Software⏱️ 4 min read📅 2026-06-19

How to Fix: RDP works fine on a wired connection, but over wireless it throws error

Troubleshooting RDP connection issues over wireless.

Quick Answer: Check the Windows XP laptop's network settings and ensure WPA2 encryption is enabled for a stable connection.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 💡 Why You Are Getting This Error
  2. ✅ Best Solutions to Fix It
  3. ✨ Wrapping Up

The error 'Remote Desktopcannot find the remote computer type the name or address again or contact admin' is frustrating for users who rely on Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to access their workstations. This issue occurs when a Windows XP laptop attempts to connect to a Windows 7 workstation using RDP over wireless, but works fine over a wired connection. The user has already tried connecting with both the name and IP address of the remote computer.

This troubleshooting guide aims to help resolve this issue by identifying the root causes and providing step-by-step solutions to fix the problem.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary reason for this error is the incompatibility between Windows XP and Windows 7. Windows XP does not support the latest Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) features, which are enabled by default on Windows 7. This causes the RDP client on the Windows XP laptop to struggle with connecting to the remote computer over wireless networks.
  • Another possible cause is a misconfigured network settings or a problem with the wireless adapter on either the Windows XP laptop or the Windows 7 workstation.

✅ Best Solutions to Fix It

Enabling Legacy RDP Features

  1. Step 1: Step 1: On the Windows 7 workstation, go to Control Panel > System and Security > Administrative Tools > Remote Settings. Enable the 'Allow remote desktop connections to this computer from any IP address' option.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Go back to the Remote Settings window and click on the 'Remote Desktop' tab. Under 'Remote Desktop Session Host', select the 'Use the following network type' radio button, then select 'Wireless (802.11)'.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: On the Windows XP laptop, go to Control Panel > System > Properties > Remote Settings. Enable the 'Allow remote desktop connections' option and set it to 'Allow all users to connect'.
  4. Step 4: Step 4: Restart both the Windows XP laptop and the Windows 7 workstation, then attempt to reconnect using RDP over wireless.

Using a Third-Party RDP Client

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Download and install a third-party RDP client software on the Windows XP laptop. Some popular options include TeamViewer, LogMeIn, or AnyDesk.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Configure the third-party RDP client to connect to the remote computer using the IP address or name of the Windows 7 workstation.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: On the Windows 7 workstation, ensure that any network restrictions are lifted and allow incoming connections from the third-party RDP client software on the Windows XP laptop.
  4. Step 4: Step 4: Restart both the Windows XP laptop and the Windows 7 workstation, then attempt to reconnect using the third-party RDP client over wireless.

✨ Wrapping Up

By following these steps, users should be able to resolve the 'Remote Desktop cannot find the remote computer type the name or address again or contact admin' error when connecting to a Windows 7 workstation from a Windows XP laptop over wireless networks. Remember to always check for updates and ensure that all software is compatible before attempting any troubleshooting solutions.

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