Raspberry Pi Headless Setup Guide: No Monitor Needed!

The Raspberry Pi, a credit-card sized computer, has revolutionized how we tinker, learn, and build with technology. But what if you don’t have a spare monitor or simply want a space-saving solution? Enter the headless Raspberry Pi setup!

A headless setup allows you to configure and control your Raspberry Pi entirely remotely, without needing a monitor, keyboard, or mouse attached directly to the device. This unlocks a world of possibilities, from creating a media server tucked away in a cabinet to building a remote-controlled robot.

In this guide, we’ll break down the process of setting up a headless Raspberry Pi step-by-step. We’ll cover everything you need to know, from the hardware and software requirements to remotely accessing your Pi and configuring it for your projects.

Preparation

• Hardware requirements:
  • Raspberry Pi
  • MicroSD card (8GB or larger)
  • Power supply
  • Ethernet cable (optional)
  • A PC with microSD card reader
• Software requirements:
  • Raspberry Pi Imager (https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/)

Installing Raspberry Pi OS

1. Insert a microSD card into your PC
2. Open Raspberry Pi Imager
3. (optional) Click the Choose Device button and select the Pi board
4. Click the Choose OS button and select the OS. You can check the compatity OS for your Pi follow this link https://www.raspberrypi.com/software/operating-systems/
5. Click Choose Storage and select your microSD card.
6. Click Next.
7. Click Edit Settings.
8. Fill in all the fields on the General tab: hostname, username / password, wireless LAN
9. .On the Services tab, toggle enable SSH to on and select “Use password authentication.”
10. Click Save.
11. Click Yes.
12. Click Yes again.
13. It will take a few minutes for the system to download the operating system and write it to your card.