Restart Remote Desktop service remotely PowerShell

WARNING: Test this process before you try it on an production system, to make sure you like the results and have the process down.

Problem:

RDP has stopped working but your server still work just users cant connect to modify applications

The most common fix is to reboot windows, because Remote Desktop Services aka TermService cant be restarted at least thats the case on 2003 as the option is grayed out. This will also create an outage just for a remote control issue and thats not always desirable.

The fix: (remotely)

from command line

1. tasklist /s \\servername /svc /fi imagename eq svchost.exe (locate PID for TermService)
2. taskkill /s \\servername /pid xxxx (may need /f to force, UAC might give problems as well)
3. sc \\servername start TermService

The Fix: (local, using remote admin card/other remote control software/other remote command line)

From command line

1. tasklist /svc /fi imagename eq svchost.exe (locate PID for TermService)
2. taskkill /pid xxxx (may need /f to force, UAC might give problems as well)
3. sc \\servername start TermService

more helpful RDP troubleshooting

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2477176