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This guide shows you how to set up a Raspberry Pi 4 or Raspberry Pi 5 for the first time, with a screen, keyboard and mouse. It covers what parts you need, how to install Raspberry Pi OS onto a microSD card, how to connect everything correctly, and what to expect on first boot.
The Raspberry Pi 4 and Raspberry Pi 5 setup process is almost identical, which is good news for beginners.
If you bought one of our starter kits, you should already have the essentials, and they’ll be compatible with your board. If you bought parts separately, take a moment to check your kit properly before you power anything on.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have Raspberry Pi OS up and running and ready to connect to Wi‑Fi or Ethernet, run updates, and start using your Raspberry Pi for coding, learning, projects, or as a small desktop computer!
Parts check
Use the checklist below if you bought parts separately. If you bought one of our kits, use the table below to confirm you’ve unpacked everything.
| Power supply (USB‑C) | Use an official supply. Underpowered 'chargers' cause random reboots and corrupted SD cards. |
| microSD card | 32GB+ is a good default for Raspberry Pi OS. Choose a fast, high-quality card such as the Raspberry Pi A2 Class Micro SD Card. |
| Keyboard & mouse | Any USB keyboard/mouse will work. Most wireless keyboards with a USB receiver will work too. |
| Monitor cable | Raspberry Pi 4 and 5 use micro‑HDMI (smaller than normal HDMI). |
| Monitor | An HDMI monitor or TV ideally. See below for older connections. |
| A computer | You’ll use Windows, macOS, or Linux to install Raspberry Pi OS onto the microSD card using Raspberry Pi Imager. |
| microSD card reader (if needed) | Many laptops don’t accept microSD cards directly. If your computer only has full-size SD, you’ll need an adapter or a USB reader. |
| Case | Protects the board and helps keep things tidy. Some cases include cooling. |
| Cooling | Using a heatsink or fan (or both) helps the Pi stay cool under load and avoids performance throttling. |
What if my monitor doesn’t have HDMI?
Re-using an old monitor from the loft for your Raspberry Pi is a great way to save money and reduce e-waste. Most older monitors will have either VGA or DVI connections, which we have some options for:
| If your monitor has… | You will need… |
|---|---|
| DVI‑D | micro‑HDMI to DVI‑D cable |
| VGA | micro‑HDMI to VGA cable |
Install Raspberry Pi OS
If your microSD card already came with Raspberry Pi OS pre-installed (our kits do), you can skip this section and go to the hardware setup.
Important: Writing an OS will erase everything on the microSD card.
- Download and install Raspberry Pi Imager on your computer.
- Insert the microSD card into your computer (use a USB card reader if needed).
- Open Imager and select your Device, then choose Raspberry Pi OS (64‑bit) as a good default.
- Select the microSD card under Storage, then click Next.
- If prompted for OS customisation, set your basics (recommended): username/password, Wi-Fi, time zone, keyboard layout.
- Write the card and wait for the 'write + verify' process to finish.
- Eject the card safely
Connect the hardware
Now to put everything together. Always assemble with the power supply unplugged, then connect power at the end:
- Insert the microSD card into the Raspberry Pi. It only goes in one way; don’t force it!
- Plug in the USB keyboard and mouse. Use any USB ports; if you’re using a wireless dongle, plug the dongle in now.
- Connect the screen to HDMI0 on the Pi. HDMI0 is the micro‑HDMI port nearest the USB‑C power connector.
- (Optional) Plug in Ethernet for internet. Wi‑Fi is built in on both Pi 4 and Pi 5, so Ethernet is optional.
- Turn your screen on, then plug the USB‑C power supply into the Pi. The Pi should power up and start booting.
First boot
The first boot can take a good few minutes, especially on a fresh copy of Raspberry Pi OS. Grab a coffee and stare into space whilst it runs.
If you used OS customisation in Raspberry Pi Imager, you may go straight to the desktop (or be asked just a couple of quick setup questions). If you didn’t set those options, Raspberry Pi OS will guide you through the basics (country/time zone, user account, Wi-Fi, and updates).
Update your Operating System
You should run regular updates on your Raspberry Pi to ensure the system remains secure and has the latest hardware drivers.
To apply these updates, you can simply follow the automated prompt if it appears on your desktop, or open a Terminal window and run sudo apt update followed by sudo apt full-upgrade.
Troubleshooting
Here are a few of the most common issues for new users, and how to fix them. Please also see the links further down the page for more troubleshooting tips.
| Problem | Likely cause | Try this |
|---|---|---|
| No picture | Wrong input or wrong HDMI port/cable | Check the TV/monitor is on the correct input. Make sure you’re using HDMI0 (nearest the USB‑C power port) and the cable is fully seated. |
|
Random reboots Low-voltage warnings USB devices disconnect |
Underpowered or poor-quality power supply | Switch to an official power supply. Pi 5 is best with the official 27W supply, especially if you use USB accessories. |
|
Won’t boot Rainbow screen Restarting |
Bad OS write or unreliable microSD card | Re-write Raspberry Pi OS using Raspberry Pi Imager and verify the write. If possible, test with a different (known good) microSD card. |