Remote control your Raspberry Pi from your PC with VNC!

Controlling your Raspberry Pi remotely using VNC (Virtual Network Computing) is a powerful way to manage your Pi’s desktop interface from your PC. Whether you’re setting up a media center, developing IoT projects, or simply want to access your Pi remotely, VNC provides a seamless and effective solution.

What is VNC?

VNC (Virtual Network Computing) is a graphical desktop-sharing system that allows you to remotely control another computer’s screen through the network. Using VNC, you can interact with your Raspberry Pi as though you were using it directly, with full access to the desktop interface.

The official Raspberry Pi OS includes RealVNC Server, making it easier to establish a remote connection.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, ensure you have the following:

• A Raspberry Pi with Raspberry Pi OS installed (preferably the latest version)
• A stable Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection
• A PC with RealVNC Viewer installed

Step 1: Enable VNC on Your Raspberry Pi

By default, VNC is disabled on Raspberry Pi OS. Follow these steps to enable it:

1. Open the Raspberry Pi Configuration tool:
   • Click the Raspberry Pi Menu (top-left corner) > Preferences > Raspberry Pi Configuration.
2. Go to the Interfaces tab.
3. Enable the VNC option by clicking the corresponding Enable radio button.
4. Click OK to save changes.

Alternatively, you can enable VNC using the terminal:

sudo raspi-config

• Select Interface Options.
• Choose VNC and select Yes to enable it.
• Reboot your Raspberry Pi to apply the changes.

Step 2: Find Your Raspberry Pi’s IP Address

To connect from your PC, you’ll need your Pi’s IP address.

Run this command on your Raspberry Pi’s terminal:

hostname -I

Take note of the IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.100).

Step 3: Install RealVNC Viewer on Your PC

1. Download RealVNC Viewer from the official website: https://www.realvnc.com/en/connect/download/viewer/
2. Install and launch VNC Viewer on your PC.

Step 4: Connect to Your Raspberry Pi with VNC Viewer

1. Open VNC Viewer on your PC.
2. In the address bar, enter your Raspberry Pi’s IP address (e.g., 192.168.1.100).
3. Press Enter. A security warning may appear; click Continue.
4. Enter your Raspberry Pi’s username and password (default: pi and raspberry).
5. Click OK to connect.

Once connected, you can fully control your Raspberry Pi’s desktop environment from your PC.

Step 5: Secure Your VNC Connection

Since VNC exposes your Raspberry Pi to remote connections, it’s crucial to enhance security:

• Change Default Password: Use the command below to update your Pi’s password:

passwd

• Enable Encryption: RealVNC Server supports encryption for secure connections. Access the VNC Server settings on your Pi and enable encryption for better security.
• Set Strong Credentials: Use unique, strong usernames and passwords to prevent unauthorized access.

Step 6: Setup Port Forwarding for Remote Access (Optional)

To access your Raspberry Pi from outside your local network:

1. Log in to your router’s admin panel.
2. Locate Port Forwarding settings.
3. Forward Port 5900 (default VNC port) to your Raspberry Pi’s local IP address.
4. Use your public IP address in VNC Viewer to connect remotely.

For better security, consider setting up a VPN for safe remote access instead of direct port forwarding.

Step 7: Automate VNC Startup on Boot (Optional)

To ensure VNC Server starts automatically with your Raspberry Pi:

1. Run this command to enable VNC on boot:

sudo systemctl enable vncserver-x11-serviced.service

2. Reboot your Raspberry Pi for the changes to take effect:

sudo reboot

Troubleshooting

• “Cannot Connect” Error: Ensure both your PC and Raspberry Pi are on the same network.
• “Connection Refused” Error: Check that VNC Server is running using:

sudo systemctl status vncserver-x11-serviced.service

• Slow Performance: Lower the screen resolution of your Raspberry Pi for better responsiveness.

Conclusion

By following this guide, you can efficiently set up VNC for remote control of your Raspberry Pi. Whether you’re developing projects, troubleshooting issues, or simply want to access your Pi’s interface conveniently, VNC offers a flexible solution for remote connectivity.