---
title: On-Player Setup
slug: technical/on-player-setup
docTags: 
createdAt: 2025-03-11T07:10:25.853Z
---

:::hint{type="danger"}
# Important

As of BrightSignOS **9.0.218** (on the 9.0 branch), and BrightSignOS **9.1.73** (on the 9.1 branch), the **only** option available for On-Player Setup is [Wi-Fi Setup](docId\:CBkH4sLc99bt3QCwtW5sM).

The options below are only available to players running versions of BrightSignOS **PRIOR to 9.0.218 and 9.1.73**.
:::

On-Player Setup (formerly On-Device Setup) starts only if the player has been factory reset, a storage device is present, and there is no Setup File present. 

To perform On-Player Setup, you will need the following:

- A display with attached HDMI**®** cable
- A blank microSD card
- A USB keyboard (and optional USB mouse) **or** an Ethernet cable connected to the local network

Upon startup, the player checks for a network connection:

- If there is a network connection and a provisioning record is present, the player runs provisioning. 
- If there is a network connection but no provisioning record, the player displays the Activation screen. 
- If there is no network connection, the player will display the Player Setup screen as described below. 

To perform On-Player Setup, follow these steps:

1. Connect the display to the player.
2. Insert the microSD card.
3. Attach the USB keyboard (and optional mouse) or Ethernet cable.
4. Power on the player.
5. Wait a few moments and follow the on-screen instructions.

:::hint{type="info"}
**Troubleshooting**

If the Player Setup screen does not appear after a few minutes, try the following troubleshooting steps:

- Ensure the microSD card does not contain an *autorun.brs* file. Players will always execute an *autorun.brs* file rather than running Player Setup.
- Ensure you are using a Series 3 or laterplayer.
- Perform a [Factory Reset](docId\:ynCF7P2PYZo2qedF1JYim) on the player. If the player has already been set up (using BrightSign Author, BSN.Cloud, BrightAuthor Classic, BrightSign Network (BSN), or other means), then Player Setup will not run on the player unless it is reset to factory defaults.
- Try another display and HDMI cable if you don't see anything on screen.
:::

# BrightSign Device Setup

When a non-provisioned player is powered on, the **BrightSign Device Setup** screen will display for 2 minutes: This will give you time to connect a USB keyboard (and optional USB mouse) to the player or access the player using a web browser. Accessing the player using one of these options will lock out the other option (i.e., you can't configure the player using both methods at the same time).

If the countdown timer reaches zero, the player will attempt automated provisioning over the network using B-Deploy or DHCP Option 43. Alternatively, if there are media files in the root directory of the microSD card, the player will begin automated, looping playback of the files when the countdown timer reaches zero.

- **Stop Timer**: Click this button to pause the countdown timer. It cannot be restarted.
- **Next**: Click this button to begin Player Setup.

![](https://app.archbee.com/api/optimize/0prk6SO2dy9LdU77jB8D1/dYM0d5WxkwEzymGP7WJaY_image.png)

If the countdown timer on the Intro screen reaches zero, the player will attempt automated provisioning over the network. Alternatively, if there are media files in the root directory of the microSD card, the player will begin automated, looping playback of the files when the countdown timer reaches zero.

- **Stop Timer**: Click this button to pause the countdown timer. It cannot be restarted.
- **Next**: Click this button to begin Player Setup.

# Network Setup

This screen allows you to choose the network setup for the player.

- **Ethernet**: Connects the player to a wired network via Ethernet.
- **Wi-Fi**: Connects the player to a Wi-Fi network. Refer to [Direct Wi-Fi Setup](docId\:CBkH4sLc99bt3QCwtW5sM) for more details.
- **Use Current Player Settings**: Configure the player without changing the network configuration. This will take you to a screen that will let you choose either BrightSign Author (the default) or BrightAuthor Classic. Use this option if you are connecting with a modem, or you previously configured Wi-Fi using Wi-Fi Setup.
- **No Networking**: Configures the player without networking. If you choose this configuration, the player will be set up with the Standalone Publishing Mode (i.e., you will publish content directly to a microSD card or other storage device) and will not connect to BSN.Cloud or BrightSignNetwork.com.
- **Play Media Files**: Plays media files, if they are present, from the storage device (e.g., microSD card, USB drive) without further configuration.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/511c8QBH-VHiwWnyzIwUb/m0WBjvY20F2JaPNn28j0N_network-setup.png)

## Ethernet

This screen allows you to configure your player's Ethernet connection. If the player is able to communicate with a DHCP server, it will automatically configure itself on the local network and list its IP parameters under **Current Settings**. 

