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Getting Your Mic to Work: Student Help Guide

Having trouble with your microphone during assignments? This guide walks you through fixing mic issues on any device.

Andrew Platt avatar
Written by Andrew Platt
Updated this week

Recommended Setup

Computer Users: Use Google Chrome for optimal performance.

iPad Users: Download the Speakable iOS app from the App Store (recommended) or use Safari browser as an alternative.

Chrome (Windows/Mac)

Microphone Issues

Step 1: Check Chrome Microphone Permissions

  1. Open Speakable in Chrome

  2. Click the 🔒 lock icon (or microphone icon) in the address bar

  3. Ensure Microphone is set to "Allow"

  4. If blocked, select "Allow" and refresh the page

Step 2: Check System Microphone Settings

Windows:

  1. Open Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone

  2. Ensure "Allow apps to access your microphone" is turned ON

  3. Scroll down to "Allow desktop apps to access your microphone" and ensure Chrome is listed

Mac:

  1. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone

  2. Ensure Google Chrome is enabled

Step 3: Reset Site Permissions in Chrome

  1. Click the three-dot menu in Chrome (top-right)

  2. Go to Settings > Privacy and Security > Site Settings

  3. Under Permissions, find Microphone and remove any block

  4. Restart Chrome and try again

Step 4: Clear Browser Cache & Reset Chrome

  1. Open Settings in Chrome

  2. Navigate to Privacy and Security > Clear browsing data

  3. Select Cookies, Site Data, Cached Images & Files (last 7 days)

  4. Click Clear Data

  5. Restart Chrome and try Speakable again

Audio Playback Issues

Troubleshooting Steps:

  • Click the 🔊 speaker icon in the bottom-right (Windows) or top-right (Mac)

  • Ensure Chrome is not muted in your system sound settings

  • Try another browser tab to test if audio works

Safari (iPad Browser)

Microphone Issues

Step 1: Enable Microphone Access for Safari

  1. Open Settings on your iPad

  2. Scroll down and tap Safari

  3. Under Settings for Websites, tap Microphone

  4. Set it to "Allow" or "Ask" (not "Deny")

Step 2: Check Speakable Site Permissions

  1. Open Safari and go to Speakable

  2. Tap the AA (aA button) in the top-left of the address bar

  3. Select Website Settings

  4. Ensure Microphone Access is set to Allow

Step 3: Clear Safari Cache (if issues persist)

  1. Open Settings > Safari

  2. Scroll down and tap Clear History and Website Data

  3. Restart Safari and try again

Audio Playback Issues

Troubleshooting Steps:

  • Ensure the iPad ringer switch is ON (if applicable)

  • Increase the volume using side buttons

  • If using headphones, disconnect and reconnect

Speakable iOS App

Microphone Issues

Step 1: Check iPad Microphone Permissions

  1. Open Settings on your iPad

  2. Scroll down and select Speakable

  3. Ensure Microphone is toggled ON

Step 2: Restart the Speakable App

Close the app completely (swipe up from the bottom and swipe the app away)

Reopen Speakable and try again

Step 3: Restart Your iPad

Hold down the Power button and Swipe to power off

Turn your iPad back on and try again

Step 4: Reinstall Speakable (if issues persist)

  1. Delete the Speakable app

  2. Reinstall it from the App Store

  3. Re-enable microphone permissions when prompted

Audio Playback Issues

Troubleshooting Steps:

  • Open another app (like YouTube) to confirm the iPad speakers are working

  • If using Bluetooth, disconnect and reconnect the device

Final Steps

If issues persist after trying the above solutions:

  • Restart your device

  • Check for updates to your browser, iOS, or the Speakable app

  • Contact Speakable support at hello@speakableapp.com

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