Encountering a VNC connection refused error on your Raspberry Pi can be frustrating, especially if you're working in a headless setup. This issue often arises when there's a misconfiguration or service not running as expected. Understanding the root cause and following a systematic troubleshooting process is key to resolving this problem.
In this guide, we will explore common reasons behind the VNC Connection Refused error and provide step-by-step instructions to help you fix it. Whether you're using RealVNC, TightVNC, or any other VNC client, these solutions should apply universally for Raspberry Pi users. Let’s dive into the details and resolve this issue effectively.
A connection is quite easy to achieve if the Raspberry Pi is attached to a HDMI monitor, however, Vnc Viewer will not connect in headless mode. This typically happens because the VNC server isn't properly configured or isn't running at all when the Pi boots up without a display. Ensuring that the VNC server starts automatically during boot can solve this issue. Additionally, checking firewall settings and ensuring the correct IP address is used can also prevent connection issues.
Ensuring Proper Configuration of VNC Server
Your problem indicates that your Raspberry Pi was reached by the connection attempt, but that no service was running on the relevant port. To address this, first verify that the VNC server is installed and enabled on your Raspberry Pi. You can do this by opening the terminal and typing `sudo systemctl status vncserver-x11-serviced`. If the service isn’t active, enable it with `sudo systemctl enable vncserver-x11-serviced` and then start it using `sudo systemctl start vncserver-x11-serviced`.
It’s important to ensure that the VNC server is correctly configured to listen on the appropriate port. By default, VNC uses port 5900, but some configurations might require adjustments. Check the `/etc/vncserver/vncserver.conf` file to confirm the settings are as expected. If necessary, modify the configuration to match your network requirements.
Once the server is running, restart your Raspberry Pi to ensure all changes take effect. After rebooting, try reconnecting via your VNC client to see if the issue has been resolved. If problems persist, consider disabling any firewalls temporarily to rule out network interference.
Switching to X11 for Compatibility
Re: VNC connection problem - Bookworm Pi3B should be using X11 instead of Wayland. RealVNC is still supported from Pi 0 - 3, as mentioned on various forums. If you're experiencing connection issues, switching from Wayland to X11 may resolve compatibility problems. Edit the `/boot/config.txt` file and add the line `dtoverlay=vc4-fkms-v3d` followed by setting `start_x=1` and `gpu_mem=128`.
This change forces the Raspberry Pi to use the older X11 system, which is more compatible with traditional VNC setups. Once these settings are applied, reboot your Pi to apply the changes. It's also worth noting that certain versions of RealVNC might not fully support newer operating systems or graphical environments, so updating your software stack could improve stability.
After making these adjustments, test the connection again. If successful, you can revert the firewall settings back to their original state for added security. Remember to document all changes made during troubleshooting so you can easily identify what worked if issues arise in the future.
Troubleshooting Network Issues
Connection refused errors can sometimes stem from network misconfigurations rather than VNC server issues. For instance, if your Raspberry Pi is part of a local network with strict firewall rules, it might block incoming connections on port 5900. Ensure that your router allows traffic on this port and that no conflicting devices occupy the same IP address.
Another potential cause involves incorrect IP addresses being used for connections. Double-check the IP address assigned to your Raspberry Pi either through the DHCP lease list on your router or by running `hostname -I` directly on the Pi itself. Using an outdated or wrong IP address will result in failed connection attempts regardless of VNC server status.
If none of the above steps work, consider resetting both your Raspberry Pi and the device attempting the VNC connection. Sometimes simply restarting hardware components clears transient glitches causing connectivity problems. Also, clearing browser caches or switching between different VNC clients (such as TightVNC versus RealVNC) may yield better results depending on specific use cases.
