Complete Raspberry Pi 5 Setup Guide for New Users

Written By April Gittens

Maybe you picked it up on a whim because you saw a random Raspberry Pi project online. Or maybe a Raspberry Pi was gifted to you, and now it's staring at you from the corner of your desk.

Either way, if you’re wondering how to get it up and running, you’re in the right place!

This isn’t going to be a dry list of steps that makes you feel like you accidentally signed up for a course in electrical engineering. This is the beginner-friendly, “I need someone to walk me through it like I’m FaceTiming a tech-savvy friend” guide!

Prefer to follow a video? Check out Raspberry Pi 5 Setup: Start to Finish!

Supplies

Let’s start with the basics: here’s what should be in the box (or what you’ll need to get separately if you just bought the board):

  • Raspberry Pi 5 board

  • USB-C power supply (at least 5V 5A)

  • microSD card (32GB+ is ideal)

  • micro-HDMI to HDMI cable

  • HDMI cord

  • Wired keyboard

  • Wired mouse

  • Monitor

  • Active cooler

  • Case (optional, but things can get pretty hot!)

You can shop for these supplies directly in my Amazon Storefront: Raspberry Pi Essentials (FYI: I will receive a commission if you choose to purchase any supplies from this link).

Before proceeding, ensure that you intend to only use your microSD card for your Raspberry Pi device. Before, the Raspberry Pi OS gets written to the microSD card, you’ll be required to erase all the existing content on the card.

Step 1: Unbox the Raspberry Pi

It’s time to unbox your Raspberry Pi! If possible, try to ground yourself before handling the device. Static discharge can damage sensitive components. Try to hold the Raspberry Pi by its edges or corners.

Step 2: Connect the Raspberry Pi Active Cooler

The steps for connecting the active cooler will vary depending on the active cooler you’re using for your device. Some are as simple as snapping everything into place while others may require a bit more work and a screwdriver. Your active cooler most likely came with its own set of instructions for connecting to the Raspberry Pi. However, I’ll cover the steps for connecting of official Raspberry Pi Active Cooler.

Unbox the cooler and locate the two white plastic push pins with little springs attached. These push pins secure the cooler to your board. Remove the sheet from the bottom of active cooler to access the thermal pads but don’t remove the thermal pads!

Holder the active cooler over your Raspberry Pi 5 so the metal plate sits right on top of the CPU and RAM area. The thermal pads should line up on top of their respective areas and the two push pins should align with the mounting holes next to the processor.

Gently press each white pin straight down until it clicks into place. The springs provide tension to hold everything snug.

Find the 4-pin fan header labeled “FAN” on the board (it’s tucked near the USB ports). Plug in the small black connector from the cooler. It only fits one way, so don’t force it.

Double check everything! Give the active cooler a little wiggle — not too much — just to make sure the pins are secure, and the fan wire isn’t caught under anything. Everything should feel secure, but not overly tight

Step 3: Download the Raspberry Pi Imager

You now need to download the Raspberry Pi Imager which provides you with the Raspberry Pi OS. Head to the Software page of the Raspberry Pi website to download the Raspberry Pi Imager for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux). Once the download is complete, open the Raspberry Pi Imager.

Step 4: Connect the microSD card to the computer

You’ll now need to insert the microSD card into the computer. The method in which you’ll do is dependent on your computer ports. If your computer has a microSD slot, you can insert the microSD card directly. If your computer doesn’t have a microSD slot, follow one of the options below:

·      If your computer has a SD card slot, insert the microSD card into an SD Card adapter and then insert the SD card adapter directly into your computer.

·      If your computer doesn’t have a SD card slot, insert the microSD card into a USB card reader with a microSD slot and connect the USB card reader directly to your computer.

Step 5: Configure flash settings

After the Raspberry Pi Imager downloads, open the program. With the Raspberry Pi Imager open, select the following options:

  • Raspberry Pi Device: Raspberry Pi 5

  • Operating System: Raspberry Pi OS (recommended)

  • Storage: Your microSD card

After you’ve made your selections, click Next.

