Antivirus, endpoint protection, firewalls, and web filters can block Bola or remove it. When that happens, you may see the download or install blocked, the desktop app not opening or not updating, the Chrome extension disappearing from your EHR (PMS), or the message "Error connecting with Bola servers."
This guide lists everything to allow in one place. If your office works with an IT company, you can send them this article.
Which version of Bola does your office use?
If your EHR is installed on your computers, you use the Bola desktop app. If your EHR runs in a web browser, you use the Bola Chrome extension. AI Scribe runs in Chrome at scribe.bola.ai. Some offices use more than one. Allow everything under Web addresses below, then the section for each version your office uses.
If Windows blocks the download
When you download the Bola desktop app installer, watch the downloads list in your browser. A warning symbol means Microsoft Defender SmartScreen is holding the file.
Click the download, then click Show more.
Click Report this app as safe. This helps Microsoft stop flagging Bola over time.
Click Keep anyway to finish the download.
If Windows Security still blocks Bola, Microsoft explains how to check and allow an app here: Protect your PC from potentially unwanted applications.
For your IT team: what to allow
Web addresses (all versions of Bola)
*.bola.ai(Bola's transcription, imaging, and Scribe services)boladentalreleases.blob.core.windows.net(desktop app installs and updates)chromewebstore.google.comandclients2.google.com(Chrome extension installs and updates)
Bola keeps a live, secure connection open to *.bola.ai while you chart. If a proxy or web filter inspects HTTPS traffic, exclude *.bola.ai from inspection, or the connection can drop or time out.
Desktop app
Add these exclusions in your antivirus or endpoint protection:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\bolavoiceassistant\(the Bola app and its updater, includingUpdate.exeandBola Voice Assistant.exe)%LOCALAPPDATA%\SquirrelTemp\(used while Bola installs and updates)
Bola installs separately for each Windows login, so these folders sit under each user profile that uses Bola, for example C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\bolavoiceassistant. Add the exclusion for each of those user profiles. An exclusion for a system-wide folder such as Program Files does not cover Bola.
Chrome extension
The Bola Chrome extension ID is efcpoommkbigcpbekkjpmfcdbpgggfjg.
If you manage Chrome with policies that control extensions (an allowlist, blocklist, or force-install list), add this ID. Otherwise a policy refresh can remove Bola from each user's Chrome profile.
If your endpoint protection removes or disables browser extensions, add an exception for the Bola extension.
If your security software has microphone protection, allow Chrome to use the microphone. The Bola extension does not show in your EHR until it has microphone access.
To install the extension or set the license key on many computers at once, see Deploy Bola at Scale: Enterprise & DSO Installation Guide.
AI Scribe
Scribe runs at scribe.bola.ai, which is covered by *.bola.ai above. If a page inside Scribe will not load in Chrome but works in an incognito window, a browser extension such as an ad blocker is blocking it. Allow Bola in that extension.
Antivirus vendor instructions
These guides from each vendor explain how to allow an app or folder:
Still blocked?
Reach out through the in-app chat or email support@bola.ai. Tell us which version of Bola you use and what you see on screen. For the desktop app, your IT team can also send the install log at %LOCALAPPDATA%\bolavoiceassistant\SquirrelSetup.log, which often names what blocked the install or update.