Browser-based audio recording is wonderful when it works and frustrating when it doesn't. Modern browsers, modern operating systems, and modern audio devices form a tower of moving parts that occasionally falls out of alignment. When that happens, Quill's recording feature stops working through no fault of yours.
Good news: most of the time, the fix is one of a handful of well-known steps. This guide walks through them in order, starting with the simplest and working up.
Try the no-thinking fix first
Before you dive into anything technical, try this:
- Completely quit your browser (not just close the tab -- quit the whole application).
- Reopen the browser.
- Try recording again.
If that doesn't work, restart your computer. Yes, really. Sign out, shut down, turn it back on, try Quill again.
We can't fully explain why this works as often as it does. Operating systems sometimes get themselves into a state where the browser thinks it has microphone access but doesn't really, or where a previously-connected device is still being claimed even though it's disconnected, or where a permission got revoked silently. A clean restart resets the whole stack and a surprising number of recording issues just disappear.
If you've tried both and recording still doesn't work, keep reading.
Test with something short, not a full summary
A quick note before you dive in: as you work through the steps below, don't keep re-recording a full session summary to test whether the issue is fixed. That's a lot of effort to throw away each time.
Just say something simple. "This is a test." Or "One two three." Click stop, and look at what Quill captured. If you see the audio panel responding -- the duration counter ticking up, the volume meter moving while you talk -- the recording itself is working. If you submit, Quill won't generate a meaningful note from "this is a test" (and that's fine, that's not the point) but you'll have confirmed that the audio side is working.
Once you've verified the underlying issue is resolved, then do your real summary. Don't waste your time generating notes from broken recordings.
Step 1: Make sure Quill has microphone permission in your browser
Most recording issues come down to permissions. Each browser handles this slightly differently. Find your browser in the table below and follow the instructions.
| Browser | Where to look | What to set |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome (Mac / Windows / Linux) | Click the lock icon (or "tune" icon) to the left of the URL at quilltherapysolutions.com. Find "Microphone" in the permissions panel. |
Set to "Allow" and refresh the page. |
| Firefox (Mac / Windows / Linux) | Click the lock icon -> "Connection secure" -> "More information" -> "Permissions". Find "Use the Microphone". | Uncheck "Use Default" and select "Allow". |
| Safari (Mac) | Safari menu -> Settings (or Preferences) -> Websites -> Microphone. Find quilltherapysolutions.com in the list. |
Set to "Allow". Refresh the page or quit and reopen Safari for the change to take effect. |
| Edge (Mac / Windows) | Click the lock icon to the left of the URL -> "Permissions for this site". Find "Microphone". | Set to "Allow". |
| Safari (iOS / iPad) | Device Settings -> Safari -> Microphone. | Make sure Quill is allowed. Also grant Safari microphone access at Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Microphone -> Safari. |
| Chrome (iOS / Android) | Chrome menu (three dots) -> Settings -> Site Settings -> Microphone. | Make sure Quill is allowed. On iOS, also grant Chrome system access at Settings -> Chrome -> Microphone. |
If your browser isn't listed, the pattern is usually similar -- look for a site-permissions or microphone-permissions panel and set it to "Allow" for Quill.
Step 2: Make sure your operating system isn't blocking the microphone
Permissions are layered. Even if your browser is allowed to use the microphone, your operating system can override that.
| Operating System | Where to look | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| macOS | System Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Microphone | Your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) is in the list with the toggle turned on. |
| Windows | Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Microphone | "Microphone access" is on, "Let apps access your microphone" is on, and your browser has microphone access in the app list below. |
| iOS / iPad | Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Microphone | Your browser app has the toggle turned on. |
| Android | Settings -> Apps -> [your browser] -> Permissions -> Microphone | Set to "Allow". |
Step 3: Make sure the right microphone is selected
If you've got microphone permission and recording still doesn't pick up sound, the wrong microphone might be selected. See Choosing Your Microphone for the full walkthrough, but the short version: click "Change Input Device" in Quill's recording panel and pick a different microphone.
You can also check what your operating system thinks the default microphone is:
- Mac: System Settings -> Sound -> Input. Make sure the right microphone is selected and that the input level meter is moving when you talk.
- Windows: Settings -> System -> Sound -> Input. Same check.
Step 4: Make sure another app isn't holding the microphone
Only one application can use the microphone at a time on most operating systems. If Zoom, FaceTime, Microsoft Teams, Discord, or any other app is currently using the microphone, your browser won't be able to.
Quit (don't just minimize) every other app that might be using the mic. If you're not sure, quit everything except your browser and try again.
This is also a common cause of "the recording starts but no sound comes through" -- another app grabbed the microphone in the background.
Step 5: Check your microphone hardware
If everything's permitted and nothing else is using the mic, the microphone itself might be the issue:
- Is anything muted? Some headsets have a physical mute switch on the cable. Some keyboards have a microphone mute key. Check.
- Is the microphone plugged in fully? Sometimes a half-seated jack reads as connected but doesn't pass audio.
- Try a different microphone. If you usually use AirPods, try your built-in laptop mic. If you usually use the laptop mic, plug in headphones. This narrows down whether the problem is a specific microphone or something more general.
- Try a different app. Open your operating system's built-in voice recorder and see if it can record from the microphone you're trying to use. If it can't, the issue is the microphone or its connection, not Quill.
Step 6: Update your browser
An out-of-date browser sometimes has audio bugs that have already been fixed in newer versions. Check your browser's "About" menu for the version, and update if there's one available.
When you've tried everything
If you've worked through all of the above and recording still doesn't work, email us with what you've tried and what error messages (if any) you saw. We'll help you figure out what's going on.
Recording issues are some of the most frustrating moments we hear about. We're sorry if you're dealing with one, and happy to help you sort it out.
