# Empty dashboard window

**URL:** <https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478>\
**Category:** Dashboard\
**Created:** [11 January 2024 13:14 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478 "2024-01-11T13:14:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![luemar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3e96dc/32.png) [@luemar](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/luemar)\
**Post date:** [11 January 2024 13:14 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478/1 "2024-01-11T13:14:49Z")

</div>

I just started with Node-RED and loaded node-red-dashboard be palette manage.  
If I open the dashboard by [http://IP-address:1880/ui](http://IP-address:1880/ui) I'm only getting a window with nothing  
on it except the dashboard logo and wellcome. No icons, bars etc. whatsoever...

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![zenofmud](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/zenofmud/32/316_2.png) [@zenofmud](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/zenofmud)\
**Post date:** [11 January 2024 13:56 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478/2 "2024-01-11T13:56:09Z")

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Have you added any `ui` nodes to a flow?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [11 January 2024 13:57 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478/3 "2024-01-11T13:57:59Z")

</div>

If you have added some widgets then open the Developer Console in the browser and see if it shows any errors when you refresh the screen.  
What browser and version are you using?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![luemar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3e96dc/32.png) [@luemar](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/luemar)\
**Post date:** [11 January 2024 14:22 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478/4 "2024-01-11T14:22:39Z")

</div>

Thanks for quick reply.  
I'm unable to draw any widgets because there is nothing on the dashboard window to draw from.  
I'm using the newest version of Firefox browser.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [11 January 2024 14:23 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478/5 "2024-01-11T14:23:49Z")

</div>

You don't add the widgets in the dashboard view, you add them in the normal editor view, where you build the rest of the flow.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![luemar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3e96dc/32.png) [@luemar](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/luemar)\
**Post date:** [11 January 2024 15:03 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478/6 "2024-01-11T15:03:22Z")

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thanks again. All dashboard nodes are listed in the normal editor view.  
But I'm following a tutorial showing this window:

 ![node-RED dashboard](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/nodered/original/3X/d/b/db24bee60ac2646684cd726cd2cf0145b297ea33.jpeg)

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![zenofmud](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/zenofmud/32/316_2.png) [@zenofmud](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/zenofmud)\
**Post date:** [11 January 2024 15:18 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478/7 "2024-01-11T15:18:30Z")

</div>

Go to the editor `http://your_RPI_IP_address:1880` then in the LEFT sidebar scroll to the bottom where you will find the ui nodes. add one to your flow and do a deploy. Then open the dashboard and see if it shows up.

Or you could import this flow:

```auto
[{"id":"1cdfd83af2d9da49","type":"inject","z":"1ca45eabffa21dfd","name":"","props":[{"p":"payload"},{"p":"topic","vt":"str"}],"repeat":"","crontab":"","once":true,"onceDelay":0.1,"topic":"","payload":"Hello World","payloadType":"str","x":230,"y":540,"wires":[["c8315e5c1d48feb3"]]},{"id":"c8315e5c1d48feb3","type":"ui_text","z":"1ca45eabffa21dfd","group":"fce60e45af73a149","order":0,"width":0,"height":0,"name":"","label":"text","format":"{{msg.payload}}","layout":"row-spread","className":"","style":false,"font":"","fontSize":16,"color":"#000000","x":430,"y":540,"wires":[]},{"id":"fce60e45af73a149","type":"ui_group","name":"Default","tab":"031b621cdb91dec1","order":1,"disp":true,"width":"6","collapse":false,"className":""},{"id":"031b621cdb91dec1","type":"ui_tab","name":"Home","icon":"dashboard","disabled":false,"hidden":false}]

```

and deploy and check the dashboard

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jbudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5f8ce5/32.png) [@jbudd](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/jbudd)\
**Post date:** [11 January 2024 15:26 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478/8 "2024-01-11T15:26:10Z")

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> [@luemar](#):
>
> But I'm following a tutorial showing this window

Is this tutorial online? Can you show us the URL?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![GogoVega](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/gogovega/32/71313_2.png) [@GogoVega](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/GogoVega)\
**Post date:** [11 January 2024 15:37 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478/9 "2024-01-11T15:37:59Z")

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It's Random Nerd Tutorials

> **[Getting Started with Node-RED Dashboard | Random Nerd Tutorials](https://randomnerdtutorials.com/getting-started-node-red-dashboard/)**
>
> This post is an introduction to Node-RED dashboard with Raspberry Pi. We’ll cover how to install Node-RED dashboard and exemplify how to build a GUI.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![jbudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5f8ce5/32.png) [@jbudd](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/jbudd)\
**Post date:** [11 January 2024 15:45 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478/10 "2024-01-11T15:45:06Z")

</div>

There are a lot of YouTube video tutorials on Node-red dashboard which might be easier to follow if you are not doing well with an English text based one.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [11 January 2024 16:12 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478/11 "2024-01-11T16:12:16Z")

</div>

The order of doing things in that tutorial is a bit odd. Did you manage to import the flow that @zenofmud posted. If you don't know how to do that (or even if you do know how to do it) then I recommend watching this playlist: [Node-RED Essentials](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyNBB9VCLmo1hyO-4fIZ08gqFcXBkHy-6). The videos are done by the developers of node-red. They're nice & short and to the point. You will understand a whole lot more in about 1 hour. A small investment for a lot of gain.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![luemar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3e96dc/32.png) [@luemar](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/luemar)\
**Post date:** [11 January 2024 19:27 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478/12 "2024-01-11T19:27:37Z")

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..well, thanks again for your comments:

I'm following an e-book by Random Nerd Tutorial "SMART HOME with Raspberry Pi, ESP32, and ESP8266 eBook" so I can't send any links.  
And @GogoVega:That's exactly the tutorial I'm following.

