---
title: PiKVM V4 Mini & Plus quick start
description: Getting started with PiKVM V4 Mini & Plus
---

# PiKVM V4 Mini & Plus quick start

![PiKVM V4 Mini & Plus](overview.jpg)

PiKVM is a feature-rich, production grade, open-source, Raspberry Pi based KVM over IP device. It allows you to turn on/off or restart your computer, configure the UEFI/BIOS, and even reinstall the OS using the Virtual CD-ROM or Flash Drive.

You can use your remote keyboard and mouse or PiKVM can simulate a keyboard, mouse, and a monitor, which are then presented in a web browser as if you were working on a remote system directly.

**Datasheets**:

[PiKVM V4 Mini](v4mini_datasheet.pdf){ .md-button } [PiKVM V4 Plus](v4plus_datasheet.pdf){ .md-button }

## What's in the box

![MISSING TOP VIEW IMAGE](v4-in-the-box.jpg)

- PiKVM V4 Mini or Plus device
- Micro SD card with pre-imaged PiKVM software
- ATX control board
- ATX connection cables
- ATX installation brackets
- 1 x Ethernet cable
- 1 x ATX cable
- 1 x USB C to USB A cable
- 12V 2A Power Supply (international adapters)

## Interface

=== "Front view"

    ![MISSING FRONT VIEW IMAGE](v4-plus-front-view.jpg)

    1. Activity LED (Red) 
    2. Power LED (Green) 
    3. Power Input 5.1V 3A 
    4. Power Input 12V 2A **(V4 Plus only)**
    5. Micro SD card slot
    6. USB 3.0 port 1
    7. RJ45 Serial console port
    8. RJ45 1Gb Ethernet port
    9. Serial console active LED / Beacon LED (Green)
    10. USB 2.0 Serial console port 

=== "Rear view"

    ![MISSING REAR VIEW IMAGE](v4-plus-rear-view.jpg)

    1. Beacon LED
    2. USB 2.0 OTG connector
    3. RJ45 ATX control port
    4. USB 3.0 port 2
    5. HDMI video output port 1
    6. HDMI video output port 2
    7. Optional antenna’s mounting holes
    8. Video source ready status LED
    9. HDMI video input port
    10. Video capture ready status LED
    11. Ventilation holes

=== "Side view"

    ![MISSING SIDE VIEW IMAGE](v4-plus-side-view.jpg)

    1. Ventilation holes
    2. Service switches
    3. Kensington Security Slot

=== "Top view"

    ![MISSING TOP VIEW IMAGE](v4-plus-top-view.jpg)

    1. Display

## Wiring

### Network

![MISSING ETHERNET IMAGE](ethernet-connection.jpg)

Connect **Ethernet** (**bottom right** on the **front** side) to the network using the cable from the kit. The kit includes two Ethernet cables of different colors: one for the network, the second for ATX. Use whichever one you like best.

### HDMI

![MISSING HDMI IMAGE](hdmi-connection.jpg)

**HDMI input** (the **bottom right** on the **back** side) and **OTG** port (USB emulation) should be connected to the computer. Optionally, the **[ATX port](atx_board.md)** can be connected to control the power. There should be no USB hub between PiKVM and the computer, as some UEFI/BIOS cannot detect them at the boot stage.

### USB-C

TBD

## Power up

![MISSING POWER IMAGE](power-up.jpg)

V4 Mini and V4 Plus have different power supplies:

- The Mini comes with USB-C 5V power supply
- The Plus comes with with Barrel 12V

The Plus can also work from 5V. In that case, avoid creating a significant power load on USB (external flash sticks, cameras, and so on).

Attach the appropriate connector on the **front** side. Do **not** block the ventilation holes on the sides of the device.

After turning on the power, PiKVM OS generates unique SSH keys and certificates and performs all necessary operations on the memory card. It takes a few minutes. Do **not** turn off the device until it's fully booted for the first time. Once it's done, the PiKVM will show a greeting on the built-in display.

