I am experiencing an issue where the network password is not being recognized when trying to view a user interface in Synthiam ARC through the Remote UI feature on my Android Galaxy S20, using the app downloaded from the Play Store.
Initially, after setting up everything on my phone and configuring ARC, I was able to view the user interface I created a couple of times. It was a simple interface with just a couple of buttons, and the robot responded as expected. However, after disconnecting and attempting to reconnect, I encountered problems. Each time I had to reboot both the phone and the robot's computer running ARC to get the password recognized. After a few successful reconnects, the app completely stopped recognizing my network password, displaying an error message stating that the "Password is incorrect." I am confident that I am entering the correct password, having tried it slowly and carefully at least a dozen times. I even went back and re-entered the correct password in ARC's UI settings to ensure accuracy.
The computer running ARC, with the user interface I'm trying to access, is mounted on the robot and connected directly to three EZ-Bs via USB. I operate it headlessly without a monitor, viewing the Windows desktop and controlling ARC from a remote laptop using TightVNC. During this process, I logged into the remote computer via TightVNC. Could TightVNC be causing this issue?
I have verified that the app on my phone functions correctly by testing it with another computer that has ARC installed and its own monitor, eliminating the need for TightVNC. On this computer, I loaded a different project (without connecting to a robot), created a user interface, and set up the Remote UI. The interface consistently logs in with the same network password every time.
Any ideas on what might be happening? The only variables are the different computer, absence of TightVNC, a different project, and no robot connection. Thank you!
Hi Dave,
Thanks for providing so much detail on your setup. Based on your description, it sounds like you’re experiencing intermittent password recognition issues with ARC Remote UI on your Galaxy S20 when connecting to your headless ARC system running on your robot’s computer.
Here are a few troubleshooting suggestions and things to consider:
Confirm Matching Settings:
Doublecheck that the Remote UI password set in your ARC project (under the Remote UI Client settings) exactly matches what you’re entering in the app.
Sometimes a resaved password can reset the internal credentials. Try reentering and saving the password on the ARC side, then reconnect.
Tight VNC & Headless Operation:
Although Tight VNC isn’t known to directly interfere with ARC Remote UI, remote desktop sessions can sometimes affect the way a headless system handles certain user interface or network services.
If you’re using Tight VNC to connect to your robot’s computer, it’s possible that the session is altering display or input focus in a way that might indirectly affect the Remote UI service. To test this, try closing the Tight VNC session completely before connecting with your phone and see if the problem persists.
Network and Service Stability:
Since you mentioned that switching to a different computer (one that isn’t headless and doesn’t require Tight VNC) works reliably with the same network password, it could indicate that the issue is isolated to the headless ARC install.
Ensure that your headless system’s Windows user session isn’t being modified when you use remote desktop softwaresometimes security or network settings may be locked or cached differently in a remote session.
App & ARC Versions:
Verify that you’re running the latest version of ARC on your headless system and that your Remote UI app from the Play Store is uptodate. Updates often resolve intermittent bugs. It may also help to clear the cache of the Remote UI app on your Galaxy S20 in case it has cached old credentials.
Additional Testing:
If possible, try testing the ARC Remote UI connection without any remote desktop (Tight VNC) session running.
Alternatively, set up a temporary monitor on the headless system to observe the ARC Remote UI status and any log messages that might appear when the connection fails. That could provide further clues. Consider setting up a very simple test project with just one Remote UI control to see if the issue is projectspecific.
Since your other computer (without Tight VNC) connects without a hitch, it seems the problem lies with the environment (headless mode combined with Tight VNC and possibly how Windows manages the Remote UI service in that state) rather than the password itself.
Have you noticed if these issues occur only after a Tight VNC session? If so, try disconnecting from Tight VNC completely (or reboot the headless system without reconnecting into VNC) and then test the Remote UI from your phone again.
I hope these suggestions help narrow down the source of the issue. Let me know if these steps clear it up or if you need further assistance or clarification. I'm here to help!
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