Using the VNC Console
The VNC console is like plugging a monitor and keyboard into your server, through your web browser. It works even when the network inside the server is broken, SSH is down, or your firewall has locked you out, so it's the first tool to reach for when you can't connect any other way.
Opening the console
- In the dashboard, go to Cloud VPS and click your server's Instance ID.
- In the Control Console section, click VNC Console.
- The console opens in your browser. If the screen is black, click inside it and press Enter to wake it.
- At the login prompt, sign in as
root(or your admin user) with your server password. The initial root password is shown on the server's page in the dashboard.
When to use VNC instead of SSH
| Situation | Why VNC helps |
|---|---|
| SSH refuses or times out | VNC doesn't depend on the server's network or SSH daemon. |
| You locked yourself out with a firewall rule | Log in on the console and fix or disable the rule. |
| The server won't boot | You can see boot messages, kernel panics, and GRUB menus. |
| Installing an OS from a custom ISO | The installer's screens appear in the console. See ISO images and boot order. |
| Windows servers | Use VNC to reach the desktop if RDP isn't enabled or isn't responding. |
Tips for working in the console
- Copy and paste is limited. Most VNC consoles don't pass your clipboard through. Type short commands by hand. For anything long, fix networking first and then switch to SSH.
- Keyboard layout: the console sends US keyboard input. If symbols come out wrong, your OS keyboard layout probably doesn't match.
- Ctrl+Alt+Del and other special keys are available from the console's toolbar or menu rather than your physical keyboard.
- Passwords don't echo on a Linux login prompt. Nothing appears as you type, which is normal.
Troubleshooting the console
"Cannot create session," or the console won't load. Close the tab, wait 30 seconds, and open it again. Only one console session is active at a time, so a session left open in another tab or browser can block a new one. Also try a private window to rule out browser extensions.
The console connects but shows nothing. Press Enter a couple of times. If the server is powered off, start it from the dashboard. If the screen stays black after a reboot, the OS may be failing to start. Watch the console during a restart to see where it stops.
The console disconnects repeatedly. See My VNC or SSH Session Keeps Disconnecting.
The console isn't working for anyone. If several customers report it at once, it's a platform issue. Check for an active incident before opening a ticket.