I have searched the existing open and closed issues
I’m trying to set up Rust Desk access on a headless x86_64 Mini PC with DietPi v10.4.2 for occasional remote desktop access. Ideally, I’d like use Rust Desk in conjunction with Tailscale for a direct IP connection, but want to set up a basic Rust Desk connection first before including Tailscale. I can connect to Rust Desk and log in just fine IF a monitor is connected to the DietPi, but receive a “no displays” error on my Rust Desk client when I try to connect to a headless DietPi (normal operation).
I imagine I can buy a dummy plug (VGA, in this case) to simulate a connected monitor, but want to avoid that. Is there a setting that will simulate a connected monitor for Rust Desk to work?
On a related note, I installed the TigerVNC server on DietPi and can connect remotely using a VNC client after manually starting the TigerVNC server on the headless DietPi. So, the TigerVNC server doesn’t appear to need a connected physical monitor.
Required Information
DietPi version | 10.4.2
Distro version | trixie
Kernel version | Linux DietPi 6.12.88+deb13-amd64 #1 SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Debian 6.12.88-1 (2026-05-15) x86_64 GNU/Linux
Architecture | amd64
SBC model | echo $G_HW_MODEL_NAME or (EG: RPi3)
Power supply used | (EG: 5V 1A RAVpower)
SD card used | (EG: SanDisk ultra)
Additional Information (if applicable)
Software title | Rust Desk v1.4.6
Was the software title installed freshly or updated/migrated?
Can this issue be replicated on a fresh installation of DietPi?
← If you sent a “dietpi-bugreport”, please paste the ID here →
I can’t find it right now but I remember there was already a topic about this, where we tried a lot to get it running without a desktop environment. I think in the end we installed
A belated thank you for finding and suggesting this solution!
I was able to access Rust Desk on the headless mini PC by using the xserver-xorg-video-dummy driver. The config tutorial was very helpful and worked as described in the tutorial.
As additional background for others, I had already installed the TightVNC server and happened to have the MATE desktop also installed.
I initially received the “xorg-server-already-active-error” when starting the X server dummy display. This was probably because I already had a virtual display running on start up via the DietPi auto-startup settings. so changed the auto-startup back to the default Manual login (0).
I also uninstalled the MATE desktop and installed the Xfce desktop.
Note that I can access the virtual display of the TightVNC server with a VNC client and connect to the xserver dummy driver via Rust Desk at the same time.