Installer's Guide: Generic Device Installation Guide For NowSignage

About this guide:

This guide covers the steps that apply to every NowSignage installation, regardless of device manufacturer or operating system (OS)

1. Before You Arrive on Site

Confirm the following before leaving for the install. Arriving without these will delay or block the installation.

1.1 Tools and equipment

✓	What to bring
☐	USB keyboard and mouse — required to navigate device settings on most hardware
☐	USB drive — required for installing the NowSignage app on many devices (e.g. Android APK sideload) and for firmware updates where OTA is not available
☐	Spare HDMI cable — in case the supplied cable is faulty or missing
☐	Device PIN(s) — provided by your project coordinator, one per screen
☐	Network credentials — Wi-Fi SSID and password, or confirmation that ethernet is available at the site

1.2 Confirm network availability at the site

NowSignage is a cloud-based platform. An active internet connection is not optional — it is required for the app to download, for content to be received, and for the device to remain online and managed.

Confirm with the site or project coordinator that a network connection (ethernet or Wi-Fi) will be available and accessible at the install location before attending.
If network access is restricted or requires IT approval (e.g. MAC address whitelisting, firewall rules), this must be resolved before the install date.

❗No network = no installation

If there is no internet connection at the site when you arrive, the installation cannot be completed successfully.

The NowSignage app requires internet access to download, register the device, and display content.

Do not attempt to work around this — escalate to your project coordinator to resolve before rescheduling.

2. Physical Setup

Complete the physical setup before attempting any network or software steps.

2.1 Know your setup type

Before starting, identify which type of hardware you are working with — this determines some of the steps below.

System on Chip (SoC) display

External media player + display

The display has a built-in media player. There is a single device to set up.

Examples: Samsung Tizen, LG webOS, Philips SoC, Sony Bravia SoC, Hisense M-Series

Network, date/time, firmware and app are all configured on the display itself.

A separate media player connects to a monitor or display via HDMI. There are two devices to set up.

Examples: BrightSign player, Android mini PC/box, Windows PC.

Network, date/time, firmware and app are configured on the media player. The display is a passive output.

2.2 Factory reset (repurposed devices)

If the device has been previously used — whether running another CMS, used in a different deployment, or returned from another site — perform a factory reset before proceeding. This clears any residual configuration, CMS software, or network settings that could interfere with the NowSignage installation.

Navigate to Settings > General > Reset, or equivalent in the device OS.
Select Factory Reset or Reset to Factory Defaults and confirm.
Allow the device to reboot fully before continuing.
If the device is locked by a previous CMS (e.g. auto-lock from Dice or MagicINFO), refer to the relevant CMS removal guide in the NowSignage knowledge base before attempting a reset.

Factory reset is best practice for repurposed devices

Skipping a factory reset on a previously configured device can cause unexpected behaviour during installation.

If the device is brand new and still in original packaging, a factory reset is not required.

2.3 Unbox and mount the display

Remove all packaging and protective films from the screen face and any vents.
Mount or position the display in the required orientation — portrait or landscape. Confirm this before mounting; it is much harder to change afterwards.
Connect power to the display and switch it on.

2.4 Verify the HDMI connection (external media player only)

If you are using an external media player, confirm the HDMI connection is working correctly before proceeding. A poor or incorrect HDMI connection will cause a blank screen or scaling issues that are easy to mistake for a software fault.

The display should show the media player's output (boot screen, home screen, or desktop).
If the screen is blank: check the HDMI cable is fully seated at both ends, confirm the display input source matches the HDMI port used, and try a different HDMI cable if available.

2.5 Set orientation

Physically mounting the screen in portrait does not change the image output — the operating system must also be configured to match.

SoC displays: open the display's settings menu and navigate to the screen orientation or rotation option. Set the rotation to match the physical mounting: 0° for landscape, 90° or 270° for portrait.
External media player: the orientation must be set on the media player's OS, not the screen display. Open the display settings on the media player (e.g. Windows Display Settings, Android Display settings) and set the rotation to match the physical mounting. The display itself does not need an orientation change — it simply outputs whatever the media player sends.

