• While logged in and stuck on the black screen of death
  1. Press CTRL+ALT+END, or CTRL+ALT+FN+END on laptops. This calls Task Manager and in most cases you’ll immediately see the Desktop.
  2. If only Task Manager but no Desktop appears try running Explorer from Task Manager:File > New Task > Explorer.exe
• Try connecting at a different resolution.
• Access the remote computers Computer Management or Services MMC and cycle the Remote Desktop Services service.
• Update display drivers, both on the connecting machine and on the machine you are connecting too.
  1. Some users are experiencing this with Nvidia GPUs. The Geforce Experience program has a "Share" feature aka "shadow play"; when enabled some people experience the problem. Try to disable it, restart and see if it helps.
  2. Check the display settings at the remote host and see if there is a phantom monitor present. Might need to change which monitor is the primary one
• Start a new RDP client on your desktop but BEFORE you click CONNECT, click the SHOW OPTIONS link, click the DISPLAY tab and set the DISPLAY CONFIGURATION to a low resolution like 640×480.
• Try turning off Fast Startup
  • This feature only works when you do a SHUTDOWN and then Boot. It doesn't effect a RESTART.
  • Go to Control panel, Power Options and select Choose What the Power Buttons Do on the left.
  • Then select Change Settings That are Currently Unavailable near the top center of screen...
  • Lower down on the window, uncheck Fast Startup.

Prevention for future

• Disable bitmap caching for your RDP connections
• Confirm RDP account has full administrative rights on remote system
• Access the remote computer using consistent resolution – Full screen may help
• Confirm both systems' video drivers are up to date