How to Set Up FPP for Your First xLights Show

FPP (Falcon Player) runs the sequences you create in xLights. It can run on a separate Raspberry Pi or on a compatible pixel controller with FPP built in. This guide takes you from the hardware setup to a playlist running on your lights.

1. Choose your FPP hardware

If your pixel controller already runs FPP, use its built-in player. You do not need a separate Raspberry Pi for this first show. Follow the controller maker’s instructions for its power, storage, network connection, and initial startup.

For a separate FPP player, you’ll need a supported Raspberry Pi, a suitable power supply, a microSD card (16 GB or larger is recommended), and a network connection. Ethernet is a straightforward choice for initial setup. You’ll also need your pixel controller and lights connected according to their own instructions.

Check: You know which device will play the show and which device will drive the pixels. They may be the same piece of hardware.

2. Install FPP software if needed

A controller sold with FPP installed may be ready to boot; check its setup instructions first. For a Raspberry Pi, write the FPP operating system image to the microSD card using Raspberry Pi Imager. In the Imager, look under Other specific-purpose OS → FPP OS, choose the image for your device, and select the microSD card.

Writing the image erases the card. The files must be written with imaging software; copying the downloaded file onto the card will not install FPP. The official FPP Quick Start Guide has the installation steps and other imaging options.

Check: Imaging completes successfully. Leave the card in the Pi for the next step.

3. Boot FPP and open its web page

Connect the FPP device to your network, insert its prepared microSD card if applicable, and power it on. Allow a few minutes for the first boot. From a computer on the same network, open http://fpp.local/ in a browser. If that address does not work, use the device’s IP address.

Complete FPP’s initial setup. Give the device a recognizable host name, especially if you may add another FPP device later. Set FPP Mode to Player for the device that will run your show.

Check: You can reopen FPP’s web page after the device restarts.

4. Set the network, time, and audio

In Status/Control → Network, confirm that FPP has a network connection and an address you can reach from the computer running xLights. If FPP sends show data to a separate pixel controller, both devices must be able to communicate over the show network.

In Status/Control → FPP Settings, set your time zone under Localization and choose the audio output you plan to use. Connect your speaker or FM transmitter’s audio input and test that output before show night. If you are running an animation without music, you can skip the audio test.

Check: The time shown in FPP is correct, and you can reach the player’s web page from your xLights computer.

5. Configure FPP’s light output

How you do this depends on your hardware:

• FPP built into the pixel controller: Confirm the controller’s pixel ports are configured for the props connected to them. The model and port assignments in xLights must match the physical wiring.
• FPP on a separate Raspberry Pi: Configure FPP to send data to your pixel controller using the protocol and channel settings you set in xLights. FPP’s Input/Output Setup → Channel Outputs page shows the network outputs.

xLights can send many of these output settings through FPP Connect in the next step. Check the resulting configuration in FPP before testing the show.

Check: FPP has an output path to the controller and lights. An uploaded sequence alone will not light a prop if its output settings are missing or mismatched.

6. Upload your xLights sequence

Save and render your sequence in xLights. Then open Tools → FPP Connect. Select your FPP device; if it is not discovered, choose Add FPP and enter its IP address. Select the sequence to upload. For a musical sequence, select Media so its audio file uploads too.

Review the output options for your setup. A separate FPP player sending data to a network controller generally needs the appropriate UDP Out configuration. An FPP device driving local pixel ports may show a Pixel Hat/Cape option. Click Upload, then confirm the sequence appears in FPP.

Check: FPP has the sequence’s .fseq file and, if applicable, its matching audio file.

7. Create and play a playlist

In FPP, open Content Setup → Playlists and create a new playlist. Add your sequence to the Main Playlist section. Choose Sequence Only for an animation or Sequence and Media for a musical sequence, selecting the matching audio file. Save the playlist and start it from FPP’s status page.

Check: The intended prop lights up and, for a musical sequence, the audio plays through the correct output. If FPP shows the playlist as playing but the lights stay dark, compare its output settings with the controller IP address, channel configuration, and port assignment in xLights.

8. Schedule your show

Open Content Setup → Scheduler. Add the playlist, set its dates, days, start time, and end time, then save. Check the schedule preview and watch the first scheduled run. FPP uses its clock for this, so correct time and time zone settings are essential.

You now have the full path working: xLights creates the sequence → FPP plays it → the controller drives the pixels. Add more props and songs only after this first playlist works from start to finish.