Troubleshooting: Recording problems
If you have problems recording with this program, check the following:
- Can you hear sound with the program? If not, troubleshoot that problem first. See Troubleshooting: Sound Problems.
- Can the program detect your microphone? If you see a message that no microphone is detected, follow the instructions in Troubleshooting: Microphone not detected to make sure that your microphone is properly enabled.
- Are you trying to use a microphone that is not the default recording device for your system? This program may not detect your microphone unless it is the default device. See Troubleshooting: Microphone not detected.
- Is your microphone plugged in and properly connected? Make sure that both ends of the cable between your microphone and your computer are securely connected to the correct locations. If your microphone and headphones have separate cables, make sure you haven't plugged them into each other's holes by mistake.
- Is your microphone turned off or muted? If your microphone has a power button, make sure it is on. If it has a mute button, make sure it is off. If it has a volume control, make sure it is set at a reasonable level.
- If you are using the built-in microphone on a tablet, is your finger (or anything else) covering the microphone while you hold the device? Make sure that nothing is blocking the microphone while you speak, and make sure that the microphone hole is clean and free of dust or anything that might muffle the recording. Also, make sure you are speaking into the microphone at an appropriate distance and angle.
- Does your browser have permission to access your microphone? See Setting up for recording and Allowing the program to use your microphone.
- Is the recording volume for your computer's operating system set correctly? See Adjusting the OS Recording Volume.
- Are you recording on iOS? A technical limitation of iOS prevents programs from making standard audio recordings in a web browser. On an iOS tablet such as an iPad, you must therefore record a video, from which this program will extract the audio. See Recording in your browser on iOS.
- Did you click and hold the RECORD button instead of releasing it before speaking into your microphone? To record in this program, you must click RECORD, release it, speak into the microphone, then click STOP when you are done. Do not click STOP too soon, or you could cut off part of your recording.
- Were you speaking too softly or too loudly, or was your microphone too close or too far from your mouth? Try speaking louder or softer, or changing the position of your microphone. There are some additional recording tips available in Understanding and Using EveryVoice™ Speech Analysis.
- Is there too much background noise? How quiet you need to make it depends on the sensitivity of your microphone, but the less noise, the better. If you have problems with background noise, consider moving to a quieter location.
- Did you lose your server connection? Some activities which allow recording may require a server connection for their speech analysis features. If you see a message about a lost server connection while trying to record, see Troubleshooting: Lost Server Connection.
- Is the program recording your answers, but not recognizing them as correct? See Understanding and Using EveryVoice™ Speech Analysis for information on why a correct answer may occasionally be misunderstood.
If you still have problems recording, see Technical Support.
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