We have already written a dedicated guide on how to use a Windows laptop as a monitor for Raspberry Pi, but it’s a wired setup. So we put together another article for remotely accessing Raspberry Pi, but it also requires a one-time setup with an Ethernet cable. Not all users have a spare Ethernet cable or a monitor at home. In addition, not many use a Wi-Fi router at home. So to make things truly remote and wireless, we have come up with another tutorial. Here, we will explain how you can connect Raspberry Pi to a Windows laptop without an Ethernet cable, monitor, or router. So without any delay, let’s jump to the steps and learn how to access a headless Raspberry Pi.
In this article, We have explained the steps from scratch, meaning even beginners can get started with their Raspberry Pi projects with ease. Follow our step-by-step guide to access the headless Raspberry Pi without a monitor, Ethernet cable, Wi-Fi router, or even an HDMI cable.
- Downloads
- Flash Raspbian OS on Raspberry Pi
- Generate IP Address for the Headless Raspberry Pi
- Connect Headless Raspberry Pi to Windows Laptop Without Ethernet or Monitor
- Troubleshoot Guide
Downloads
- You need to download Raspbian OS from here. I suggest downloading “Raspberry Pi OS with desktop and recommended software” on the web page that opens. It will have all the required packages, utilities, and dependencies.
Flash Raspbian OS on Raspberry Pi
- Once you have downloaded Raspbian OS, extract the ZIP file. You will get an IMG file.
Now that you have flashed the card and created the SSH file, it’s time to generate the IP address for the headless Raspberry Pi. In this method, you will need a home Wi-Fi network. If you don’t have a router at home, you can create a hotspot on your smartphone and share it with your computer and Raspberry Pi. Here is how to do it.
Once downloaded, open it with a text editor, preferably Notepad. Here, change the “Wi-Fi Hotspot name” to your Wi-Fi home network or hotspot. Similarly, change the “Wi-Fi Hotspot Password” to the password you have set for your router or mobile hotspot. Make sure to enter the details exactly as they are.
For users who are using a mobile hotspot, download the Fing app (Android / iOS) on your smartphone and scan the network. It will automatically identify the Raspberry Pi and show you the IP address. Note it down.
Now that you have generated the IP address, here is how you can connect the headless Raspberry Pi to your Windows laptop without an Ethernet cable or monitor. Open Command Prompt on your Windows computer and enter ssh pi@[IP Address].
Run the command sudo raspi-config to open the Configuration tool.
Finally, hit enter to apply the changes. Next, move to “Finish” by pressing Tab and hit Enter. It will reboot your Raspberry Pi, and the SSH session will end. Now, close the CMD window.
If you get the “Cannot currently show the desktop” error while trying to connect your Raspberry Pi to a laptop display, there is nothing to worry about. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.
ssh pi@[IP address]
- Here, open “Display Options” and navigate to “Resolution”. But if you have an old Raspberry Pi, you will find this setting under “Advanced Options”.
