Desktop Player Troubleshooting

Desktop Player Troubleshooting

Common Deployment Issues

If you’re experiencing issues with the deployment of the Vibe Desktop Player, follow these steps to identify and resolve the problem: 


  1. Check the System Tray: Open the System Tray and ensure the Vibe Player is running. 
    A screenshot of a computer Description automatically generated
  2. Verify Logs: 
    1. Double-click the Vibe Player in the System Tray to open the logs. 
    2. Ensure there are no errors and confirm slides are downloading correctly to the respective channels. 
  3. Confirm File Downloads: 
    1. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to:  C:\Program Files (x86)\Vibe Desktop Player\data 
    2. Check that files are being downloaded to the appropriate folders: 
      1. \ScreenSaver\ 
      2. \DesktopBackground\ 
      3. \LockScreen\ 
      4. LoginScreen.jpg
  4. Check for Group Policy Conflicts: 
    1. Ensure there are no existing Group Policies for the Windows Screensaver, Lock Screen, or Wallpaper that could overwrite or conflict with Vibe’s registry settings. 
    2. Disable any policies affecting these channels. 
  5. Verify Registry Settings: 
    1. Review each registry value listed in the table for your required channels and confirm all settings are applied correctly. 
    2. Note: If incorrect content is being displayed, verify that the Authcode values in the registry match the codes in the Vibe License Manager. 
  6. Check Your Command Lines! Ensure the following guidelines are followed:
    1. MSI Switch names (i.e. SS_WAIT_MIN) : Case sensitive and must be in UPPERCASE.
    2. Switch values (i.e. Yes / No): Not case sensitive.
  7. Existing Group Policies: Ensure there are no existing Group Policies that might override the above settings, as any active Group Policies will take precedence over changes made during the Vibe Desktop Player installation
  8. Contact Support if Needed: If the issue persists after following these steps, contact your Vibe Support team for further assistance. 

Registry Values

MSI Package

MSI Switch
Key Information
SITE_URL

Key Name: ApiUrl
Value Type: String
Key Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer

Defines the unique Vibe portal URL for the MSI package.
Key Value: Enter your unique Vibe portal URL
e.g. https://[sitename].vibe.fyi/modules/digitalsignage/webservice/digitalsignage.asmx
SYNC_INTERVAL_MIN

Key Name: MinutesBetweenSyncs
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer

Specifies the time interval (in minutes) between slide synchronisation across all channels. 
Default: 30 minutes.
Key Value: 30
RANDOM_START
Key Name: RandomStart
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer

When enabled (1), the Screensaver will randomly select the starting slide,
and the LockScreen/Desktop Background will randomly select a starting image.
Key Value: 1

Key Name: SlidesFolder
Value Type: String
Key Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer

Specifies the local directory where Vibe Desktop Player slides are stored.
Key Value: C:\Program Files (x86)\Vibe Desktop Player\data

Screensaver

MSI Switch
Key Information
ENABLE_SS
Enables or disables the screensaver feature.
Key Name: ScreenSaver
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer
SS_AUTHCODE

Screensaver authentication code entered during installation.
Key Name: ApiAuthCode
Value Type: String
Key Path: 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer
SS_WAIT_MIN
Key Name: ScreenSaveTimeOut
Value Type: String
Key Path: 

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

Defines idle time (in seconds) before the screensaver starts.
Default: 300 seconds (5 minutes).
Key Value: 300
SS_ON_RESUME
Key Name: ScreenSaverIsSecure
Value Type: String
Key Path: 

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop

Determines if a password is required when resuming from the screensaver.
Key Value: 1
1 = Enabled, 0 = Disabled.
SS_LOGO
Key Name: CustomLogo
Value Type: String
Key Path: 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer
DISABLE_SS_INFOBAR
Key Name: DisableInformationBar
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path:
 HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer

Controls the information bar visibility. 0 = Enabled, 1 = Disabled.
Key Value: 0
SS_INFOBAR_SYNC_SEC
Key Name: SecondsBetweenInformationBarSyncs
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: 

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer

Defines the time interval (in seconds) for the information bar to check for updates or
emergency alerts. 

