You're sitting there, staring at that gray box. It just says please wait for the remote side anydesk. It’s frustrating. You’ve got a meeting starting, or maybe your mom needs help fixing her printer, and the connection just won't "click" into place. This isn't just a random glitch; it’s actually a specific handshake protocol that AnyDesk uses to keep things secure. Most people think their internet is broken. Sometimes, it’s just a setting.
Honestly, AnyDesk is usually rock solid. It’s faster than TeamViewer in many cases and the latency is surprisingly low. But this specific message? It’s a gatekeeper. It means your request has reached the other computer, but the door is still locked. The "remote side" is essentially the person on the other end who hasn't given you the "OK" yet.
Let's get into why this happens and how you can actually get past it without losing your mind.
What's Really Happening Behind the please wait for the remote side anydesk Screen?
When you type in a Desk ID and hit connect, AnyDesk sends a packet of data across the web to their servers, which then finds the target machine. Once it finds it, the target machine rings like a telephone. If nobody answers that phone, you get the waiting message. It’s a permissions thing.
Privacy is the big reason here. Think about it—you wouldn't want anyone to just hop onto your desktop while you're checking your bank balance. AnyDesk defaults to a "Request" mode. This means a human being has to physically click "Accept" on the other side. If they are away from their desk, or if the prompt is hidden behind another window, you're going to be stuck looking at that please wait for the remote side anydesk notification indefinitely.
There are also technical hurdles. Sometimes the firewall is acting like a bouncer at a club who doesn't like your shoes. It sees the incoming connection and just holds it in limbo. In other cases, the AnyDesk Service itself hasn't started with Administrative privileges, so it can't actually display the "Accept" window to the person on the other end. It’s a ghost in the machine situation.
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The Permission Problem
Often, the person you are trying to help is technically challenged. They might say, "I don't see anything!" while the prompt is flashing in their taskbar. Or, even worse, they have multiple monitors and the request window is hiding on a screen they aren't looking at.
How to Bypass the Waiting Game with Unattended Access
If you are trying to access your own office computer from home, you don't want to wait for a "remote side" that doesn't exist because the office is empty. This is where Unattended Access comes in. It is the single most important feature for anyone using AnyDesk professionally.
Go into the settings on the remote computer. Look for the "Security" tab. You’ll see a checkbox that says "Enable unattended access." You’ll have to set a very strong password. Seriously, don't use "password123." Use something complex. Once this is set, you won't see the please wait for the remote side anydesk screen because the password acts as the "Accept" click.
Why Passwords Sometimes Fail
Sometimes you set a password, and it still doesn't work. Why? Usually, it's because the "Permissions Profile" is set too strictly. Even with a password, if the profile doesn't allow "Interactive Access," the connection might hang. You need to make sure the profile is set to "Full Access" or a custom one that allows the keyboard and mouse to work immediately.
Dealing with Firewall and Network Blockages
Network admins hate remote desktop software. It’s a huge security hole if not managed. If you’re in a corporate environment and seeing the please wait for the remote side anydesk message, the company firewall might be stripping the "Accept" signal.
AnyDesk uses specific ports. You want to make sure Port 7070, 6568, and 6570 are open. Also, the app uses standard HTTPS (Port 443). If your router or firewall is doing "Deep Packet Inspection," it might see the AnyDesk traffic and slow it down so much that the connection times out before the remote side can even click the button.
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I've seen cases where a simple router reboot fixed this. It sounds cliché, but clearing the NAT table on a cheap home router can suddenly allow those connection packets to fly through. If you're on a 5G hotspot, the latency might be so high that the "Remote Side" times out before the message even reaches you.
Troubleshooting the "Ghost" Connection
Sometimes, the remote side does click accept, but you're still stuck. This is a synchronization error.
- The Display Driver Issue: On Windows, if the remote computer doesn't have a monitor plugged in, AnyDesk might not know how to "draw" the screen for you. It stays on "Please Wait" because there's no frame buffer to capture. You might need a "Headless Ghost" (a tiny HDMI plug that fakes a monitor).
- Version Mismatch: If you’re on AnyDesk version 8.0 and they are on 5.0, things get weird. Update both. It takes two minutes.
- The "Service" vs "User" Mode: If AnyDesk is just running as a portable app (not installed), it can't interact with Windows UAC prompts. If a "Run as Administrator" window pops up on the remote side, AnyDesk will freeze, and you'll be stuck waiting. Always install AnyDesk rather than just running the .exe file if you want a reliable connection.
Steps to Take Right Now
If you're currently staring at that screen, try these specific moves.
First, call or text the person on the other end. Ask them specifically: "Is there a red or blue window asking you to Accept?" If they say no, tell them to look at their taskbar for the AnyDesk icon. It might be flashing.
Second, check your own ID. Sometimes people mistype a digit. You might be asking a random stranger in another country to let you into their computer, and they are (rightfully) ignoring you.
Third, if you're the one being accessed, check your "Settings" -> "Security" and ensure "Allow always" is checked under "Interactive Access." If it's set to "Only allow if AnyDesk window is open," and you've minimized AnyDesk, the requester will be stuck at the please wait for the remote side anydesk screen.
Modern Security Features to Watch Out For
In 2025 and 2026, AnyDesk has upped their security game due to the rise in "Scammer" calls. Now, there are often "Warning" timers. If a connection is from a "New" ID, the remote side might have to wait 15 seconds before they can even click "Accept." This is a safety feature to prevent people from being rushed into a scam. If you see the waiting screen, it might just be the other person waiting for their "Accept" button to stop being grayed out.
Actionable Next Steps for a Smoother Connection
To stop seeing the please wait for the remote side anydesk message permanently, you should optimize your setup immediately.
- Install the Service: Don't just run the portable version. Click the "Install AnyDesk on this computer" link in the main window. This gives the software the deep system permissions it needs to bypass those "waiting" hangs.
- Whitelist the App: Add
AnyDesk.exeto your Windows Defender or third-party Antivirus (like Bitdefender or Norton) exclusions list. - Set Up Unattended Access: If you're connecting to your own devices, go to Settings > Security > Enable Unattended Access. Use a password with at least 12 characters, including a symbol.
- Use the "Alias" Feature: Instead of remembering
928 374 122, set an alias likemy-office-pc@ad. It reduces typos that lead to connection hangs. - Check the Status Light: In the bottom left of the AnyDesk window, there's a small circle. If it's not green, you aren't connected to the AnyDesk network at all, and no amount of waiting will fix the "remote side" message.
If all else fails, the "Control-Alt-Del" trick sometimes works. Ask the remote side to press Ctrl+Alt+Del and then hit Escape. Sometimes this "wakes up" the Windows desktop session and forces the AnyDesk prompt to the foreground.
The please wait for the remote side anydesk message is a symptom of a blocked path. Usually, that path is blocked by a human who hasn't clicked a button, or a piece of software that thinks it's protecting you. Clear those two things, and you're in.