SiteKiosk Online makes it easy to protect user sessions and display helpful idle content when a kiosk is not in use but in some cases the user will read longer text or take longer to input data. In cases like this, you can use an idle time alert. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to set up an idle alert for the screensaver, configure the idle timeout, and publish your changes so the warning appears before the session resets. For account access, start at the SiteKiosk Online portal. If you want to compare platform options, see Windows 11 kiosk mode vs. SiteKiosk Online. If you’re still evaluating the product, you can also request a free trial. The idle timeout and warning behavior are controlled in the Idle & Logout settings, which determine when inactivity mode begins and when the warning appears.
Step 1: Log in to SiteKiosk Online
- Go to the SiteKiosk Online portal.
- Sign in to your account.
- Open the Projects menu.
- Select the project you want to update.
The idle and logout settings are managed inside the project settings, where you can control when inactivity mode starts and whether a warning appears first.
Step 2: Open the idle settings
- In your project, click Settings at the top of the page.
- Under the Client menu, select Idle and Logout.
- Review the current idle timeout value.
This setting controls how long the kiosk can remain inactive before SiteKiosk Online starts inactivity mode, clears the session, and resets content back to its original state.
Step 3: Set the idle timeout
- Choose how long the kiosk should wait before ending the session.
- Use a shorter time if you want sessions cleared quickly.
- Save your updated timeout value.
SiteKiosk Online uses the idle timeout to trigger inactivity mode, which can display a screensaver or attraction screen and reset the display state for the next user.
Step 4: Turn on the idle warning
- Check the box to display an idle warning.
- Set the warning timer to the number of seconds you want before the session ends.
- Save the setting.
The warning gives users a chance to keep their session alive by interacting with the device before the idle timeout is reached.
Step 5: Choose or add a screensaver page
- Add a screensaver page to the project if you do not already have one.
- Make sure the page is configured to display during idle mode.
- If needed, use a sequence container to rotate images, videos, PDFs, or web pages.
If you need a walkthrough for that part, you can follow the set up screensaver in SiteKiosk Online guide. SiteKiosk Online can show your selected content when the idle event is triggered, making it a good place for branded messages, promotions, or information screens.
Step 6: Save and publish the project
- Click OK to save your settings.
- Publish the project.
- Wait for the update to reach your devices.
Once published, the new idle warning and screensaver behavior will apply to the kiosk clients connected to that project.
Step 7: Test the warning on a device
- Open one of the published devices.
- Leave the kiosk idle until the warning appears.
- Interact with the screen, mouse, or keyboard to dismiss the warning.
If the user touches the screen or otherwise interacts with the device, the idle timer resets and the screensaver will not activate.
What the warning does
The idle warning helps prevent users from losing work if they are still reading or viewing content but have not interacted with the kiosk recently. If they ignore the warning, SiteKiosk Online will end the session, clear browser data, and show the configured idle content.
Helpful note
A screensaver page and an idle warning work together: the warning alerts the user before the session ends, and the screensaver or attract loop appears only after inactivity continues past the configured timeout. In SiteKiosk Online, when the screensaver activates, the user's session will be cleared and it will return to the start page in case a user forgets to logout.
FAQ: How to Set Up an Idle Alert for the Screensaver in SiteKiosk Online
Q: What is an idle alert in SiteKiosk Online?
A: An idle alert is a warning that appears before the kiosk enters screensaver or inactivity mode. It gives the user a chance to interact with the device and keep their session active.
Q: Why should I use an idle alert?
A: An idle alert helps prevent users from losing their session if they are still reading or viewing content. It also helps maintain a clean start for the next user by clearing the previous session when inactivity continues.
Q: Where do I set the idle alert in SiteKiosk Online?
A: You can configure it in your project under Settings > Client > Idle and Logout.
Q: What does the idle timeout control?
A: The idle timeout controls how long SiteKiosk Online waits after the last user interaction before starting inactivity mode, resetting the content display, and triggering the idle event.
Q: Can I choose how many seconds before the warning appears?
A: Yes. You can set how many seconds before inactivity mode starts that the warning should appear.
Q: What happens when the kiosk reaches the idle timeout?
A: SiteKiosk Online resets the content display, closes open dialogs, and can activate the screensaver or attract loop screen.
Q: How does the user dismiss the warning?
A: The user can dismiss it by interacting with the kiosk, such as touching the screen, moving the mouse, or pressing a key.
Q: Do I need a screensaver page for the idle alert to work?
A: No, If you do not configure idle content/screensaver, the device will return to the start page.
Q: What should I do after changing the idle settings?
A: Save your changes and publish the project so the updated warning and screensaver behavior applies to your devices.
Q: Can idle mode clear browser data?
A: Yes. When idle mode begins, SiteKiosk Online can reset the session and clear browser data so the next user starts fresh.
Q: Where can I learn more about setting up the screensaver itself?
A: You can review the related screensaver tutorial for step-by-step guidance on creating idle content.