![MISSING GREETING IMAGE](greeting.jpg)

## Connect and set up

### Configure the display

The operating system on your remote computer will treat PiKVM as an additional display and use it in the Extend mode by default. That's why you will see an empty desktop when you first connect.

To avoid that, go to the display settings in your remote computer's operating system and enable the mirror mode for the external screen that you operating system identifies as PiKVM. Refer to your operating system's documentation on that.

### Access PiKVM

By default, PiKVM receives a dynamic IP address via DHCP and shows it on the OLED display. Let's assume that PiKVM has received the address `192.168.0.26` and has also been assigned a hostname `pikvm`.

Type the URL in the browser's address bar and press Enter: https://192.168.0.26/ or https://pikvm/.

![MISSING LOGIN SCREEN](log-in-form.png)

Submit the default credentials: use `admin` for both the user name and the password.

![MISSING LOGIN SCREEN](log-in-form.png)

You will see PiKVM's web user interface:

![MISSING WEBUI SCREEN](log-in-form.png)

### Change the default passwords

For security's sake, it's best to change the default passwords immediately after running PiKVM for the first time. To do that:

1. Open the web terminal

    ![MISSING SCREENSHOT](web-terminal.png)

2. Gain superuser privileges, use `root` for password:

    ```console
    $ su -
    ```

3. Run `rw` to change the access to the SD card to the write mode:

    ```console
    [root@pikvm ~]# rw
    ```

4. Change the password for the superuser:

    ```console
    [root@pikvm ~]# passwd root
    ```

    Submit the new password, retype it the second time to confirm, press Enter, and you should see this:

    ```console
    passwd: password updated successfully
    ```

5. Change the password for web access:

    ```console
    [root@pikvm ~]# kvmd-htpasswd set admin
    ```

    Submit the new password, retype it the second time to confirm, and press Enter.

6. Run `ro` to change the access to the SD card back to the read-only mode:

    ```console
    [root@pikvm ~]# ro
    ```

7. Press **Ctrl+D** to drop the root priveleges.

8. Go back one page in the browser. You should be back to the initial screen.

### Access the remote system

1. On the initial PiKVM screen, click the KVM button to access the remote computer.

    ![Log into PiKVM remotely](logging-in.png)

2. You should now see the host system's display and interact with it remotely using a keyboard and a mouse.

    ![Work remotely](work-remotely.png)

## Further steps

1. **Get to know PiKVM OS**: read [this help section](webui.md) to better understand all the possibilities of the web user interface.

2. **Update and customize the system**:

    - [Update](_update_os.md) the PiKVM operating system.
    - [Harden the remote access](auth.md) by enabling 2FA and setting session expiration time.
    - Configure access to PiKVM from the Internet using [port forwarding](port_forwarding.md) or [Tailscale VPN](tailscale.md).
    - Enable a microphone for [two-way audio](audio.md).
    - Enable [HDMI pass-through](pass.md).

3. **Configure hardware**:

    - Set up [ATX connection](atx_board.md).
    - Configure [DIP switches](dip_switches.md)
    - Install and set up [Wi-Fi antenna](wifi.md).
    - Install and set up [LTE/5G modem](modem.md) (**only for PiKVM V4 Plus**).
    - Set up [USB 3.0](usb3v4.md) (**only for PiKVM V4 Plus**).

-----
## Known issues and limitations

* There may be compatibility issues with some motherboards, such as **HP** or **DELL**. If there is no image from the BIOS, you can fine-tune the HDMI settings, but it is possible that the Mass Storage devices will not be available in the BIOS. In the latter case, [USB dynamic configuration](usb.md) will solve the problem.
* While there is a Mini-PCIe slot in the V4 Plus, it was only designed for LTE modems. An NVME card will not work.

-----
## Getting user support

If something doesn't work, check out our [FAQ](faq.md) (it's really useful). If nothing helped, you can get support in our [Discord chat](https://discord.gg/bpmXfz5).