How to install and Configure VNC (TigerVNC) server in CentOS / RHEL 7

Updated: 28 September 2026 · Applies to: AlmaLinux 9 / Rocky Linux 9 (TigerVNC)

CentOS/RHEL 7 are end of life. On AlmaLinux 9 / Rocky Linux 9 TigerVNC runs as a systemd service per user. The server needs a desktop environment.

Install

dnf groupinstall "Server with GUI"      # if no desktop is installed yet
dnf install tigervnc-server

Configure

1. As the user, set a VNC password: vncpasswd.
2. Map a display number to the user in /etc/tigervnc/vncserver.users: :1=alice.
3. Optionally set the desktop and size in ~/.config/tigervnc/config: session=gnome and geometry=1920x1080.
4. Start it: systemctl enable --now vncserver@:1.

Connect securely

Display :1 listens on port 5901. Do not open it to the internet: connect through an SSH tunnel (ssh -L 5901:localhost:5901 alice@SERVER-IP, then localhost:5901 in your VNC viewer).

On Ubuntu 24.04, install tigervnc-standalone-server and a desktop; or use xrdp (see "How To Install xrdp on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8?").

Manage the service

systemctl status vncserver@:1
systemctl restart vncserver@:1
journalctl -u vncserver@:1          # errors when the desktop does not start

A black or grey screen usually means the same user is also logged in on the local desktop, or the session name in the config does not match an installed desktop (see ls /usr/share/xsessions).