If you wish to use the DHCP settings, you can click **Use Current Settings** without further configuration. If you wish to make changes to the automated configuration, or if the player is not able to contact a DHCP server, click **Change Settings** to configure the network settings manually.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/511c8QBH-VHiwWnyzIwUb/7_hL-t8yvqWXya8EhQBDR_ethernet-settings.png)

### Ethernet Settings

Use this screen to manually configure the network settings of the player:

- **IP Address**:  Select one of the following:
  - **Obtain an IP address automatically**: The player will configure itself on the local network using DHCP. 
  - **Use the following IP address**: The IP settings of the player are configured manually.
- **Proxy**: Check the **Use proxy** box to configure the player to communicate via a proxy server.
  - **Address**: Enter the address of the proxy. To provide a user name and password for the proxy, use the :@ format (for example, *admin\:root\@myproxy.com*).
  - **Port**: Enter the port number of the proxy.
- **Time Server**: Check the **Set Time Server** box to change the server that the player will use to synchronize its clock. The BrightSign Network time server is used by default. 
  - **URL**: Enter the URL for the time server in this field.

When you are finished configuring the network settings, click **Next – Network Diagnostics**; the player will then attempt to connect to the network using these settings.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/511c8QBH-VHiwWnyzIwUb/m4HZzkB5V9McUEi6nJTa6_change-ehternet-settings-2.png)

# Wi-Fi (Wireless) Setup

This screen allows you to connect to a Wi-Fi network:

- **SSID**: Use the dropdown list to select a Wi-Fi network.
- **Security Key**: Enter the password for the Wi-Fi network.

If you need to manually configure the player on the network, click the **Advanced** button to specify the player IP address, proxy server, hostname, etc. Otherwise, click the **Next – Network Diagnostics** button to connect to the Wi-Fi network immediately.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/511c8QBH-VHiwWnyzIwUb/1vZ5gdoRhKyZNQxH3yB2t_wireless-setup.png)

# Advanced Wi-Fi Setup

Use this screen to manually configure the Wi-Fi settings of the player:

- **IP Address**: Select one of the following:
  - **Obtain an IP address automatically**: The player will configure itself on the Wi-Fi network using DHCP. 
  - **Use the following IP address**: The IP settings of the player are configured manually.
- **Proxy**: Check the **Use proxy** box to configure the player to communicate via a proxy server.
  - **Address**: Enter the address of the proxy. To provide a user name and password for the proxy, use the :@ format (for example, *admin\:root\@myproxy.com*).
  - **Port**: Enter the port number of the proxy.
- **Time Server**: Check the **Set Time Server** box to change the server that the player will use to synchronize its clock. The BrightSign Network time server is used by default. 
  - **URL**: Enter the URL for the time server in this field.

When you are finished configuring the Wi-Fi settings, click **Next – Network Diagnostics**; the player will then attempt to connect to the Wi-Fi network using these settings.

## Network Diagnostics

On this screen, the player will first test its connection to the wired/Wi-Fi network. If this test is successful, it will then attempt to connect to the Internet.

These tests can succeed, fail, or succeed partially with errors: Check the **Show Details** boxes to see more information about the tests results.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/511c8QBH-VHiwWnyzIwUb/GMbsi2QChdHMC7GxHvPTJ_network-diagnostics.png)

# Publishing Modes

:::hint{type="warning"}
BSN.Cloud has been removed as an option for On-Player Setup (previously referred to as On-Device Setup) as of BrightSignOS version 9.0.145.1. The options for On-Player Setup are now only available for Standalone, Local Network, and Web Folder (formerly Simple File Networking) Publishing Modes.
:::

Use this screen to select the publishing option for your player. To learn more about the different Publishing Mode, go [here](docId\:rEScIigY-dJRPuZgwaA4e).

- **BSN.Cloud / BrightSign Network**: Use the BSN.Cloud or BrightSign Network content-management system (CMS) to remotely schedule presentations, distribute content, assign players to groups, and monitor the health of players. 
- **Local Network**: Publish presentations and schedules to players over your local network. 
- **Web Folder**: Publish presentations and schedules remotely using your own web server. Enter a URL for the Web Folder, after which the player will reboot and run recovery to download a presentation (if one was published).
- **Standalone**: Publish presentations directly to your player using a microSD card or USB drive. Use this method if your player doesn’t have a network connection or if you don't plan to update the presentation frequently. 

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/511c8QBH-VHiwWnyzIwUb/LX2zgzgoyo2LEXlXeYOfC_publishing-optionsnewer.png)

## BSN.Cloud / BrightSign Network (BSN)

### Sign-In

Use this screen to sign in to the BSN.Cloud or BrightSign Network:

- **Account**: Enter the name of your BrightSign Network account.
- **Username**: Enter your account username (i.e., your email address).
- **Password**: Enter your account password.

![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/511c8QBH-VHiwWnyzIwUb/CelkssHHgpvdI5CydBk19_bsn-sign-in.png)

## Player Settings

The subsequent screens of the wizard enable the configuring of various player settings. These largely mirror the Player Settings of a player Setup File. For more details about these settings, refer to [this page](docId\:XNnXywMV09iEgZIIt7RWA).

When done, click the **Finish** button to complete the setup process.

# Info Page

If the Player Setup page times out, the player will display an info page showing the player's IMEI and ICCID info which allows modem users to troubleshoot issues.