‍If you're having trouble connecting to your business network remotely, you're not alone. Remote access can fail for several common reasons — the good news is many of them are easy to troubleshoot.

Follow these steps before contacting support to potentially restore access quickly.

‍1. Check Your Internet Connection:
• At Home or Remote Site: Make sure your device is connected to the Internet (Wi-Fi or wired).
• Run a Speed Test: Visit speedtest.net to verify your connection is active & stable.
• If your Internet is down, restart your Gateway / Router (see Restarting Your Gateway Safely guide).

‍2. Restart Your Device:
• A simple reboot can clear temporary connection issues or conflicts.
• Be sure to save any work before restarting.

‍3. Verify VPN Connection:
• Make sure your VPN client is running & properly configured.
• If you're using a company-provided VPN:
          •          Check that the correct server address is listed.
          •          Ensure your username & password are current.
          •          If Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is required, verify your authenticator app is working.

🔐 Tip: Some VPNs require admin rights — try right-clicking the VPN client & choosing Run as Administrator.

‍4. Confirm Remote Desktop Protocol Settings:
• If you're using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP):
          •          Make sure the IP address or computer name you're connecting to is correct.
          •          Confirm that your office PC is powered on & connected to the network.
          •          Ensure your user account is authorized for remote access.
⚠️ You can test your RDP connection by typing mstsc into the Windows Start Menu & entering the remote computer’s details.

‍5. Check Firewall or Security Software:
• Some personal firewalls or antivirus tools block VPN or RDP traffic.
• Temporarily disable any third-party firewall & test the connection.
• If it works, add exceptions for:
          •          VPN client software
          •          Remote Desktop (TCP Port 3389)

‍6. Try a Different Network:
• If you're on a public Wi-Fi (hotel, coffee shop), certain ports may be blocked.
• Try using a mobile hotspot or home network to test connectivity.

‍📞 Still Having Trouble?
‍If you’ve tried the steps above & remote access still doesn’t work, contact our support team for assistance. Be ready to provide details such as:
• What service you're trying to connect to (VPN, RDP, Cloud App).
• Any error messages.
• Approximate time the issue started.

💬Still Having Trouble? Submit a ticket or Let’s Connect! for Help:
‍🛟 Open a Support Ticket
‍📬 Email support@stumptownmsp.com
📞Call 503-735-4774
🕒Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM PT
🗓️Book your Free Network Security Assessment