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Troubleshooting player activation and first-time connectivity

A guide to troubleshoot your player not showing its activation code

Dan Haddock avatar
Written by Dan Haddock
Updated over 3 weeks ago

It can be frustrating if you don't immediately see the activation code. These issues are almost always caused by a simple network or connection problem that can be solved in minutes.

This guide will walk you through the process, from what a successful activation looks like to what to do if you encounter an error.


What a normal activation Looks Like

When you first power on your media player and launch the Signagelive application, it will attempt to connect to the internet to request an activation code.

  • What you should see is a screen displaying a unique 6-digit activation code. You will enter this code into your Signagelive network to connect the player.

If you don't see this screen, you can follow the troubleshooting steps below based on what is showing on your display.


Troubleshooting by Symptom

Symptom 1: I see a black screen or a "No Signal" message

This usually points to a physical connection issue.

  • Check Power: Is the media player powered on? Look for status lights on the device itself.

  • Check HDMI: Is the HDMI cable securely plugged into both the player and the screen?

  • Check Input Source: Use the screen's remote to ensure it's set to the correct HDMI input (e.g., HDMI-1, HDMI-2).

Symptom 2: The player boots, but I don't see an activation code

This almost always means the player cannot connect to the internet. Without an internet connection, it cannot contact our servers to get a code.

  • Wired Connection: If using an Ethernet cable, check that it's securely plugged in. Look for flashing green or amber "link lights" on the player's network port, which confirm a live connection.

  • Wi-Fi Connection: If using Wi-Fi, you may need to exit the Signagelive application to access the player's underlying operating system (e.g., Android, ChromeOS, Windows). Go to the device's network settings and ensure it is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network with the correct password.

  • Firewall/Network Security: Corporate, school, or guest networks often have firewalls that block the connection. Ask your IT department to check that traffic to Signagelive's servers is permitted. A full list of endpoints can be found here.

Symptom 3: I see an Error icon/message

  • Refer to this guide for a little more detail on what your error message may be trying to tell you here

  • Our client does not normally output icons with our error handling, so please confirm you are viewing the correct source input. Then, once confirmed, capture an image of the error you are seeing.


Still Stuck? We're Here to Help

Our Support Team is ready to assist if you've worked through these steps and still can't get your activation code. To help us solve your issue quickly, please contact us with the following information:

  • Please provide the make and model of your media player (e.g., BrightSign XT1144, an LG WebOS 4.1 display).

  • A photo of the screen showing exactly what is displayed (e.g., the error icon, a device OS error message).

  • Brief summary of the network checks you have already performed.

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