Symptom
While connecting on a Windows Server 2012 using RDP you might notice the following error:
Remote Desktop Connection: An authentication error has occurred. The Local Security Authority cannot be contacted
Cause
This is probably due to the cached account on the server. Seems to happen more on Windows 2012 server. If you have Network Level Authentication enabled it will not prompt you for a GUI change password option. This error could happen for other reasons as well. However, if it does not help, try the troubleshooting steps below.
Check also your Security event log. You will probably find this kinf of error:
Troubleshooting
- First of all, connect on the server using another credentials
- Services and Scheduled Tasks : in either case, check for the problematic credential
- Remove problematic user account profile data
- Most of all : set a new password for the user account
- Finally, try to login
For me, this method works and the error message does not appear anymore.
In addition, you can read this blog article regarding the NLA.
Local Security Authority cannot be contacted