Teamviewer Server with Headless Server

I have a headless server running Windows Server 2008 R2. After searching through the internet, I know that Teamviewer won't work on a headless computer. One solution to make Teamviewer works on headless computer is using a dummy VGA adapter. However with the same adapter and same settings, Teamviewer works on a headless Windows 7 PC but failed on the headless Server 2008 R2.

Please advise is there any difference on the setting in Server 2008 R2?

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dartrunner

If Remote desktop can do it, why can't team viewer?

Paul_DL

If you have a computer with VGA hardware, use one of these...

https://www.amazon.com/EVanlak-Functionally-Operating-Resolutions1920x1080-to2560x1600/dp/B07YLR653H/ref%3Dsr_1_8?crid=3UWGB9KOXRQF&keywords=video+dummy+plug&qid=1696283209&sprefix=video+dummy%2Caps%2C154&sr=8-8

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YMS2Y7P/ref%3Dppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Else the HDMI dummy's listed above (or below).

Sadly, I had to figure this out myself because I didn't see this article.

I simply cannot understand why TeamViewer doesn't tout this as a solution - instead their knowledge base simply blames it on the graphics card, implying it's not solvable - when there is such an easy solution. Go figure......

coperhed

Not sure how to word this so I will say what is going on and what I need it to do.

I am attempting to connect to a computer that does not have a monitor. When I connect the only res I can get is 680x680. I know the video can be adjusted way above 1080p how ever the adjustments are greyed on TV, and due to res I can not scroll within settings on target comp.

I am looking to use this comp remote only so a monitor would not be required, however in its current config it is unusable.

So I guess 1 question would be does a remote computer require a Monitor of a specific res while using it remotely?

Thx

Saastech

I have the same problem. I tried show black screen, disable remote input options but nothing helps.

Saastech

Hello I research on forum and I applied all feedbacks but my problem still contunie.

After I connect the computer I see login windows screen I enter password then desktop not appear and I only see black screen I tried to use advanced settings to show black screen, disable remote input options but nothing helps. Can you please help me?

JeanK

Hello @FosterWorm,

Welcome to the TeamViewer Community! 🚀

As long as the system is not turned off, it is possible to remote control headless systems.

Please find more information here: Use TeamViewer on headless systems

Let me know if you have any further questions! I'll be happy to assist.

/Jean

FosterWorm

Need to remote to a client with no monitor. It is connected to an 85" tv being used as a monitor. It is shut off to conserve energy while I remote in at night. So as expected, the computer sleeps or whatever until it can detect a monitor connection. I read I can get around this using windows remote desktop but I don't feel that is an option. I understand for me to auto-access using windows remote, I would have to be on the same network. That it cannot be set up to work if I am not? I did search the forums, so if this has been addressed before then I blame my inability to use the correct search terminology. Ultimately, I want to see if anyone knows of a type of "keep alive" program or setting that will allow me to remote in without the monitor on. Thank you ( I don't know if I've even chosen the correct category or not as I am not so much a technical person.

cookacounty

Are there plans to support headless displays in windows?

cookacounty

https://community.teamviewer.com/English/discussion/comment/82475#Comment_82475

That is really not helpful, did you read your own Article and the title of this question?

Are there any plans to support headless displays in TV?

SBRAGA

https://community.teamviewer.com/English/discussion/comment/132074#Comment_132074

Thank you so much!

Iconoclast

The solution without having to purchase anything and take up a USB port is to use a software virtual monitor emulator. Some of them do not offer high resolutions, so they are not all created equal, so I would recommend the free software called Amyuni USB Mobile Monitor that I found which took seconds to enable, then I was able to change the resolution in Windows Display settings, and the Teamviewer problem of showing 640 x 480 resolution was fixed. The post by the author of the software is here and has instructions, explains everything, and has the link to download it.

It is so simple, fast, free, and it works! I hope this helps someone else not have to do the hours of research that I had to do.

-Iconoclast

Iconoclast

I asked this question so that I can answer it so that others can easily find the solution without having the read the entire thread of discussion on why this happens which doesn't offer any free solutions. Both replies marked "answers" on that previous post are not correct. The other replies in that other thread explain WHY it happens, but only one solution is offered which is to purchase a dummy display emulator which plugs into a USB port.

According to the information in that thread, it happens because Windows 10 can't figure out the resolution to display without a monitor attached. None of the other computers on my home network which I've run headless ever had this problem, so I'm not sure why this machine does, but it does and I needed a solution.

markemark2

https://community.teamviewer.com/t5/Knowledge-Base-EN/How-do-I-use-TeamViewer-on-headless-systems/ta-p/4256

this article doesn't actually tell you how to use teamviewer on a headless system - it ONLY tells you why it doesn't work - USELESS

Vatsilidis

well done @Someguy123 .

