When Chrome Remote Desktop won’t connect, check the likely causes Google lists: the remote computer is offline, antivirus software is blocking the connection, a work or school administrator has restricted it, or Chrome is out of date. Find your symptom below. The fixes come from Google’s Chrome Remote Desktop help and its admin guide.
Haven’t set it up yet? Start with how to use Chrome Remote Desktop.
The computer is dimmed or shows as offline
A dimmed computer in your list is offline or unavailable. Chrome Remote Desktop can only reach it while it is switched on and connected to the internet.
- Check that the remote computer is on and connected to the internet.
- Restart the Chrome Remote Desktop host. On Windows, open Command Prompt as an administrator and run
net stop chromoting && net start chromoting, which stops and starts the host service. It is the same command Google’s admin guide uses to restart the host after changing its settings. - If it still shows offline, set up remote access again on that computer at remotedesktop.google.com/access, or uninstall and reinstall Chrome Remote Desktop (see the last section).
It finds the computer but won’t connect
Antivirus software can block Chrome Remote Desktop. Google says to make sure your antivirus allows:
- Outbound UDP traffic
- Inbound UDP responses
- Traffic on TCP port 443 (HTTPS)
- Traffic on TCP and UDP port 3478 (STUN)
Also check that both devices are online and that Chrome is up to date on both (see how to update Chrome).
It only works on the same network, or not at all at work
If the computer is on a work or school network, that network may not let you give others access. Administrators can also turn Chrome Remote Desktop off for an account, limit connections to the local network or VPN, or block the service completely. If your account is managed, your administrator controls your access, so ask your IT team.
The support code doesn’t work
- Each access code works only once. If the helper tried it before, generate a new code under Get Support.
- After the helper enters the code, the person sharing has to select Share in the dialog that shows the helper’s email address. Until then, nothing happens.
- On a work or school network, giving others access may be blocked (see above).
The session asks “continue sharing?”
That’s by design. When you share your computer with a support code, Chrome Remote Desktop asks every 30 minutes whether you want to keep sharing. Confirm to continue, or click Stop Sharing to end it.
Linux: blank or wrong desktop
Chrome Remote Desktop on Linux starts its own virtual desktop session. Google notes that your desktop environment may not support more than one session at a time, so if you are signed in to the same desktop both at the computer and remotely, one of them can fail. Google suggests either:
- Use a different desktop environment for the remote session than for the local one. You can fix the remote one in a
.chrome-remote-desktop-sessionfile in your home folder; the Linux section of the setup guide linked above shows the format. - Or, if you use the session chooser, sign out of that desktop locally (or in the remote session) before signing in to it on the other side.
Touch input or file transfer is missing
- Touch input: on a phone or tablet, touch modes only work when the remote computer runs Windows. With a Mac or Linux computer you get trackpad mode only.
- File transfer: you can move files in a remote access session, not in a remote support session with a code. On managed computers an administrator can also turn file transfer off (Chrome Enterprise policy).
- Copy and paste: an administrator can limit or turn off clipboard sharing on managed computers.
Reinstall Chrome Remote Desktop
If the host still won’t start or keeps showing offline, remove Chrome Remote Desktop from the remote computer and set it up again. During setup you may have to enter your computer password and change security settings; complete each prompt.
- Windows: in Control Panel, open the programs list, find “Chrome Remote Desktop” and remove it.
- Mac: open the “Chrome Remote Desktop Host Uninstaller” app and click Uninstall.
Then open remotedesktop.google.com/access in Chrome on that computer and set up remote access again. If nothing here helps, Google suggests posting in the Chrome Help Community.