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Suddenly, cannot RDP to server using DNS names- only IPs

JDMils 51 Reputation points
2022-12-15T04:25:40.57+00:00

We have a mix of Windows servers, one server is a Windows 2012 Datacenter server which has been working well until a few days ago. I try to logon to the server from a jump box (running Windows server 2019 Datacenter) using the server's DNS name (both short & FQDN) and it asks for my credentials but then shows the error "Your credentials did not work". I know my credentials are OK because I can log into the same server using the IP and strangely if I add a "." dot to the end of the server's FQDN, I can logon OK.

I cannot see any issues in any of the Windows Event Logs.
PING -a <DNS_Name> shows the correct FQDN name.
NSLOOKUP <IP> shows the correct FQDN name.

Does anyone know what could be the issue?
Why does adding a dot after the FQDN work?

Windows for business | Windows Client for IT Pros | User experience | Remote desktop services and terminal services

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  1. ITMAGE 0 Reputation points
    2025-05-16T18:52:02.5633333+00:00

    We've experienced this as well and in our instance it appears to be related to an older domain controller running on an ancient (like brontosaurus times in terms of IT) incarnation of Windows. It seems that whenever the member server boots and selects that old DC as it's logon server, then the problem materializes. Both the old and new DC are fully replicated to one another and so that's not the issue, and it doesn't occur every time which is a bit frustrating.

    In any event the test we did was to shutdown that specific older DC, reboot the member server so that it selects a different DC, and then it authenticated just fine. It's still possible that this was not the issue but thus far each time we've experienced this joy, we've performed the same process and the problem went back into it's cave. Obviously upgrading the old DC is on the insanely long backlog of things to do.

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