Step 6: Configure OS customization settings

When prompted to confirm whether you would like to apply OS customization settings, select Edit Settings. Enter the following for the tabs and fields of the OS customization settings:

General Tab

  • Set hostname: Give your Raspberry Pi a name. This makes it easier to find on your network later — especially if you plan to SSH into your Raspberry Pi from another device.

  • Set username

  • Username: Enter a username for your device

  • Password: Enter a password for your device

  • Configure wireless LAN

  • SSID: Your WIFI network name

  • Password: Your WIFI password

  • Set locale settings

  • Time zone: Select your time zone

  • Keyboard layout: Select the layout for your keyboard

Services

  • Enable SSH: Check this box if you plan to SSH into your Raspberry Pi from another device.

Options

  • Eject media when finished: Check this box

After you’ve made your selections, click Save followed by Yes to apply OS customization settings.

Just a quick note on SSH: SSH (short for Secure Shell) is a way to access your Raspberry Pi’s terminal from another computer, kind of like remote-controlling your Pi without needing to plug in a monitor, keyboard, or mouse.

It’s super useful once your Raspberry Pi is up and running, especially if you want to tuck it away in a corner and manage it wirelessly. You’ll be able to access the Raspberry Pi files, install apps, and run scripts, all from your main laptop or desktop.

Step 7: Flash the OS

You’re going to get one more warning before the OS is written to the microSD card. You’ll be notified that all existing data on the microSD card will be erased. Select Yes to proceed. The Raspberry Pi Imager will now begin to write the OS to the microSD card. This will take a couple of minutes, so feel free to step away and come back to check on the status!

Once complete, you’ll get a notification informing you that the write is successful. Your microSD card should have ejected from your computer, however if it hasn’t, you could eject the microSD card manually from your computer’s File Explorer.

Step 8: Insert microSD into the Raspberry Pi

Turn the Raspberry Pi over and insert the microSD card into the microSD card slot. The microSD card’s label should be face-up. The metal contacts (gold-colored strips) on the bottom of the microSD card goes into the microSD slot first.

Step 9: Connect the peripherals

Let’s now connect everything to the Raspberry Pi! We’ll start with the keyboard and mouse. The Raspberry Pi has 4 USB ports. You’ll need to connect your keyboard and mouse to the compatible USB ports, this is most likely the black USB 2.0 ports.

Next, connect the HDMI cord from your monitor to the micro-HDMI to HDMI cable. Now, connect the micro-HDMI to HDMI cable to the micro-HDMI port.

Connect the power supply’s USB-C cord to the USB-C port. Afterwards, plug in the power supply to an electrical outlet.

Step 10: Boot the Raspberry Pi

Your Raspberry Pi will likely turn on once the power supply is plugged into an electric outlet. However, if the Raspberry Pi doesn’t turn on, press the Power button on the Raspberry Pi. You’ll know that the Raspberry Pi is on if the light on the device is green.

If all goes well, you’ll see a rainbow splash screen and then the desktop interface will load. Give things a moment for your Raspberry Pi’s initial boot. The boot process will be much faster after the initial boot.

Step 11: Update the Raspberry Pi

Before you start having, there’s one final thing that you need to do and that’s update the Raspberry Pi. Updating your Raspberry Pi ensures that the device is using the latest software and security fixes.

The Raspberry Pi OS image you used to set things up might be weeks or even months old. By updating right away, you avoid bugs, improve performance, and make sure you’re not missing important security patches. You’ll install updates via the Terminal.

To access the Terminal, click the black terminal icon on the top taskbar (looks like a monitor with >_ inside). Once the terminal is open, enter the following command:

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade -y

Once the terminal execution is complete, you’re all set!

It’s time for some fun!

I still remember the first time I booted up a Raspberry Pi. I didn’t know what I was doing, I just followed the steps I found online, messed up a few times, and somehow made it to the other side with a newfound confidence and a list full of notes that I’m passing over to you!

If you’re in need of some project inspiration, check my blog post: Beginner Friendly Raspberry Pi Projects.

I hope that you enjoy your Raspberry Pi!

April Gittens
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