Ubuntu Headless Remote Control / Todesk Remote Desktop Black Screen / Linux Virtual Display Solution

1️⃣ Version Info

• Ubuntu 24/22/20/18
• Todesk/AnyView
• xserver-xorg-video-dummy

2️⃣ Install & Configure a Virtual Display

1. Install the dummy video driver: sudo apt install xserver-xorg-video-dummy
2. Edit /etc/gdm3/custom.conf to disable Wayland and force X11 (so that Todesk, etc., which may not support Wayland, can work): WaylandEnable=false
3. Under the directory /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/, create a new display configuration file named 99-dummy.conf

# 99-dummy.conf
Section "Device"
    Identifier  "Configured Video Device"
    Driver      "dummy"
    VideoRam 256000
EndSection

Section "Monitor"
    Identifier  "Configured Monitor"
    HorizSync 10.0-300
    VertRefresh 10.0-200
EndSection

Section "Screen"
    Identifier  "Default Screen"
    Monitor     "Configured Monitor"
    Device      "Configured Video Device"
    DefaultDepth 24
    SubSection "Display"
    Depth 24
    Modes "1920x1080"
    EndSubSection
EndSection

3️⃣ After Reboot, Verify

Run:

xrandr

You should see a display output such as “1920×1080 (dummy)” or similar.

Explanation & Notes

• By installing and configuring the dummy video driver, even when there is no physical monitor connected, the system still behaves as if a display is present. This avoids remote desktop black screen issues when using tools like Todesk.
• Since Todesk does not support Wayland in Ubuntu, you must ensure the system uses an X11 session (disable Wayland).
• After reboot, xrandr it should show the dummy monitor.
• If you later plug in an actual monitor and don’t want to use the virtual dummy display, you can remove or disable the configuration and reboot.
• This approach is widely used to solve the issue where disconnecting a physical display (or running a headless server) leads to no graphical output or remote control black screen.