XRDP Not Working On Ubuntu? Here’s How To Solve It
XRDP not working on the Ubuntu system is a common problem among users. More and more individuals notice that they can’t use the remote desktop connection software to access the desktop interface.
The issue may be a password prompt, sudden disconnection, or inability to function on other Ubuntu flavors. In this guide, we will explore these three cases and the resolutions so you can have seamless remote desktop access on Ubuntu.
How To Fix XRDP Not Working On Ubuntu
Now, let’s move on to the general solution to fix not working XRDP.
After running tests, it was found that the xorgxrdp package is essential to run the remote desktop protocol. However, it is automatically uninstalled when performing the XRDP installation.
Additionally, you won’t be able to install the package due to some missing dependencies.
Perform the following actions to solve this problem, whether you are installing the XRDP for the first time or you have one already installed.
New XRDP installation
- • Install xserver-xorg-core package
- • Install xsrever-xorg-input-all package
- • Install xRDP package
XRDP already installed
- • install xserver-xorg-core package
- • Install xsrever-xorg-input-all package
- • install xorgxrdp package
You may also need to check the XRDP logs for errors or issues. To check your XRDP logs, run the following command:
sudo cat /var/log/xrdp.log sudo cat /var/log/xrdp-sesman.log
New XRDP Installation Process
Let’s further discuss the steps you should take to fix the not working XRDP and ensure your remote desktop protocol operates correctly.
Assuming you have recently installed the Ubuntu system and want to install the XRDP package manually, you will need to take the following steps:
Issue the following command to install xserver-xorg-core.
sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-coreNote: Installing this package may provoke the removal of the “xserver-xorg-hwe-18.04” package, which might be a requirement of your system. Once removed, you might lose the mouse and keyboard input as you connect to the machine locally.
Run the following command to fix this problem:
sudo apt-get -y install xserver-xorg-input-allInstall the XRDP package
Afterward, install the XRDP package using the following command:sudo apt-get install xrdpThere are no longer dependency issues after this, so you can expect the installation of the xorgxrdp and XRDP packages to take place simultaneously.
How to Fix Issues of Already Installed XRDP
If you already have installed the software but have encountered the XRDP Ubuntu not working issue, this section is for you.
Let’s assume you installed the XRDP packages on Ubuntu using the non-standard Std-Xrdp-install-0.5.1.sh script. You would have to restore the XRDP functionality. To do this, you need to install the missing dependencies using the following command:
sudo apt-get install xserver-xorg-core
Note: Running this command will also trigger the deletion of the “xserver-xorg*-hwe-18.04” package, which might be necessary for your system to run seamlessly. If removed, you will notice you no longer have the mouse and keyboard input when you connect to the machine locally.
Issue the following command to solve this one:
sudo apt-get -y install xserver-xorg-input-all
After obtaining the missing dependencies, your next step is to install the xorgxrdp package manually. This action will help bring back the XRDP functionality. Issue the following command to perform the installation:
sudo apt-get install xorgxrdp
Once done, you can perform a remote connection on your Ubuntu much more smoothly.
XRDP Connection Issues And Solutions
Let’s learn more about the XRDP connection issues that users typically encounter on Ubuntu, together with the solution for each.
1. Password Prompt After XRDP Login
A password prompt appearing is one of the common challenges users face after logging in via XRDP. This interval can instantly interfere with the user experience.
If this is your case, perform the following command to repair this issue:
sudo bash -c "cat
>/etc/polkit-1/localauthority/50-local.d/45-allow.colord.pkla" <<EOF
[Allow Colord all Users]
Identity=unix-user:*
Action=org.freedesktop.color-manager.create-device;org.freedesktop.color-manager.create-profile;org.freedesktop.color-manager.delete-device;org.freedesktop.color-manager.delete-profile;org.freedesktop.color-manager.modify-device;org.freedesktop.color-manager.modify-profile
ResultAny=no
ResultInactive=no
ResultActive=yes
EOF
Running this command will form a policy file that permits all users to make and alter color profiles, which frequently causes the password prompt. The Identity=unix-user: line implies that this protocol applies to all users.
2. Disconnection After Entering Password
Sometimes Ubuntu XRDP suddenly disconnects right after entering your password. This connection problem can be frustrating and could disrupt your remote access to Ubuntu.
The disconnection might have something to do with multiple remote sessions. Find out if there are local logged-in accounts and log them out before attempting to connect via XRDP. If this does not fix the issue, try changing the settings to allow multiple sessions.
3. XRDP Not Connecting through Firewall
When utilizing XRDP alongside a firewall, connectivity issues may arise, hindering the connection process. The solution to this problem lies in allowing incoming connections through the firewall by opening port 3389. This particular port is crucial for XRDP to facilitate remote desktop connections.
sudo ufw allow 3389/tcp
To resolve the XRDP connection problem, you can execute the following command in your terminal:
By running this command, you grant permission for incoming TCP connections on port 3389, allowing XRDP to establish the necessary connections for remote desktop access. This adjustment should rectify the issue and enable a smoother XRDP connection experience.
4. XRDP Not Working On Other Ubuntu Flavors
startxfce4” to “/etc/xrdp/startwm.sh” if you use Xubuntu or include “budgie-desktop” in the same file if you use Ubuntu Budgie. These commands facilitate the launch of the appropriate desktop environment when you connect via XRDP.Implementing Solutions
If connection problems occur, use the following command to enable XRDP:
sudo systemctl enable xrdp
This command guarantees that the XRDP service will launch at boot. It often fixes the issue in which the service initialization is unsuccessful.
After performing this command, restart your Ubuntu system.
Fixing Mouse and Keyboard Issues in Ubuntu
While resolving the issue of Ubuntu XRDP not working, you may encounter another problem during the process—you might lose the keyboard and mouse input.
As mentioned above, the mouse and keyboard interaction may disappear after running some commands and installing some packages. You will notice this when logging in locally on Ubuntu.
All you need to do to resolve this issue is run the following command in the terminal session:
sudo apt-get -y install xserver-xorg-input-all
Conclusion
Users may encounter with not working XRDP sometimes, and the issues may vary depending on the causes. It can be an unwanted disconnection, password prompt, XRDP logs, or difficulty running the software on various Ubuntu flavors.
Don’t worry—you can fix these problems with the appropriate configurations and troubleshooting techniques. Consider trying various solutions to determine which one perfectly fits your particular setup.
XRDP is a top-notch tool for remote access, and using the solutions discussed in this article, you can be sure that XRDP functions without a hitch on your Ubuntu system.