RDP session sometimes loses mouse/keyboard after leaving it unattended for a while

Troubleshooting Intermittent Mouse and Keyboard Loss in RDP Sessions on New Lenovo ThinkPad P16s

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is a vital tool for remote work, especially for professionals who rely on multiple monitors and high-performance hardware. However, users sometimes encounter intermittent issues that disrupt productivity. Recently, users have reported a peculiar problem: their RDP sessions lose mouse and keyboard control after being idle for some time, despite the remote display remaining active. This article explores the potential causes and solutions for this issue, based on a real-world scenario involving a Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 3 running Windows 11 Enterprise.

The Issue at a Glance

• Environment: Remote connection from a desktop with three monitors to a Lenovo ThinkPad P16s connected via a wired hub.
• Symptoms: After approximately 30 minutes of inactivity, the RDP session’s mouse and keyboard become unresponsive. The remote display continues to refresh, but control is lost.
• Behavior upon reconnect: Closing and re-establishing the RDP session restores input control immediately.
• Permissions and Setup: The user has ensured all drivers are current, BIOS is updated, and power settings are optimized (high performance, sleep disabled).

Relevant Hardware and Software Specifications

• Client Machine: Lenovo ThinkPad P16s Gen 3, Core Ultra 7 165H, Windows 11 Enterprise 24H2.
• Host Machine: Desktop with Core i7-13700F, Windows 11 Pro 24H2.
• Connection Details: Wired network connection, multi-monitor setup, stable network environment.

Common Causes and Troubleshooting Steps

1. Power Settings and Sleep Mode:
2. Confirm that sleep mode is disabled on both client and host machines.

3. Ensure that the display and network adapters do not enter power-saving modes that could disrupt RDP sessions.

4. Network Stability and Latency:

5. Although wired connections are generally reliable, check for any network interruptions or latency spikes, especially if the session becomes unresponsive after periods of inactivity.

6. Remote Desktop Settings and Updates:

7. Ensure RDP client and server are updated to the latest versions.

8. Review RDP session settings, such as experience options, to optimize for stability.

9. Graphics and Display Drivers:

10. Since the issue started after acquiring a new laptop, verify that