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Screen Sync For Windows Devices

This guide explains how to set up a Screen Sync server on Windows and connect multiple screens using NowSignage Screen Sync.

Screen Sync For Windows Devices

This guide explains how to set up Screen Sync on Windows and connect multiple screens using NowSignage Screen Sync.

Note - This guide is for syncing Windows devices. One of your Windows devices acts as the Screen Sync server, so no separate machine is needed.

⚠️ IMPORTANT INFORMATION ⚠️

App Version 5.3.31+ - Single playlist requirement.

📌 This is the best practice method for screen sync. Customers on app version 5.3.31 or above need to follow this approach.

In version 5.3.31+, Screen Sync support has been extended to multizone layouts. The new standard approach uses a single playlist combined with the platform's tagging functionality to deliver the correct content to the correct screens — no separate playlists per screen required.

How it works:

  1. Create a single playlist containing all content required across your synced screens.
  2. Use the Tag Manager to tag relevant content items and screens. This tells the platform which content should display on which screen. See the guide: Tag Manager — Setting Up Targeted Tags
  3. Add the screens to a Sync Group within the Screen Sync app
  4. Reboot all devices to activate the sync.

 

⚠️ IMPORTANT INFORMATION – APP VERSION 5.4.32+ ⚠️

📌 From app version 5.4.32 onwards, the Screen Sync server is built into the NowSignage Windows app. You no longer need to install Node.js, download the Screen Sync script, or keep a Command Prompt window running. The sync server starts automatically when the app launches.

If you previously set up Screen Sync using the Node.js method further down this guide, upgrade all devices in your sync group to 5.4.32 or above and follow the steps in this section. You can then remove the Node.js installation, the Screen Sync server folder (e.g. C:\NowSignage), and the start_screen_sync.bat file from the Startup folder, if you created one.

Note: The new method uses port 8081 (previously 5001). If you are upgrading an existing sync group, update the WebSocket Server Address in the Screen Sync app to use :8081, then reboot all devices in the group.

  • Preparing Your Screen Sync Setup (5.4.32+)

  1. Log in to your NowSignage account and create any required screens, schedules, and playlists.
  2. Navigate to the Apps section and select the Screen Sync app.
  3. Click + Add Sync Group (top-right corner) and give the group a name.
  4. Enter the WebSocket Server Address. This is the IP address of the “master” Windows device in your sync group. To find it, open Command Prompt on that device and run ipconfig, then look for the IPv4 Address (e.g. 192.168.1.95). You can also find this in the device’s network settings. Enter this IP address followed by :8081, which is the required port for Windows Screen Sync.
     For example: 192.168.X.XX:8081
  5. Click Create New to create the sync group.
  6. Select the screens you want to include in the sync group. Add the screen you took the IP address from first, followed by any additional screens.
  7. Once the group is configured, reboot all the associated devices to complete the setup.

Tip: The first screen added to the sync group automatically becomes the Master device. This device sends synchronisation commands to all other connected devices, so choose one with a stable, ideally wired, network connection.

Requirements:

  • All devices must be running app version 5.4.32 or above.
  • All devices must be on the same local network and able to communicate with each other.
  • Port 8081 must be open on the master device.

 

🚧 Alternative Sync Method 🚧 

NowSignage strongly recommends using the Screen Sync method described above on app version 5.4.32. The previous Node.js method outlined below remains supported for devices running app versions earlier than 5.4.32.

 

  • App Versions Pre 5.4.32 – Previous Method (Node.js)

❗The steps below apply only to devices running app versions earlier than 5.4.32.

We recommend upgrading to 5.4.32 or above and using the method at the top of this guide instead.

Setting Up the Screen Sync Server


Step 1 — Install Node.js

  1. Download the latest version of Node.js: nodejs.org
  2. Run the installer using default settings.
  3. Verify the install by opening Command Prompt and running: 
    node -v A version number confirms Node.js installed correctly.

 

Step 2 — Download the Screen Sync Script

  1. Download the script: screen_sync.js
  2. Save the file as screen_sync.js.

 

Step 3 — Create a Server Folder

  1. Create a folder to run the sync server from, e.g.: 
    C:\NowSignage
  2. Copy screen_sync.js into this folder.

 

Step 4 — Start the Screen Sync Server

  1. Open Command Prompt.
  2. Navigate to your folder: 
    cd C:\NowSignage
  3. Initialise Node: 
    npm init -y
  4. Install the WebSocket dependency: 
    npm install ws
  5. Start the sync server: 
    node screen_sync.js

Leave this Command Prompt window open — this device is now acting as the Screen Sync Server.

 

Step 5 — Find the Server's IP Address

  1. Open a second Command Prompt window (leave the first one running).
  2. Run: 
    ipconfig
  3. Look for IPv4 Address, e.g. 192.168.1.95.

This is your Screen Sync server IP. (You can also find this in the device's network settings.)

 

Step 6 — Configure Screen Sync in NowSignage CMS

  1. Open the NowSignage CMS.
  2. Go to Screen Sync.
  3. In WebSocket Server Address, enter: 
    <Server-IP>:5001 Example: 192.168.1.95:5001
  4. Click Update.

 

Step 7 — Add Screens to a Sync Group

  1. Open your Screen Sync Group.
  2. Add the Master screen first, then add the remaining screens (use search or the navigation arrows, and click the + icon next to each screen).
  3. Click Update.

 

Step 8 — Reboot the Screens

  1. Reboot all screens in the sync group.
  2. Wait 1–3 minutes.
  3. Screens will connect and synchronise automatically.

⚠️ Important Notes ⚠️

  • The device running the server must remain powered on at all times.
  • Do not close the Command Prompt window running the server.
  • All screens and the server device must be on the same network.
  • Port 5001 must be open on the server.

 

Optional: Auto-Start the Server After a Reboot

If the server device is rebooted (or has a daily reboot policy), use this method so the sync server restarts automatically instead of needing to be started manually each time.

  1. Open Notepad and paste the following: 
    @echo offcd C:\NowSignage\node screen_sync.js
  2. Save the file as start_screen_sync.bat inside C:\NowSignage\.
  3. Press Win + R, type shell:startup, and press Enter.
  4. Copy start_screen_sync.bat into the Startup folder that opens.

The server will now launch automatically each time the device starts.

Note — The device must be set to log in automatically (no login prompt required). If a login is required, the script won't run until someone manually logs in.

 

Further Reading: