Moonlight Mod Guide: Get Started Today

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Moonlight Mod Guide: Get Started Today

Moonlight is an open-source implementation of NVIDIA’s GameStream protocol, allowing you to stream games, applications, and even your entire desktop from a GeForce-equipped PC to a wide range of devices, including PCs, Macs, Android phones and tablets, iPhones, iPads, Chromebooks, and even some smart TVs. Think of it as having your powerful gaming PC accessible anywhere you have a decent internet connection. This guide will walk you through getting started with Moonlight, covering setup on both the host (your gaming PC) and the client (the device you’ll be streaming to).

1. Host PC Setup (GeForce Experience):

This is the most crucial part. Moonlight leverages NVIDIA GameStream, which is a feature of GeForce Experience (GFE). Therefore, you must have a compatible NVIDIA GeForce GPU (generally, GTX 600 series or newer, with some laptop GPU exceptions. Check NVIDIA’s GameStream requirements for specifics.) and GeForce Experience installed.

  • Install or Update GeForce Experience: If you don’t already have it, download GeForce Experience from the NVIDIA website (nvidia.com/geforce/geforce-experience/). Install it and make sure it’s up-to-date. Outdated versions can cause connection issues.

  • Enable GameStream:

    • Open GeForce Experience.
    • Click on the Settings cogwheel icon (usually in the top right corner).
    • Select the “SHIELD” tab on the left-hand side.
    • Toggle the “GameStream” switch to the “ON” position. It should turn green. If you can’t enable it, check your GPU compatibility and driver version.

  • Optional – Add Custom Games/Apps:

    • The SHIELD section will automatically list games detected by GeForce Experience.
    • To stream applications not automatically detected (like desktop applications, emulators, or games from other launchers), click the “Add” button in the SHIELD tab.
    • Browse to the .exe file of the application you want to stream and add it. You can customize the name and artwork displayed in Moonlight. Adding mstsc.exe (Remote Desktop) is a common way to stream your entire desktop.

  • Firewall Configuration (Important!):

    • Ensure your firewall (Windows Firewall or a third-party firewall) isn’t blocking the necessary ports for GameStream. Moonlight typically uses the following ports:
      • TCP: 47984, 47989, 48010
      • UDP: 47998, 47999, 48000, 48002, 48010
    • You may need to manually create firewall rules to allow inbound and outbound traffic on these ports. The exact steps vary depending on your firewall software. Consult your firewall’s documentation for instructions. This is a common stumbling block, so don’t skip it.

  • Note down your PC’s IP Address:

    • You can do it by opening command prompt in windows by entering cmd in windows search.
    • Type ipconfig and press Enter.
    • Find the IPv4 Address for your active network adapter (usually Ethernet or Wi-Fi). This is the IP address you’ll likely need to connect manually if automatic discovery fails.

2. Client Device Setup (Moonlight):

  • Download and Install Moonlight: Download the appropriate Moonlight client for your device from the official Moonlight website (https://moonlight-stream.org/) or your device’s app store. There are clients for:

    • Windows
    • macOS
    • Linux
    • Android (Google Play Store)
    • iOS/iPadOS (App Store)
    • ChromeOS (Chrome Web Store)
    • tvOS (Apple TV App Store – limited functionality)
    • Raspberry Pi (requires manual installation)

  • Launch Moonlight and Connect:

    • Open the Moonlight client.
    • Automatic Discovery: Moonlight will usually attempt to automatically discover your host PC on your local network. If it finds it, your PC’s name should appear in the client. Click on it.
    • Manual Connection (if automatic discovery fails): If your PC isn’t found automatically, click the “Add PC” button (often a “+” icon). Enter the IPv4 address you noted down earlier.

  • Pairing: The first time you connect, you’ll be prompted to enter a PIN code on the client. This PIN code will be displayed on your host PC’s screen (look for a GeForce Experience notification). Enter the PIN in the Moonlight client to pair the devices. This is a one-time process for each client device.

  • Configure Settings (Optional but Recommended): Moonlight offers a wealth of settings to customize your streaming experience. These are crucial for optimal performance:

    • Resolution: Match this to your client device’s display resolution, or lower it if you experience lag.
    • Bitrate: This determines the video quality. Higher bitrates mean better quality but require a faster network connection. Start with the default and adjust as needed. A wired connection on both the host and client is highly recommended for higher bitrates.
    • FPS (Frames Per Second): Choose 30 or 60 FPS. 60 FPS provides smoother gameplay but demands more bandwidth.
    • Renderer: Experiment with different renderers (e.g., Hardware, Software) if you encounter performance issues.
    • Controller Settings: Configure your controller input. Moonlight supports various controllers, including Xbox, PlayStation, and generic gamepads. You can often customize button mappings.
    • HEVC (H.265): If both your host and client support it, enabling HEVC can significantly improve video quality at lower bitrates.

3. Troubleshooting:

  • No Host PC Found:

    • Double-check that GameStream is enabled in GeForce Experience.
    • Verify your firewall settings (ports are crucial).
    • Ensure your host PC and client device are on the same network (same subnet).
    • Try a manual connection using the host PC’s IP address.
    • Restart both your Host PC and Client PC.
    • Restart your router.

  • Connection Issues/Lag:

    • Lower the resolution and bitrate in Moonlight’s settings.
    • Use a wired Ethernet connection for both the host and client, if possible. Wi-Fi, especially 2.4GHz, can be unreliable for streaming.
    • Close any unnecessary applications on both the host and client.
    • Ensure your network isn’t congested (e.g., other devices heavily using bandwidth).
    • Check for driver updates for both your GPU and network adapters.

  • Black Screen/No Video:

    • Try a different renderer in Moonlight’s settings.
    • Ensure your GPU drivers are up-to-date.
    • Restart both the host PC and the client device.

  • Audio Issues:

    • Check the audio settings in Moonlight and on your host PC.
    • Ensure the correct audio output device is selected.

  • Controller not working:

    • Make sure the controller is connected properly and recognised by the client device.
    • Check Moonlight controller settings and remap if required.

4. Advanced Tips:

  • Wake-on-LAN (WoL): Moonlight can often wake your host PC from sleep using WoL. You may need to enable WoL in your PC’s BIOS settings and network adapter settings.
  • Streaming over the Internet: While Moonlight is primarily designed for local network streaming, it’s possible to stream over the internet. This requires significantly more configuration, including:
    • Port Forwarding: You’ll need to forward the necessary ports (listed above) on your router to your host PC’s IP address.
    • Dynamic DNS (optional but recommended): If your public IP address changes frequently, a dynamic DNS service (like No-IP or DynDNS) will provide a consistent hostname to connect to.
    • A fast and stable internet connection with low latency on both ends is essential for a good experience. Expect significantly more lag than local streaming.
  • Using a VPN: Using Moonlight in conjunction with a VPN requires careful configuration. You’ll need to ensure the VPN allows for local network traffic, or set up split tunneling.
  • Multiple Monitors: If you have multiple monitors on your host PC, you can select which monitor to stream in Moonlight’s settings.

Conclusion:

Moonlight is a powerful and versatile tool for accessing your gaming PC from almost anywhere. By following this guide, you should be able to get started and enjoy a smooth, low-latency streaming experience. Remember to experiment with the settings to find the optimal configuration for your network and devices. Don’t be afraid to troubleshoot; often, the solution is a simple setting adjustment. Enjoy the freedom of gaming (and more) on your terms!

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