How to Fix Audio, Video, and App Issues

A Simple Guide to Solve Audio, Video, and App Issues. 

If you're taking online guitar lessons with me, chances are you're already juggling life, music, and learning something new. Technical issues shouldn't be another barrier. This post is here to help you solve common problems with sound, video, and apps so you can focus on playing, not troubleshooting.

Before You Join Class: Quick Setup Checklist

Before every session, it helps to run through a few simple steps to avoid technical hiccups. These don’t take long, but they make sure everything runs smoothly, so you can focus on playing, not fixing.

• Use a laptop with a working webcam (not a phone or tablet).

• Plug in wired headphones (they help avoid echo and timing delays).

• Stick to your laptop’s built-in mic unless I’ve suggested otherwise.

• Close all other apps that might use your camera or mic (Zoom, Skype, etc.).

• Stay close to your Wi-Fi router, or use a wired connection if possible.

• Restart your laptop once in a while. It clears stuck apps and background errors.

If Your Video Isn’t Working

Sometimes your camera might not turn on, and the cause is usually simple. First, check if your laptop has a physical privacy shutter (a small sliding switch that covers the webcam). Make sure that’s open. Then, check whether your browser has permission to access the camera. In Google Chrome, you can click the padlock icon next to the website address and manually allow camera access.

On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy > Camera, and on Mac, visit System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera. If another app, such as Zoom, is using the camera in the background, close it completely. And when in doubt, restarting your browser or your entire computer usually fixes it.

If You Can’t Hear Me (Or I Can’t Hear You)

Audio problems are almost always about selecting the right input and output device. In Google Meet, you can find this under Settings > Audio. Choose your laptop's mic as the input and your wired headphones as the output. Avoid using Bluetooth earbuds, especially if you're also playing along with backing tracks as they introduce latency and make timing harder.

If your sound is still off, close the browser completely and reopen the link. If that doesn’t help, restart your computer. These steps usually solve the problem.

If There’s an Echo

Echo typically means your speakers are on instead of headphones, or you're logged in from two devices at once (like your laptop and phone). Always use headphones, and only join the class from one device at a time. If someone else nearby is also on the call or playing the class audio out loud, that can also cause feedback.

If You Need to Share Your Screen or Audio

During class, I might ask you to share your screen or audio. On Google Meet, choose "Present Now" and select "Entire Screen". This is the most reliable option. If you're using a Mac and it doesn’t work the first time, you may need to enable screen sharing under System Settings > Privacy & Security > Screen Recording. Do this once and you won’t have to touch it again.

If an App Won’t Open or Feels Stuck

Sometimes an app won’t launch even though you double-click it. This often happens when the app is already running in the background or didn’t close properly. On Windows, open the Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc, find the stuck app, and click "End Task." On Mac, press Command + Option + Esc and force quit the app from there. If you're unsure, the simplest fix is to restart your computer.

A Quick Note About App Installation

Many students think they can copy an app’s shortcut or folder from one laptop to another and expect it to work. Unfortunately, that’s not how apps work.

When you install an app, you're not just copying files. You're letting the system place hidden support files, set permissions, and connect it to your operating system. Copying only the shortcut or the folder from "Program Files" skips all these steps. That’s why the app doesn’t launch properly on the new computer.

On Windows, install apps by downloading a file that ends in .exe and follow the install steps. On Mac, you'll usually download a .dmg file, open it, and drag the app into the Applications folder. Each computer needs its own clean install. Always use the official installer and never copy-paste app folders between systems.

Final Thoughts

If something doesn’t work, don’t panic. Restarting your browser or your laptop can solve most common issues. 

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