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Levis Chiri
Levis Chiri

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🧠 Raspberry Pi Headless Setup Guide (SSH, VNC, Essentials)

#programming #raspberrypi #linux #micropython

This guide walks you through setting up a Raspberry Pi (headlessly) using Raspberry Pi Imager, enabling SSH, configuring Wi-Fi, setting up VNC Viewer, fixing common issues, and using essential commands.

📥 1. Installing Raspberry Pi OS Using Raspberry Pi Imager

✅ Step 1: Download Raspberry Pi Imager

✅ Step 2: Flash the OS to the MicroSD Card

  • Insert a microSD card (≥16GB).
  • Open Raspberry Pi Imager and select:

Select OS and Storage

  • Choose OS → Raspberry Pi OS (Recommended)
  • Choose Storage → Select your SD card

⚙️ Configure Wi-Fi and SSH (Optional but recommended)

  • Click the ⚙️ (Settings) icon:

Settings

  • Set:

    • Hostname Set Hostname
    • Wi-Fi SSID & Password WiFi Config
    • Enable SSH Enable SSH

  • Save & click Write to flash.

🛠️ Step 3: Manual Headless SSH & Wi-Fi Setup (If Not Done Above)

  1. Open the boot partition on the SD card.
  2. Create empty ssh file: 
touch /boot/ssh
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  1. Create wpa_supplicant.conf: 
nano /boot/wpa_supplicant.conf
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Paste:

country=US
ctrl_interface=DIR=/var/run/wpa_supplicant GROUP=netdev
update_config=1

network={
  ssid="Your_WiFi_Name"
  psk="Your_WiFi_Password"
  key_mgmt=WPA-PSK
}
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  1. Save & eject. Insert into Pi and power on.

💻 2. Connect to Raspberry Pi via SSH

🔍 Find the IP Address

  • With monitor: 
hostname -I
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  • Headless: 
ping raspberrypi.local
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🔐 SSH from PC 

ssh pi@<Raspberry_Pi_IP>
# Example:
ssh pi@192.168.1.100
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  • Default user: pi
  • Password: raspberry

🔄 3. Update the Raspberry Pi 

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
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🖥️ 4. Enable & Configure VNC

Enable VNC Server: 

sudo raspi-config
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  • Go to Interfacing Options → VNC → Enable

Enable VNC

  • Exit & reboot: 
sudo reboot
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Install VNC Server (if needed) 

sudo apt install realvnc-vnc-server realvnc-vnc-viewer -y
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Start:

vncserver
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🔗 5. Connect via VNC Viewer

  • Download: VNC Viewer
  • Enter your Raspberry Pi IP (e.g. 192.168.1.100)

VNC Viewer

  • Login:
    • Username: pi
    • Password: raspberry

🧯 6. Fix: “Cannot currently show the desktop”

Fix 1: Set a Virtual Display 

sudo nano /boot/config.txt
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Uncomment or add:

hdmi_force_hotplug=1
hdmi_group=2
hdmi_mode=82
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Then:

sudo reboot
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Fix 2: Restart VNC 

sudo systemctl restart vncserver-x11-serviced
# or
vncserver
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Fix 3: Reinstall Desktop 

sudo apt install --reinstall raspberrypi-ui-mods
sudo reboot
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🛠️ 7. Essential Raspberry Pi Commands

🔄 System Update 

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
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🔍 System Info 

uname -a               # Kernel
vcgencmd measure_temp  # CPU Temp
df -h                  # Disk
free -m                # RAM
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⚙️ Services 

sudo systemctl status vncserver-x11-serviced
sudo systemctl restart vncserver-x11-serviced
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🌐 Networking 

ip a
ping google.com
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📁 File Ops 

ls
cd /path/to/folder
mkdir new_folder
rm -r folder_name
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🔁 Reboot/Shutdown 

sudo reboot
sudo shutdown -h now
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🌐 8. Set Static IP (Optional) 

sudo nano /etc/dhcpcd.conf
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Add:

interface wlan0
static ip_address=192.168.1.150/24
static routers=192.168.1.1
static domain_name_servers=8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4
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Save and reboot.

📦 9. Install Useful Software 

sudo apt install python3 python3-pip git nodejs npm -y
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⚡ 10. Enable GPIO for Projects 

sudo raspi-config
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  • Go to Interfacing Options → Enable GPIO

Install libraries:

sudo apt install python3-gpiozero python3-rpi.gpio -y
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Test:

import RPi.GPIO as GPIO
GPIO.setmode(GPIO.BCM)
print("GPIO Ready!")
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🌍 11. Optional: Web Server Setup (Apache) 

sudo apt install apache2 -y
sudo systemctl status apache2
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Access from browser:

http://<Raspberry_Pi_IP>
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project files, or embed code repos.

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