Troubleshoot audio issues

Practice calls are voice-led, so a mic problem stops everything. Here's how to get unstuck.

Microphone blocked

If the mic check says Microphone blocked, your browser is denying access:

1. Click the icon next to your browser's address bar (or open your browser's site settings for this site).
2. Allow the microphone.
3. Back on your dashboard, click Re-test microphone and say something like "Testing, one two three." When the waveform moves and we confirm we heard you, you're set.

The same status row appears on the call's join screen, so you can fix and re-test right before a call too.

The mic drops mid-call

If we can't reach your microphone during an exchange, the call shows an error with two options: Try again — retry after you've fixed the permission or plugged the mic back in — or Skip this exchange and let the call move on.

We can't hear you, or you sound faint

• Check your operating system's sound settings and make sure the input device you're actually speaking into is the default — especially after plugging in a headset.
• Headphones with a mic usually beat a laptop's built-in mic, and they stop the buyer's voice from bleeding into your answers.
• Take the call from a quiet room; the mic check's waveform is a quick way to confirm you're coming through.
• If nothing helps, restart the browser or try an up-to-date version of another browser.

Interrupted calls

• The call never started. If setup fails, you'll see an error and no practice call is used.
• You lost connection or closed the tab mid-call. The call isn't lost — it's waiting under Recent calls on the practice page, and opening it resumes where you left off. A call is counted against your team's pool when it starts, so resuming doesn't use another one.
• The report got stuck. If analysis hits a snag, the session page shows a Try again button. Your answers are safe, and retrying the report doesn't use another practice call.