(Linux) Chrome Remote Desktop Troubleshooting

KMyers

This thread is regarding troubleshooting of the Chrome Remote Desktop

Source - https://kmyers.me/blog/linux/chrome-remote-desktop-on-ubuntu-20-04-setup-guide-setup-script/

Post questions below and I will be more than happy to help out

MachoBenihana

Hey there! I'm unable to get this tutorial to work, same as the other user in the other thread.

It shows me “Set up another device for remote access” screen with the 4 steps.

KMyers

MachoBenihana - Can I get the following
1) What desktop enviroment are you usiung (Gnome/KDE/MATE/Etc)
2) What display manager are you using (run echo $DESKTOP_SESSION )

Hopefully we can get to the bottom of this

vitorma

KMyers

KMyers the echo $DESKTOP_SESSION gives me a blank line

lunathong

hi KMyers. I had success create the remote access using your scripts, however it is not persistent. every reboot the ubuntu, it is require to create a new remote access. Is there anyway to make the remote access persistent?

vitorma

Same not persistent problem... I'm using Ubuntu 20.04 LTS fresh instalation, all default.

In my case the CRD runs on different workspace... I can't see locally what is going on the remote session

KMyers

Are you using a stock Ubuntu or something like Kubuntu/Mint/etc?

vitorma

KMyers stock ubuntu

KMyers

vitorma can you run the following command and paste the output

/opt/google/chrome-remote-desktop/chrome-remote-desktop --start

vitorma

vitorma@vitorma-POS-PA880GBZ:~$ /opt/google/chrome-remote-desktop/chrome-remote-desktop --start
[0917/114428.950611:INFO:remoting_user_session.cc(738)] Daemon process started in the background, logging to '/tmp/chrome_remote_desktop_20200917_114428_UGwNLF'
WARNING: This system uses GDM. Some GDM versions have a bug that prevents local login while Chrome Remote Desktop is running. If you run into this issue, you can stop Chrome Remote Desktop by visiting https://remotedesktop.google.com/access on another machine and clicking the delete icon next to this machine. It may take up to five minutes for the Chrome Remote Desktop to exit on this machine and for local login to start working again.
Using host_id: --------MY ID---------
Launching X server and X session.
Starting Xvfb on display :20
X server is active.
Launching X session: ['/bin/sh', '/home/vitorma/.chrome-remote-desktop-session']
Launching host process
['/opt/google/chrome-remote-desktop/chrome-remote-desktop-host', '--host-config=-', '--audio-pipe-name=/home/vitorma/.config/chrome-remote-desktop/pulseaudio#db5d455b3c/fifo_output', '--server-supports-exact-resize', '--ssh-auth-sockname=/tmp/chromoting.vitorma.ssh_auth_sock', '--signal-parent']
Host ready to receive connections.
Log file: /tmp/chrome_remote_desktop_20200917_114428_UGwNLF

My pc gets online after that. Maybe I have to config to run this command at startup

KMyers

vitorma Try running the following and rebooting (Just paste all lines as one large block)

cat <<EOF > ~/.config/autostart/chrome-remote-desktop.desktop
[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Exec=/opt/google/chrome-remote-desktop/chrome-remote-desktop --start
Hidden=false
NoDisplay=false
X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=true
Name[en_US]=Chrome Remote Desktop
Name=Chrome Remote Desktop
Comment[en_US]=Autostart Chrome Remote Desktop After Login to prevent service from preventing login
Comment=Autostart Chrome Remote Desktop After Login to prevent service from preventing login
EOF

Or manually add a startup entry via whatever method you choose

vitorma

KMyers works great! Thanks for your help!

KMyers

vitorma anytime

lunathong

work with my side too. Thanks

dbates

hi I have installed chrome remote desktop and it is running, but in the chrme browser it doesn't see that it is installed and running. It keeps showing this:

Set up remote access
Chrome Remote Desktop is being installed on your computer. Please wait for the installer to open and then follow its instructions.
Hmm...this is taking a while. Check to see if the installer is waiting for you to respond. You can try waiting a little longer, or restart the installer from the status bar or Downloads folder.

KMyers

dbates

Can you run this at a terminal and tell me the output?

/opt/google/chrome-remote-desktop/chrome-remote-desktop --start

damdamdi

I created login to this site, just to say THANKS. Your directions solved the problem with Chrome remote desktop, which was been pretty frustrating.

Works like a charm. Well at least for now 😀 . Will hit up if it starts to create problems.

KMyers

damdamdi

Great to hear and welcome to the site

simplekitten

Hello, i've just installed a stock Ubuntu 20.04 and followed the instruction on the chrome remote desktop page but after installation i got stuck in the page
Hmm...this is taking a while. Check to see if the installer is waiting for you to respond. You can try waiting a little longer, or restart the installer from the status bar or Downloads folder.
i tried /opt/google/chrome-remote-desktop/chrome-remote-desktop --start and gotten something about unable to start as no group for chrome-remote-desktop.
i then proceed with sudo usermod -a -G chrome-remote-desktop $USER and now when i try to run the command i'm getting this

/opt/google/chrome-remote-desktop/chrome-remote-desktop --start [0929/013524.479593:INFO:remoting_user_session.cc(738)] Daemon process started in the background, logging to '/tmp/chrome_remote_desktop_20200929_013524_9MUTne' WARNING: This system uses GDM. Some GDM versions have a bug that prevents local login while Chrome Remote Desktop is running. If you run into this issue, you can stop Chrome Remote Desktop by visiting https://remotedesktop.google.com/access on another machine and clicking the delete icon next to this machine. It may take up to five minutes for the Chrome Remote Desktop to exit on this machine and for local login to start working again. Cleanup. Log file: /tmp/chrome_remote_desktop_20200929_013524_9MUTne
any help would be must appreciated. Thank you!

KMyers

simplekitten - Just a simple question, have you rebooted your machine after adding your name to the group?