# Live vs test mode for displays

When creating a display you can choose **test mode** or **live mode**. Both behave identically — the difference is cost and how long the display can be active.

## Cost

- **Test** — free. Not billed.
- **Live** — billed monthly.

## How long the display can be active

- **Test** — active for 30 minutes from the moment the player opens the display. After that the player stops receiving updates and its screen turns off.
- **Live** — runs 24/7.

## When test mode expires

::: warning Blank screen after 30 minutes?
If a test display suddenly stops updating or goes blank, it has almost certainly hit the 30-minute test-mode limit. The timer starts when the player opens the display — not when you create it.
:::

To keep the display running past 30 minutes, switch it to **Live**:

1. Go to **Displays** and open the display.
2. In **Settings**, change the **Type** from **Test** to **Live**.
3. Save. The player picks up the change and resumes updates.

Switching to Live adds the display to your subscription. See [Billing](/features/billing) for pricing.

## When to use test mode

Test mode is designed for short-lived checks:

- Previewing a playlist or page on real hardware before committing
- Demoing Lumicast to a colleague
- Verifying pairing, network, or player-install setup

For anything permanent — a wall-mounted screen, a reception display, a menu board — use Live from the start to avoid surprise blank screens.