💡Tip: If the image appears flipped or upside down, try the alternative 90°/270° value.

2.6 Verify scaling and output resolution

Content must fill the screen completely. Incorrect scaling — whether caused by the media player's output settings or the display's own picture settings — will result in black bars, a cropped image, or content that does not fill the screen.

On the media player (external players only): check the display or screen resolution settings and confirm the output is set to the native resolution of the connected display (typically 1920x1080 for FHD or 3840x2160 for 4K) and that the scaling is set to 100% / fit to screen. Avoid any overscan or zoom settings.

On the screen display: using the display's remote control, open the display's picture or screen settings menu and confirm the aspect ratio or screen fit setting is set to full screen, just scan, or equivalent – not auto, zoom, or 16:9 stretch. The exact label varies by manufacturer.

If black bars are visible, adjust the aspect ratio setting on the display first, then the output resolution on the media player if required.
If content appears cropped or the edges are cut off, overscan is likely enabled — disable it in the display's picture settings or the media player's display settings.

2.7 Disable power saving and auto-off

This step is essential. Most commercial displays ship with energy-saving features enabled that will automatically turn the screen off after a set period. Left enabled, content will stop displaying.

Locate the power saving, eco solution, or energy saving settings in the device OS.
Set any auto-off or standby timer to Off or Never.
Disable any ambient light sensors or scheduled on/off timers that are not required for your deployment.

3. Network Connection

NowSignage requires a stable internet connection to download the app, register the device, and receive content. Do not proceed without confirming connectivity.

3.1 Connect to the network

The following steps apply whether you are configuring a SoC display or an external media player. All network settings are configured on the device running NowSignage — not on the display if using an external player.

Option A — Ethernet (preferred):

Connect an ethernet cable from the site network switch or router directly to the ethernet port on the display or media player.
The device should detect the connection automatically. Check the network status indicator in the device settings to confirm.
Ethernet is always preferred over Wi-Fi for digital signage — it is more stable and less prone to interference or dropout.

Option B — Wi-Fi:

Open the device settings and navigate to the Wi-Fi or Network settings menu.
Select your network from the list of available SSIDs.
Enter the Wi-Fi password and confirm. Wait for the connection status to show as connected before proceeding.
If the network does not appear in the list, check that the device is within range and that the router is broadcasting on a frequency supported by the device (2.4 GHz is most broadly compatible).

3.2 Verify internet access

The network settings should show a connected status — but always verify actual internet access, not just local network connectivity.
If the device has a built-in browser, navigate to a test URL (e.g. nowsignage.com) to confirm the device can reach the internet.
If the device cannot reach the internet: check the Wi-Fi credentials, check whether the site uses a captive portal or MAC address whitelist, and check whether the network port is active.

⚠️ Firewall / network restrictions

If the site uses a corporate firewall, NowSignage domains must be whitelisted.

Refer to the NowSignage firewall guidance in the knowledge base for the current list of required domains.

4. Date & Time

An incorrect date or time is one of the most common causes of app errors. The NowSignage app will fail to communicate with the server if the device clock is significantly wrong. Check this before installing the app.

Navigate to the date and time settings in the device OS.
If automatic sync is not available, set the date and time manually to the current local time.
Confirm the time shown is correct after saving — even an hour's difference can cause issues with content scheduling.

5. Firmware

Devices frequently arrive on site running firmware that is significantly out of date. Known bugs — including display issues, app crashes, and connectivity faults — are often resolved in newer firmware versions. Always check before installing NowSignage.

5.1 Check the current firmware version

Navigate to Settings > About, System Information, or equivalent in the device OS.
Note the current firmware version number.

5.2 Update if required

Check the manufacturer's support page for the latest available firmware for your specific device model.
Reboot the device after the update completes and confirm the new firmware version is shown in system information.

