There are reports by both Windows 11 and Windows 10 PC users whereby after installing a recent Windows update, they cannot start Remote Desktop Services on their system, and they see an error message Windows could not start the Remote Desktop Services service on Local Computer. This post is intended to help affected users with the most applicable solution to this issue.
Error 1053: The service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion
When this error occurs on your device, you’ll get the following full error message;
Services
Windows could not start the Remote Desktop Services on Local Computer.
Error 1053: The service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion.
Below are the likely reasons why you may encounter this issue;
- Remote assistance is disabled on the target computer.
- Custom scaling is enabled.
- IPv6 protocol inconsistency.
- RDP Protocol is hard coded to remain disabled.
- GPO is blocking the RDP component.
- Essential services or dependencies are disabled.
- RDP Listener is disabled.
- Incorrect RDP listener port.
- RDP listener port overlap.
- The firewall is blocking the RDP port.
- Corrupted Windows account.
- 3rd party program interference.
- System file corruption.
- Botched Windows update.
Cannot start Remote Desktop Services in Windows 11/10
If you are faced with the Windows could not start the Remote Desktop Services service on Local Computer error on your Windows 11/10 device, you can try the recommended solutions and see what works for you in resolving the issue on your system.
- Enable Remote Desktop
- Run SFC and DISM scan
- Disable IPv6 protocol
- Enable Remote Assistance on both local and remote computer
- Enable Remote Desktop Services service dependencies
- Disable Custom Scaling
- Configure Local Group Policy
- Change RDP Listening Port
- Create New User Account
- Uninstall Windows update or Perform System Restore
Windows could not start the Remote Desktop Services on Local Computer
1] Enable Remote Desktop
If you cannot start Remote Desktop Services, and you are getting the Windows could not start the Remote Desktop Services service on Local Computer error on your Windows 11/10 device, you can begin troubleshooting by making sure Remote Desktop is enabled on the system.
Read: Fix Remote Desktop connection issues & errors
2] Run SFC and DISM scan
If the remote desktop is enabled, but the issue at hand isn’t resolved, your next port of call is to run an SFC scan, and depending on the outcome, you may have to follow with the DISM scan. If you get a clean bill of health on both scans, you can try starting the service in question and see if the error is triggered again.
3] Disable IPv6 protocol
This solution requires you to disable the IPv6 protocol. Disabling the IPv6 protocol will force the RDP connection to use IPv4. This action will prevent the Remote Desktop Services service from being disabled due to network inconsistencies, especially if you are trying to connect to a target PC running an outdated Windows operating system version/build.
Read: Fix Remote Desktop can’t find the computer error
4] Enable Remote Assistance on both local and remote computer
Using Remote Assistance, a computer user can allow another person to view their computer screen, get help with how to perform specific tasks or fix issues. Although different in functionality from Remote Desktop, you need to enable Windows Remote Assistance on both the local and the remote computer in order for the Remote Dekstop component to work properly.
5] Enable Remote Desktop Services service dependencies
Before attempting to start the Remote Desktop Services service, make sure the following Windows services are started and are at running status:
- Remote Desktop Services (TermService)
- Remote Desktop Services UserMode Port Redirector (UmRdpService)
- Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol Service
- Telephony
- Plug and Play
- Remote Procedure Call (RPC)
- DCOM Server Process Launcher
- RPC Endpoint Mapper
- Windows Event Log Service
If these dependency services are all running but the primary Remote Desktop Services service still won’t start, you can boot into Safe Mode with Networking and make sure all those services and dependencies are started and running then see if you can start Remote Desktop Services service successfully on your device.
6] Disable Custom Scaling
If the computer you are trying to connect to remotely, does not support the scaling feature, you’re likely to encounter this issue. Although this function is excellent, it is known to interfere with the RDP component. Thus it is advisable to turn it off if you intend to access computers remotely.
Do the following:
- Press Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
- Click on System from the options to your left and then click on Display.
- Now you have to decide whether or not to implement Custom Scaling.
- If you do choose to do so, click on Scale and set the size of the custom scaling. Make sure it ranges between 100-500%
- Save it and sign out for the change to take effect
- If you choose not to go for Custom Scaling, select Turn off custom scaling and sign out.
- This will sign you out and the new settings will be filed.
Now, wait until you are signed out, then sign in again and see if the issue in view is resolved. If not, try the next solution.
7] Configure Local Group Policy
This solution requires you to configure or modify the Local Group Policy setting Allow users to connect remotely by using Remote Desktop Services and make sure the policy is set to Enabled or Not configured. To perform this task, you can follow the instructions in the troubleshooting guide Remote desktop can’t connect to the remote computer.
Read: Fix Your computer can’t connect to the remote computer error
8] Change the RDP Listening Port
The RDP listening port must be open on port 3389 on both the local (client) and remote (target) computers, and it’s important that this port isn’t being used any other program on the systems. So, make sure to check and change the RDP Listening Port accordingly. Also, make sure the port is allowed through Windows Firewall.
9] Create new User Account
You may be experiencing this issue due to a corrupted Windows user account/profile which may lead to corrupted dependencies connected to your current user profile. So, to rule out this possibility, you can create a new local user account with admin privilege, log into the account and then restart the Remote Desktop Services service and see if the operation will be successful without throwing any errors.
10] Uninstall Windows update or Perform System Restore
This is a viable solution to resolve the issue you’re currently facing, given that the error started to occur after you recently installed a new Windows update. This requires you to uninstall the ‘problematic’ update or alternatively perform System Restore to revert your system to a fully working condition before the update. If neither of these operations is helpful, you may be dealing with a more serious OS corruption which you can resolve by resetting your PC or carrying out an in-place upgrade repair of Windows 11/10.
I hope this post helps you!
Related post: Routing and Remote Access Service not starting
How do I enable Remote Desktop Services?
You need to set up the PC you want to connect to to allow remote connections. Do the following:
- Make sure you have Windows 11/10 Pro.
- When ready, select Start > Settings > System > Remote Desktop, and turn on Enable Remote Desktop.
- Make a note of the name of this PC under How to connect to this PC.
Why is RDP not opening?
Windows Firewall is one of the most common causes of Remote Desktop problems. If Remote Desktop is blocked by Firewall, you won’t be able to connect the feature with another device.