Sometimes when trying to open an app using Remote Desktop from another Windows 10 system, you get the following error message – Sorry, OpenGL version is too low, please update the graphics driver. This is particularly noticeable with the CLO application (a 3D clothing simulation program) when someone tries to access 3D Tools. If you also experience the same problem when opening an application using Remote Desktop from another system, this tutorial will help you find a solution.
OpenGL is a shortcut for Open Graphics Library. It is mainly used for rendering 2D and 3D vector graphics via GPU interactions.
OpenGL version is too low
Remote Desktop Protocol and its performance have been improved since Windows v1909 by replacing the host GPU with a lighter version. This change attempts to save network bandwidth when the remote session is established. However, if you’re having issues, check if your version of Windows 10 can undo or undo the change via local group policy. For that,
- Launch the local group policy editor.
- To choose The configuration of a computer.
- Locate Administrative Templates.
- Expand it and select Windows components.
- Go to Remote office services.
- To select Remote Desktop session host.
- Develop Remote session environment.
- In the right pane, activate two strategies
- For Windows 10 Pro v1909, disable Use the WDDM graphics display driver for Remote Desktop connection.
The problem stems mainly from the operation of the Remote Desktop protocol. It creates a virtualized desktop version of the host machine which uses only OpenGL software which does not necessarily use the same extensions required when running in hardware mode. Thus, RDP begins to send 2D bitmap images from the host to the remote client.
Launch the local group policy editor. Press Win + R in combination to open the ‘Run‘ dialog box.
In the empty field of the box, enter “gpedit.msc“And press”Enter“
When the Group Policy Editor window opens, go to ‘Computer configuration“And choose”Administrative Templates’File below.
Then select “Windows components‘Folder. Expand the folder to access “Remote office services“
Here, select “Remote Desktop session host“And expand”Remote session environment’File below.
Now go to the right pane and activate the following strategies:
- Enable H.264 / AVC 444 graphics mode for Remote Desktop connections.
- Enable H.264 / AVC hardware encoding for Remote Desktop connections.
If you are using Windows 10 pro v1909, disable ‘Use the WDDM graphics display driver for Remote Desktop connection” To do this, double the option, select ‘Deactivate“
Press the ‘Apply‘button.
Below, you shouldn’t see the “OpenGL is too low” error message in Windows 10.
