VLC Remote Connection Testing

This page should help you figure out how to get VLC Remote connected.

If you just want your IP addresses - then here they are:

IP addresses

 

Testing Process

Please try all these tests in order. If one of them doesn't work - then you'll need to fix that before moving on to the next one.

1) Make sure you have the right setup helper!


If you want to use VLC Streamer :This is not the right setup helper! Please download the correct helper here.


vlc remote
If you want to use VLC Remote : This is the right setup helper. Please carry on!

 

1) Local Test

Please click on this link in the browser on the computer where VLC is running.

(link opens in new window)

What do you see?

You should see something like this:

(if you are using an older version of VLC, you won't be asked for a password)

user is blank, password is vlcremote

Leave the User Name blank, and enter 'vlcremote' for the password - you should then see something like this.

vlc remote interface

If you see the VLC interface, then move on to the next test.

If you don't see the interface, then click for troubleshooting steps

Getting the interface working locally.

  1. Make sure that VLC is running on your PC/Mac
  2. Make sure you have run the vlc setup helper from here
  3. If you still can't see the interface, then try the troubleshooting in our faqs

Once you see the interface, move on to test 2

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2) IP Test

Please click on this link (or links) in the browser on the computer where VLC is running.

(links should open in new windows)

If you see the VLC Remote interface (something like the picture above), then move on to the next test.

It is ok if you see the interface on only one of the links. Just stick with that address for the next test.

If don't see the VLC interface (and you DID pass test 1), then something is blocking your connection. Click for details:

click for troubleshooting steps

Getting access with an IP address...

If you passed step 1, but fail on step 2, then something is blocking the connection.

It is probably either:

  • A firewall on your computer.
  • An anti-virus or security program on your computer.

At this point, if you are using a third-party firewall or anti-virus application, then I recommend that you make your life easier by just using the standard security apps. We can configure them for you, they're free and they work well. Click for details.

If you you want to stick with your firewall app, then you need to make sure that you allow:

  • VLC on port
  • Bonjour (also called mdnsResponder.exe)

If you don't get a quick fix, click for steps on unblocking your firewall.

Once you see the interface with this test, then move on to test 3

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3) Test on your phone

So you now know that VLC's remote interface is running.

The question is whether you can access it from your phone.

Please test this link (or links) in the browser on your Mobile Device(your phone or tablet) NOT on your computer.

  • (on an iDevice, that will be Mobile Safari, on Android or Web OS, use the default browser on the device.)

What do you see?

You should see something like this:

(if you are using an older version of VLC, you won't be asked for a password)

User Name is blank, Password is vlcremote

Leave the User Name blank, and enter 'vlcremote' for the password - you should then see something like this.

mobile interface

If you see the VLC interface, then all is well. VLC Remote should work perfectly.

If the remote isn't finding your computer, then you can enter the IP address manually:.

  • Android:
    • Tap on 'Add Computer'
    • Click 'Add manually...'
    • Add any name you like
    • In the 'Remote Address' field, enter one these IP addresses:
  • iPhone
    • Click on 'Settings'
    • Click on 'Add computer manually'
    • Add any name you like
    • In the 'Remote Address' field, enter one these IP addresses:
  • If don't see the VLC interface (and you DID pass test 2), then something is blocking your connection. click for troubleshooting steps

    Getting access from your device

    Something is blocking the connection. These steps should help figure out what.

    Try the first simple checks first:

    1. Make sure your phone is connected to your home wifi network
      • Make sure that your wifi is turned on, and isn't accidentally connected to your neighbours' network!
    2. Your firewall is the most likely problem. Click for steps on unblocking your firewall.
    3. If that doesn't help, then you need to start looking at your Router. This can be tricky - so if you have a techie friend, it might be time to call in a favour.
      • PortForward.com has great details on most routers and how to get them to work for you.
      • You need to unblock VLC on port
      • Some routers have a setting which doesn't allow devices on wifi to 'talk' to devices that are wired.<br/>If your router has a setting like this, then you'll need to disable it.

    If these don't help, then contact me - and please let me know exactly what you got for each step, and what you tried to fix things.

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    Unblocking your firewalls...

    The most common thing to block a connection is your firewall, or an anti-virus or security app that is acting like one.

    At this point, if you are using a third-party firewall or anti-virus application, then I recommend that you make your life easier by just using the standard security apps.

    We can configure them for you automatically, they're free and they work well. Click for details.

    If you want to stick with your existing firewall, then click for troubleshooting steps

    Troubleshooting firewalls

    (you can disconnect your router from the internet while you do these steps - that will keep your computer safe while you disable your security apps)

    1. Completely disable your firewall application
    2. Completely disable your anti-virus application and any other security application.
    3. Reboot the computer (this is important to make the firewall/security changes 'stick')
    4. Try again

    if you can get the connection now, then you know one of these apps was the problem. Turn them on one by one, and tweak them as necessary. (or make your life easier!)

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