Default: 30 seconds.
Key Value: 30

Key Name: SCRNSAVE.EXE
Key Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Value Type: String

Specifies the path to the screensaver executable file (.scr).
Key Value: C:\Program Files (x86)\Vibe Desktop Player\Vibe Screensaver.scr

Key Name: ScreenSaveActive
Key Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Value Type: String

Determines whether the screensaver is enabled. 1 = Enabled, 0 = Disabled.
Key Value: 1

Key Name: EnableScreensaverWhenSlideshow
Key Path: 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)

Ensures the screensaver runs even when the lock screen slideshow is active.
Key Value: 1

Key Name: NoScreenSaver
Key Path: 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)

Enables (0) or disables (1) the screensaver.
Key Value: 0

Lock Screen

MSI Switch
Key Information
ENABLE_LSKey Name: LockScreen
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer

Enables (1) or disables (0) the lock screen.
Key Value: 1
LS_AUTHCODE
Lock screen authcode entered during installation.
Key Name: LockScreenApiAuthCode
Value Type: String
Key Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer
TRIGGER_LS
Key Name: TriggerLockScreen
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer
Key Value: 0
(1) Enables  or  (0) disables the lock screen.
TRIGGER_LS_DELAY_MIN
Key Name: TriggerLockScreenDelayInMinutes
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer
Key Value: 15 (Decimal)
Set a time interval between screensaver starts and activating lock screen.

Key Name: LockScreenImagePath
Value Type: String
Key Path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PersonalizationCSP

Specifies the path to a custom Lock Screen and Login Screen image.
Key Value: C:\Program Files (x86)\Vibe Desktop Player\data

Key Name: LockScreenImageStatus
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PersonalizationCSP

Indicates the status of the lock screen image. When set to 1, it confirms that the lock screen image specified in LockScreenImagePath is applied.
Key Value: 1

Key Name: SlideshowEnabled
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\PersonalizationCSP

Set this value to 0 to disable the Lock Screen slideshow. Use 1 only when the Screensaver feature is not being used.
Key Value: 0

Key Name: NoChangingLockScreen
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization\

Setting this to 1 will prevent the user from changing the lock screen backround image.
Key Value: 1

Key Name: AnimateLockScreenBackground
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization\

A registry value of 1 prevents laptops with gyroscopes from moving the lock screen image as the laptop is moved, as this also caused the image to zoom in.
Key Value: 1

Key Name: LockScreenMinutesTillPcGoesToSleep
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer

Set a time limit for how long the computer will remain active while on the lock screen before it automatically enters sleep mode.
Key Value: 0

Key Name: NoLockScreen
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: 
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Personalization

We don't set this value. Reference for troubleshooting only.
If the lockscreen is not showing, check that this value has not be set to 1 via a group policy.
Setting it to 0 enables the Lock Screen, while 1 disables it.

Key Name: SlideshowDuration
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Lock Screen

if LockScreenMinutesTillPcGoesToSleep is 30, 60 or 180,
set this value to LockScreenMinutesTillPcGoesToSleep * 60000
Key Value: 1800000

Background Wallpaper

MSI Switch
Key Information
ENABLE_BG
Key Name: DesktopBackground
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer
Key Value: 0
BG_AUTHCODE
Background Wallpaper authcode entered during installation.

Key Name: DesktopBackgroundApiAuthCode
Value Type: String
Key Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer
BG_IMAGE_INTERVAL_SEC
Key Name: DesktopBackgroundSecondsBetweenImages
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer
Key Value: 30

Key Name: WallpaperStyle
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\

Set to 1 which means centered.
Key Value: 1

Key Name: TileWallpaper
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\

Set to 0 which means not tiled.
Key Value: 0

Key Name: CurrentBackgroundImage
Value Type: String
Key Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer
Key Value: C:\Program Files (x86)\Vibe Desktop Player\data\DesktopBackground\abc.jpg

Key Name: SlideshowTimeout
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Wallpapers\

We set this to 1 to stop the wallpaper slide show from keeping the computer active,
which stops the screensaver from showing.
Key Value: 1