You almost got it working smoothly. One more setting that will help you, is to adjust the color to be NOT in true color but one step down to high color.

I'm happy for finding the root of the cause.

Please try to adjust a little more further these settings (probably decrease a bit the screen resolution) and you will be experiencing perfect remote connection!

One other detail that may help is to update all important system drivers to have it in perfect working order. I'm referring just as an example one of them is the Drivermax.

Also, please have in mind that this is a new upcoming issue since the HDMI dummy plug is a new smart idea, and I believe in the future will exist other people with similar issues to yours. This post will help them to find the solution very fast.

Thank you for listening and trusted me on these steps and best regards.

See you

Someguy123

Right now it seems to be working a little bit better on the optimal setting. I did find a driver that I was able to update for NIVIDA video card. I'm wondering if that is helping some.

I just want to be able to find consistant performance so I can rely on the same performance at all times.

Vatsilidis

Wow, it seems to be a high resolution there!

Could you please decrease it around in half and see the results of the performance?

Someguy123

Here is a picture on the remote machine.

Annotation 2020-03-13 205804.png

Someguy123

Annotation 2020-03-13 205455.png

Are these the settings you are looking for?

Vatsilidis

Please take a look at some screenshots in this post and you will understand.

Also, try to adjust the screen resolution. You will see how to do this on the screenshots again.

One picture equals a thousand words they say. Imagine decades of pictures what they can do!!!

Someguy123

I'm a bit lost - is it under connection, extras, help or feedback? or is it under when you're actually in a session?

Vatsilidis

It is on the top toolbar when connecting. You can take a fast search to menus. It is in a very easy-reading way structured.

Someguy123

Where can I find this on teamviewer?

Vatsilidis

Also, please I'd like to know some details about the dummy monitor plug.

Thank you

Vatsilidis

ok..

Could you please upload some screenshots of both ends graphics menu settings?

Please make sure to hide ID and password.

Someguy123

CPU around 6-10% (max 15%) Memory 15% steady, Disk 1% and network 0%

Still experiening latency in response time with very little windows/applications open. At times it's better than others but it's up and down. When I do have something that has active graphics such as a stream or video, teamviewer will skyrocket to 40-50% CPU.

Vatsilidis

Could you go to the task manager and monitor the usage of the disk drive, the CPU, the RAM, and the Network?

It could be something in 100% of workload or space load for RAM and causing this big delay to all other processes. Note that you can have many windows open of the task manager at the same time, in order to monitor all these 4 critical areas.

Leave it open at the beginning of the connection and look at what is happening.

Best regards

Someguy123

Right now I have an HDMI dummy plug in my headless machine. Both have 32g ram and plenty of power on both ends.

Both machines i'm using have NVIDIA Geforce graphics cards installed properly and only 1 card.

My connection will run smoothly for 1-5 minutes and then all of a sudden i'll experience extreme lag. Often if I try to move around or open other windows/applications. Lag and eventual freezing will occur for a short period. Then the connection will pick back up and work again for a little bit. I can't ever seem to establish a smooth connection for extended periods of time.

I don't know what else I can do to fix this.

Vatsilidis

As a continue to the previous reply, at first, I would suggest you ta take a look at this post about headless systems graphics and possible issues.

Second, there are several settings about the graphics during a connection.

One other factor is if the software driver of the graphic card to the remote pc is installed properly. I mean that it must be from the vendor of the graphic card for a discrete card or from the vendor of the motherboard for onboard cards. In any case, it shouldn't be the driver of the operating system and there are case things get complicated in a system with two graphic cards at the same time, like a laptop with an onboard and dedicated card. Many of these times are using both graphic cards in parallel or simultaneously. You could try to disable in that case the dedicated graphic card and work with the onboard one. But of course, it may exist other factors causing a delay in graphics.

Thank you and I hope some of these details to give you a solution

Best regards

Vatsilidis

Hi @Someguy123

Thanks for post this issue, it may help other people facing the same or similar issue to you in the future as the dummy plug monitor it becomes day to day even more famous.

I believe that the main reason for this issue is the fact that the dummy plug fitted on your computer it fools the computer and thinking that a high-resolution monitor is has been attached on it, and as result is a tying to unleash and transfer its full graphical potential to the computer you are seating front.

The mobile phone has probably a smaller resolution and auto-scaling may occur.

Please give it a try in this direction and see if works.

Best regards

Someguy123

Hello all!

I currently have an HDMI dummy plug into my tower & when I remote in via teamviewer the connection is very slow and often completely freezes. I'm using the suggested optimal resolution and i've tried adjusting all view settings to optimize, but nothing works. When it try logging in via my cellphone the connection is very smooth. It only seems to be very laggy when I remote in from my other computer.

Any suggestions on how to improve this?