⚠️ Do not skip the firmware check ⚠️

Installing NowSignage on out-of-date firmware is a known cause of avoidable support issues.

6. Installing the NowSignage App

Once the display is on, connected to the internet, showing the correct date/time, and running up-to-date firmware, follow the device-specific installation guide for your platform.

6.1 Find your device-specific guide

Select your device platform from the table below and follow the linked guide for exact installation steps, screenshots, and PIN entry instructions.

Platform	Common devices	Installation guide
Samsung Tizen	Samsung commercial displays (SSSPv6)	View guide →
Android	SoC displays, Giada DN76, Vestel, Fire Stick, Amazon Signage Stick	View guide →
BrightSign	BrightSign media players (all series)	View guide →
LG webOS	LG commercial displays	View guide →
Philips	B-Line, D-Line, Q-Line, 3550Q, 4550D, 10BDL4151T	View guide →
Sony Bravia	Sony Bravia SoC commercial displays	View guide →
Hisense	Hisense M-Series SoC displays	View guide →
Windows	Windows PCs and mini PCs	View guide →
Mac OS	Apple Mac devices	View guide →
Linux	Linux-based devices	View guide →
Newline	Newline STV+ Series	View guide →

All installation guides are also available at: knowledgebase.nowsignage.com/nowsignage-installation-guides

6.2 What to expect after entering your PIN

The app will contact the NowSignage servers and begin downloading content assigned to that screen.
Each screen requires its own unique PIN.
Allow a few minutes for content to download, particularly on slower connections.

6.3 Post-PIN troubleshooting

If the app does not behave as expected after entering the PIN, use the table below to identify the issue before raising a support ticket.

What you see	What to do
"Unknown error communicating with NowSignage"	1. Confirm the device has an active internet connection (open a browser and test a URL). 2. Check the date and time are correct — an incorrect clock will cause the API request to fail. 3. If on a corporate network, confirm NowSignage domains are not being blocked by a firewall. 4. Confirm the PIN has no extra spaces or characters entered in error.
PIN not accepted / PIN entry screen loops	1. Confirm the PIN has been correctly created and assigned to a screen within the NowSignage CMS. 2. Check for extra spaces before or after the PIN — these are easy to enter accidentally. 3. Confirm you are entering the PIN for the correct screen — PINs are unique per screen and cannot be shared. 4. Check you have installed the correct app version (NowSignage operates with two platforms – Global and ME.
App loads but screen is blank or stays black	1. The PIN has been accepted, but there may be no content scheduled against this screen in the CMS — this requires CMS access to verify. 2. Check that content has been assigned to the correct screen and that the schedule is active. 3. Allow a few minutes — content may still be downloading on a slow connection.
App shows a loading spinner and does not progress	1. The device registered successfully but is struggling to download content — usually a slow or unstable connection. 2. Check network stability and signal strength. 3. Large content files (video) will take longer to download. Wait several minutes before assuming there is a fault.
App crashes to device home screen after PIN entry	1. On Android 10 and above, the "display over other apps" permission must be enabled. Go to Settings > Apps > NowSignage > Display over other apps and enable it. 2. If the issue persists, check the device is running up-to-date firmware (see Section 5). 3. Try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.
Content displaying in the wrong orientation	Orientation is a two-part requirement – both must be correct: 1. Hardware: the device OS rotation must match the physical mounting (see Section 2.5). Restart the NowSignage app after changing the OS rotation. 2. CMS content: content assigned in the CMS must be the correct resolution for the screen orientation. Portrait screens require portrait-format content (e.g. 1080x1920); landscape screens require landscape-format content (e.g. 1920x1080). Mismatched content will appear rotated, stretched, or with black bars. This requires CMS access to verify and correct.
Wrong content showing / wrong screen	This is a CMS configuration issue, not an installation issue. CMS access is required to verify: 1. Confirm the correct PIN has been entered for this specific screen. 2. Check within the NowSignage CMS that the correct content and schedule are assigned to this screen. 3. Confirm the content is the correct resolution for this screen (e.g. 1080x1920 for portrait FHD, 1920x1080 for landscape FHD).

