This topic describes how to resolve the "An authentication error has occurred. The Local Security Authority cannot be contacted" error when you connect to a Windows instance by using Remote Desktop.
Symptoms
When you use Remote Desktop to connect to a Windows instance from your local computer, you receive the following error message: "An authentication error has occurred. The Local Security Authority cannot be contacted".
Causes
This error can occur for the following reasons:
The Remote Desktop configuration in the System Properties of the ECS instance is incorrect. To resolve this issue, see Solution 1: Modify the Remote Desktop configuration of the target instance.
The remote session configuration of the ECS instance is incorrect. To resolve this issue, see Solution 2: Modify the remote session configuration of the target instance.
Resolution
Solution 1: Modify Remote Desktop configuration
Connect to the Windows instance by using VNC.
For more information, see Connect to an instance by using VNC.
Right-click the
icon and click Run. Enter the sysdm.cplcommand to open the System Properties dialog box.Click the Remote tab. In the Remote Desktop section, select Allow remote connections to this computer, and then click OK.
Solution 2: Modify remote session configuration
Connect to the Windows instance by using VNC.
For more information, see Connect to an instance by using VNC.
Right-click the
icon, click Run(R), and enter the gpedit.msccommand to open the Local Group Policy Editor.In the Local Group Policy Editor window, navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Remote Desktop Services > Remote Desktop Session Host > Security.
In the Security folder, double-click Require use of specific security layer for remote (RDP) connections.
In the dialog box that appears, select Enabled. From the Security Layer drop-down list, select RDP, and then click OK.
Update the group policy to apply the new settings.
Right-click the
icon, then click Run, and enter the cmdcommand to open the Command Prompt.Run the
gpupdatecommand to complete the policy update.
Connect to the instance again to verify that the issue is resolved.
Related documents
Troubleshoot issues when you cannot connect to a Windows instance