Step by Step Tutorial to Set Up VNC on Raspberry Pi

Virtual Network Computing is the obvious option when you work with Linux platforms. In short, it’s called VNC. It’s a cross-platform remote desktop technology that can be used on most operating systems. There is a variety of products available on the market. Few products are free, and few are commercial. But, most of the new Raspberry Pi distributions come with ReavVNC, which supports cloud-based connections right in. This allows you to connect Pi not only within the network but also over the internet. RealVNC gives users the freedom to connect from anywhere. This flexibility makes this option more prominent than others. Let’s see how to set up VNC on the Raspberry Pi.

Note: VNC runs on port 5900. You should open this port on all the middle devices to work the communication from your PC to the Raspberry Pi.

Go to Preferences, then Raspberry Pi configuration

VNC configuration in Raspberry Pi

If you see the problem in enabling the VNC on your Pi, then you may need to install the RealVNC from the repositories.

Prerequisites for setting up VNC on a Raspberry Pi:

Let me know if you need any clarification or have additional questions!

Install the RealVNC on Raspberry Pi

Step 1. Update the system repositories:

Open the terminal if you have direct access. Or, take an SSH session to the Raspberry Pi CLI.
$ sudo apt-get update && apt-get upgrade

Step 2. Install the RealVNC server:

$ sudo apt-get install realvnc-vnc-server

Step 3. Enable VNC server:

$ sudo raspi-config
Got to Interfacing options
Select VNC
Answer Yes
Select Finish to quit (or ESC)

Connect from Windows client: Visit the RealVNC “https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer/” site and download the client for your operating system and install it. Once it’s done, fire up the VNC viewer and enter the Raspberry PI IP address, and hit enter. You are going to see a warning message like this.

Connecting Raspberry Pi using VNC viewer

Select ‘Continue.’ This prompts username and password. In a movement, you are going to see the full-size GUI desktop.

Note: You ended up in some sort of problem if you unplug the monitor, mouse, and keyboard from the Pi and try accessing its GUI desktop over VNC

The problem in connecting Raspberry Pi using VNC viewer

$ sudo raspi-config

The output of “sudo raspi-config” command

Choose Advanced Options.

Advanced Options in Raspberry Pi Software Configuration Tool

Set the resolution as per your screen size. We recommend setting DMT Mode 82 1920 X 1080 69 Hz 16:9.

Setting screen resolution in Raspberry Pi

As we said earlier, it is possible to connect Raspberry Pi over the internet. You need not be part of the network to which Raspberry Pi has connected. To access Pi over the internet, you should create an account on the VNC cloud and sign into it.

Open the VNC application on the Pi and click on the Sign in link.

VNC application on Raspberry Pi

Create your own account here or just sign in if you have already.