Content and orientation issues require CMS access

If the app is running and the PIN has been accepted, any remaining issues with what is displaying are CMS configuration issues — not hardware or installation issues.

Portrait screens must have portrait-format content assigned in the CMS (e.g. 1080x1920). Landscape screens must have landscape-format content (e.g. 1920x1080). The hardware orientation and the CMS content resolution must match.

If you do not have CMS access, contact your project coordinator to verify and correct the content assignment.

7. Verify & Commission

Before considering the installation complete, complete the autoboot test below and confirm all items on the checklist.

7.1 Test autoboot

NowSignage must launch automatically when the device is powered on — without any manual intervention. This is critical for deployments where screens may be power-cycled overnight or lose power unexpectedly.

With the NowSignage app running and content displaying, fully power off the device (do not just put it to sleep — perform a full power off or pull the power).
Power the device back on and confirm that the NowSignage app launches automatically and content resumes without any manual steps required.

Note on autoboot behaviour by platform

Android 5.1–9.0: NowSignage autoboots by default. No additional permissions required.

Android 10 and above: the “display over other apps” permission must be manually enabled after installation. See the Android installation guide for steps.

Other platforms (Tizen, BrightSign, LG webOS, Windows, etc.): refer to the relevant device-specific guide linked in Section 6.1 for platform-specific autoboot configuration.

7.2 Final checklist

Confirm all of the following before leaving site:

✓	Final installation checklist
☐	Display is powered on and content is showing
☐	HDMI connection confirmed working (external media player setups only)
☐	Screen orientation is correct (portrait / landscape as required for this deployment)
☐	Scaling is correct — content fills the screen with no black bars or cropping
☐	Power saving and auto-off are disabled
☐	Device is connected to the internet and online
☐	Date and time are correct and timezone is set
☐	Firmware is up to date
☐	NowSignage app is installed and the correct PIN has been entered
☐	Content playing matches what is expected for this screen
☐	Autoboot verified — app launches automatically after a full power cycle
☐	All cables are secure and tidy

8. Common Issues

Work through the relevant checks below before raising a support ticket.

Symptom	What to check
Black bars visible around content	Aspect ratio on the display is not set to full screen / just scan. Check display picture settings via the remote. Also check the media player output resolution matches the display's native resolution.
Content cropped or edges cut off	Overscan is enabled on the display or media player. Disable overscan in the display's picture settings and/or the media player's display settings.
Blank screen despite media player powered on	Check HDMI cable is fully seated at both ends. Confirm the display input source matches the HDMI port in use. Try a different cable.
App will not load after URL/APK entry	Check internet connection. Confirm correct URL or APK for your device platform. Verify date/time is correct. Check firmware is up to date.
Screen turns off automatically	Power saving / auto-off is still enabled. Return to display settings and disable all energy-saving and standby options.
Image displaying in wrong orientation	The OS rotation setting has not been changed. See Section 1.2.
'Unknown error communicating with NowSignage'	No internet connection, or date/time is incorrect. Confirm both and retry.
PIN not accepted	Confirm the PIN with your project coordinator. PINs are single-use per screen and cannot be reused.
App installed but no content shown	The PIN may not yet have content scheduled against it. Confirm within the NowSignage platform — this is not an installation issue.
Firmware update failing	If OTA update is failing, use the USB method. Ensure the firmware file is correct for the exact device model.
Device not connecting to Wi-Fi	Check SSID/password. Check for captive portal. Try ethernet. Check if MAC address whitelisting is required on the site network.

Still need help?

Raise a support ticket at: knowledgebase.nowsignage.com

Full installation guide library: knowledgebase.nowsignage.com/nowsignage-installation-guides