Although my native language is German I'm very used to English und I'd rather downloaded the english  
version than the german for my Node-RED projects.

Colin's advise to add an UI node (gauge) to the normal editor view didn't work, in the dasdboard window/view I still get "Please add some UI nodes to your flow and redeploy".  
Same after import of zenofmud's flow.

Import of @flowfuse/node-red-dashboard was unsuccessfull, got an error..

Next I will try Node-RED Essentials as recommended by Colin.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [11 January 2024 21:51 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478/13 "2024-01-11T21:51:52Z")

</div>

Please run, in a command window  
`node-red-stop`  
`node-red-start`  
and copy/paste the output here. Copy/paste not screenshot please.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![luemar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3e96dc/32.png) [@luemar](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/luemar)\
**Post date:** [12 January 2024 10:20 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478/14 "2024-01-12T10:20:26Z")

</div>

```auto
pi@raspberrypiZeroX:~ $ node-red-stop
Stop Node-RED

Use node-red-start to start Node-RED again

pi@raspberrypiZeroX:~ $ node-red-start

Start Node-RED

Once Node-RED has started, point a browser at http://192.168.1.102:1880
On Pi Node-RED works better with the Firefox or Chrome browser

Use node-red-stop to stop Node-RED
Use node-red-start to start Node-RED again
Use node-red-log to view the recent log output
Use sudo systemctl enable nodered.service to autostart Node-RED at every boot
Use sudo systemctl disable nodered.service to disable autostart on boot

To find more nodes and example flows - go to http://flows.nodered.org

Starting as a systemd service.
12 Jan 11:13:45 - [info]
Welcome to Node-RED
===================
12 Jan 11:13:45 - [info] Node-RED version: v3.1.3
12 Jan 11:13:45 - [info] Node.js version: v18.19.0
12 Jan 11:13:45 - [info] Linux 6.1.21-v8+ arm64 LE
12 Jan 11:13:47 - [info] Loading palette nodes
12 Jan 11:13:50 - [info] Dashboard version 3.6.2 started at /ui
12 Jan 11:13:52 - [info] Settings file : /home/pi/.node-red/settings.js
12 Jan 11:13:52 - [info] Context store : 'default' [module=memory]
12 Jan 11:13:52 - [info] User directory : /home/pi/.node-red
12 Jan 11:13:52 - [warn] Projects disabled : editorTheme.projects.enabled=false
12 Jan 11:13:52 - [info] Flows file : /home/pi/.node-red/flows.json
12 Jan 11:13:52 - [warn] Encrypted credentials not found
12 Jan 11:13:52 - [info] Server now running at http://127.0.0.1:1880/
12 Jan 11:13:52 - [info] Starting flows
12 Jan 11:13:52 - [info] Started flows

```

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![luemar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3e96dc/32.png) [@luemar](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/luemar)\
**Post date:** [12 January 2024 10:22 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478/15 "2024-01-12T10:22:52Z")

</div>

sorry for the layout, but this was the only way to get it through. Got first: New users are allowed onlx 2 links  
in a post..

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![GogoVega](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/gogovega/32/71313_2.png) [@GogoVega](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/GogoVega)\
**Post date:** [12 January 2024 10:27 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478/16 "2024-01-12T10:27:50Z")

</div>

When you search for `http://127.0.0.1:1880/ui` does the search change and became `http://127.0.0.1:1880/ui/#!/0?socketid=something` ?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![luemar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3e96dc/32.png) [@luemar](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/luemar)\
**Post date:** [12 January 2024 10:42 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478/17 "2024-01-12T10:42:51Z")

</div>

no, no change.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![luemar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3e96dc/32.png) [@luemar](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/luemar)\
**Post date:** [12 January 2024 10:48 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478/18 "2024-01-12T10:48:29Z")

</div>

and there is another issue:  
I'm unable to delete a Flow (3) on the regular Node-RED interface. In all attempts the  
delete button is inactive.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![GogoVega](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/gogovega/32/71313_2.png) [@GogoVega](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/GogoVega)\
**Post date:** [12 January 2024 10:52 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478/19 "2024-01-12T10:52:26Z")

</div>

You know you can't delete the flow if it's the only one

The runtime log shows no errors and what does the browser console say (for editor and dashboard) ?

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Colin](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/discourse.nodered.org/colin/32/17040_2.png) [@Colin](https://discourse.nodered.org/u/Colin)\
**Post date:** [12 January 2024 11:03 UTC](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478/20 "2024-01-12T11:03:32Z")

</div>

> [@luemar](#):
>
> sorry for the layout, but this was the only way to get it through

That is the recommended way to post logs.

From the /ui page, open the Developer Tools Console in your browser and refresh the page. Do you see any errors in the console?

What browser are you using? Can you try another browser?

[Next page](https://discourse.nodered.org/t/empty-dashboard-window/84478.md?page=2)