Power Saving

MSI Switch
Key Information
CONSOLE_LOCK_TIMEOUT
Key Name: Attributes
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path:  
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings
\7516b95f-f776-4464-8c53-06167f40cc99\8EC4B3A5-6868-48c2-BE75-4F3044BE88A7

Show the power option "Display > Console lock display off timeout".
Key Value: 2
WAIT_BATT
Key Path:  Set via Power Shell Command
Key Value: 600
WAIT_PLUG
Key Path: Set via Power Shell Command
Key Value: 1800
WAIT_BATT_LOCK
Key Path: Set via Power Shell Command
Key Value: 600
WAIT_PLUG_LOCK
Key Path: Set via Power Shell Command
Key Value: 1800

Key Name: IdleTimeout
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power

Controls the time in seconds before the system goes into sleep mode.
Key Value: 1800

Key Name: ShowLockScreenTimeout
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Authentication\LogonUI\SessionData\

Setting this will change how long the lock screen stays visible before
the PC turns off the display or goes to sleep. The value is in seconds
(ie: 600 = 10 minutes).
Key Value: 600

Key Name: SlideshowTimeout
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
\Explorer\Wallpapers

We set this to 1 to stop the Wallpaper Slideshow from stopping the PC from going to sleep.
Key Value: 1

Others

MSI Switch
Key Information
DISABLE_APP_CLOSE

Key Name: DisableAppClose
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer
Key Value: 0
OVERWRITE_USER_SETTINGS

Key Name:  OverwriteUserSettingsDatetime
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer

Key Value: 1/17/2025  2:24:53 PM

Key Name: AutoMinimiseToTray
Value Type: DWORD (32-bit)
Key Path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\WOW6432Node\VibeDesktopPlayer

Set to 0 to disable auto minimising.
Key Value: 1

Registry Values that can cause conflicts

Registry Key Name
Description
InactivityTimeoutSecs

Key Path: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
Key Value: Remove Key
Note: This value locks the session after X seconds of inactivity. If using 'TRIGGER_LS' to control the lock screen activating separate to the screensaver. This setting should be removed.
MaxInactivityTimeDeviceLock

Key Path: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\DeviceLock
Key Path: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\current\device\DeviceLock
Key Value: Remove Key
Note: Same behaviour as InactivityTimeoutSecs but deployed via Intune/MDM.

Update Auth Codes in the Registry

Use the following registry to update your auth codes manually: \HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\VibeDesktopPlayer
  • ApiAuthCode = Screensaver Auth Code
  • LockScreenApiAuthCode = Lock Screen Auth Code
  • DesktopBackgroundApiAuthCode = Desktop Auth Code

Known Issues

  1. Screensaver takes longer than 10 seconds to display slides
    If the screensaver is slow to start, it is usually caused by one of the following system conditions:

    1. Low disk space on the primary drive
      The screensaver may delay if the primary drive has less than 15 percent free space available. Low storage can affect overall system performance and slow down application startup

    2. Limited system resources
      Devices with constrained memory or CPU capacity may take longer to load and render screensaver content. This can occur when the system is under heavy load or the hardware has limited specifications.

  1. Screensaver resets to None after Updating Screensaver Settings
    This can occur if 8.3 filename compatibility is disabled. When this setting is off, Windows may alter the SCRNSAVE.EXE registry value, which causes the Screensaver dropdown to revert to None after saving changes.

    How to check 8.3 compatibility
    Run the following command in an elevated Command Prompt or PowerShell: 
    fsutil 8dot3name query C:

    If it is disabled, you have two options:
  1. Install the latest Vibe Player, which includes a fix for this issue.
  2. Enable 8.3 compatibility: fsutil 8dot3name set C: 0
  1. Lock Screen does not appear after waking from sleep
    In Windows 11, if Display (Screen) Sleep and Computer (Device) Sleep are set to the same value, the system may enter sleep immediately after the display turns off. This prevents the Lock Screen from activating and can result in the device waking straight to the desktop.

    How to prevent this:
    Set Display (Screen) Sleep to trigger before Computer (Device) Sleep so the Lock Screen has time to engage before the system sleeps.


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