Overview

VNC (Virtual Network Computing) is a tool that lets you see and control your server's screen from your local computer. Unlike SSH or Remote Desktop, VNC connects directly to the server's display, so it still works even if your server's network settings are broken or the operating system is having trouble starting up. 

Important: VNC can only be accessed using a third-party VNC client installed on your local computer (e.g., UltraVNC, RealVNC, TigerVNC). It is not accessible through the Contabo Customer Control Panel. The Control Panel is only used to retrieve your VNC credentials and manage your VNC password.

Table of Contents

• Before you begin
• Step 1 - Enable VNC and retrieve your credentials
• Step 2 - Install a VNC client
• Step 3 - Connect to your server
• Step 4 - Log in to your operating system
• Ending your VNC session
• Troubleshooting
• Security considerations

Before you begin

• VNC must be enabled on your server before you can connect. If you have not done this yet, follow How do I enable/disable VNC for my server?
• After enabling VNC, reboot your server for the change to take effect.
• VNC credentials (IP address, port, and password) are available in the Customer Control Panel and may change after a server migration. Always retrieve fresh credentials from the panel before connecting.

Step 1 - Enable VNC and retrieve your credentials

1. Log in to the Customer Control Panel.
2. Click Your services in the left-hand navigation.
3. Click Manage next to your server, then select Control.
4. On the control page, click Manage next to your server again.
5. If VNC is not yet enabled, select Enable VNC and reboot the server when prompted.
6. Once enabled, your VNC credentials will be displayed on this page. Note down:
   • VNC IP address
   • VNC port (typically 5900, but may differ)
   • VNC password

Step 2 - Install a VNC client

You need a third-party VNC client on your local computer to connect. The following free clients are recommended:

Install only the VNC Viewer / Client component. You do not need to install a VNC server on your local machine.

Step 3 - Connect to your server

1. Open your VNC client.
2. In the address field, enter your credentials in the format VNC_IP:VNC_PORT. Example: 185.120.120.120:5900
3. Click Connect.
4. When prompted, enter your VNC password.

Note: VNC login is case-sensitive. If you are experiencing login issues, check your keyboard layout — some layouts swap keys (e.g., Y and Z). To test, type a few characters at the login prompt and remove them before entering your actual password.

Step 4 - Log in to your operating system

Linux servers

After the VNC connection is established, a command-line prompt will appear. Log in with your server credentials:

• Username: root (default, unless you use a custom OS image)
• Password: your server password, available in the Customer Control Panel under Manage → Password reset if forgotten

Once logged in, your prompt will appear as: root@your-server:~#

If your Linux installation includes a graphical interface (GUI), you can launch it from here and use both mouse and keyboard normally.

Windows servers

After connecting, you will see a locked screen. To proceed:

1. Click the Send Ctrl+Alt+Del button in your VNC client's toolbar (do not use your physical keyboard shortcut, as it may not pass through).
2. Enter your Windows administrator password at the prompt.

Ending your VNC session

Always log out explicitly when you are finished — VNC sessions do not end automatically when you close the client window.

Linux:

logout

Windows: Log out through the Start menu as you normally would.

Troubleshooting

For further login issues, see Why can't I log in to my server via VNC?

Security considerations

VNC is less secure than SSH or Windows Remote Desktop. It should be used only when standard access methods are unavailable.

• Disable VNC when not in use. You can do this in the Customer Control Panel. See How do I enable/disable VNC for my server?
• Change your VNC password regularly. Go to Customer Control Panel → Your server → Manage → VNC Password.
• Never expose your VNC port to the public internet without additional protection such as a firewall rule restricting access to trusted IP addresses.