How to fix slow remote desktop connection Australia

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to fix slow remote desktop connection Australia. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) and legacy VPN clients were designed for office networks, not home broadband across Australia. If your team is experiencing laggy sessions, frozen screens, or connections that drop during video calls, the problem is usually not your internet speed—it is the way the connection is routed. This guide walks you through quick fixes for your current setup and explains how cloud-native options like Windows 365 Cloud PCs and browser-authenticated apps can give your remote staff a faster, more stable experience without choking home broadband.

Quick Fix Steps

1. Connect via Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi where possible.
2. Close bandwidth-heavy applications such as video streaming or large cloud backups during your session.
3. Reduce the Remote Desktop display resolution and colour depth.
4. Disable printer, drive, and clipboard redirection if you do not need them.
5. Restart your router and the remote computer.

Detailed Instructions

Optimise Remote Desktop Connection settings

1. On your local computer, open Remote Desktop Connection.
2. Select Show Options.
3. Go to the Display tab and move the slider to a lower resolution, such as 1024 x 768.
4. Select High Colour (16 bit) instead of True Colour (32 bit).
5. Go to the Local Resources tab and click Settings under Remote audio. Select Play on this computer.
6. Clear the checkboxes for Printers, Clipboard, and any drives under More if they are not required.
7. Go to the Experience tab and select Low-speed broadband or a setting that matches your connection speed.
8. Click Connect and test the session.

Check your home network

1. Run a speed test from a device connected to the same network.
2. If you are on Wi-Fi, move closer to the router or switch to a wired Ethernet connection.
3. Pause large uploads or downloads, including cloud backups and video uploads.
4. Restart your router by switching it off at the wall, waiting 30 seconds, and switching it back on.

Switch to cloud-native remote access

If quick fixes do not resolve the issue, consider replacing legacy VPN and RDP with modern alternatives:

• Windows 365 Cloud PC: A cloud-based Windows desktop that users access through a browser or the Remote Desktop app. Processing happens in Microsoft's data centres, not on your home broadband.
• Browser-authenticated apps: Access line-of-business applications through a web browser with single sign-on, removing the need for a VPN client entirely.
• Azure Virtual Desktop: Scalable virtual desktops and apps for organisations with more complex remote work needs.

Windows 365 Cloud PCs are ideal for Australian small businesses because staff can log in from any device with a browser, and the session stays responsive even on standard broadband connections.

Troubleshooting

Connection drops during video calls

• Video conferencing and Remote Desktop compete for upload bandwidth. Turn off your video or lower the call quality if you must stay connected to the remote desktop.
• Ask other household members to pause streaming or gaming during work hours.

Avoid port forwarding on your home router to expose Remote Desktop directly to the internet. This creates a serious security risk and is not recommended for business use.

Session feels laggy even on fast internet

• High latency (ping) causes more lag than low download speed. Connect via Ethernet to reduce latency.
• If you are using a VPN, try disconnecting it and connecting directly to the cloud resource, as VPNs add an extra hop.
• Ensure the remote computer is not running intensive tasks in the background.

Cannot connect at all

• Verify the remote computer is powered on and not asleep.
• Confirm you have the correct computer name or IP address.
• Check that Remote Desktop is enabled on the remote computer under Settings > System > Remote Desktop.
• Ensure your firewall or security software is not blocking Remote Desktop connections.

If your remote access issues persist, contact your IT support provider for assistance. If you host with us, you don't need to do this yourself — just Open a Ticket and our Brisbane team will get it sorted.

Still Having Issues?