing the March 2025 security update (KB5053598), many IT administrators noticed a frustrating pattern: Remote Desktop connections would drop exactly 65 seconds after connecting. This specifically affects connections to Windows Server 2016 or earlier.

The Problem

Microsoft confirmed this issue in their known issues documentation. The bug occurs when:

• Connecting FROM a Windows 11 24H2 device
• Connecting TO Windows Server 2016 or earlier
• Using UDP-based RDP connections

The connection establishes normally but disconnects exactly 65 seconds later, making remote work nearly impossible.

The Fix: Install KB5053656

Microsoft released an emergency fix on March 27, 2025:

1. Open Settings > Windows Update
2. Click Check for updates
3. Look for KB5053656 (or any later cumulative update)
4. Install and restart

Source: Microsoft Learn - Resolved Issues Windows 11 24H2

Immediate Workaround (If You Can't Update Yet)

If you need RDP working before you can install the update, disable UDP for RDP:

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows NT\Terminal Services\Client" /v fClientDisableUDP /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

This forces RDP to use TCP only, bypassing the UDP-related bug. Remember to remove this after applying KB5053656.

For IT Administrators: Group Policy Fix

Microsoft also released Known Issue Rollback Group Policies:

1. Download the policy files from Microsoft
2. Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows 11 24H2 and Windows Server 2025 KB5053598 250314_20401 Known Issue Rollback
3. Enable the policy
4. Run gpupdate /force on affected machines

Prevention for the Future

This incident highlights why many organizations delay feature updates by 30-60 days. Consider implementing:

• Windows Update for Business with deferral policies
• A test group that receives updates before production
• Monitoring of Microsoft's known issues pages before deployments

Need Help Managing Windows Updates?

Keeping up with Windows update issues across your organization is a full-time job. A managed IT services provider can monitor for these issues, test updates before deployment, and ensure your team stays productive.