Complete Troubleshooting & Technical Support Guide
MyClassScreen runs directly inside modern web browsers without requiring local software installation or system administrator rights. Most issues stem from browser security permissions, multi-monitor display scaling, or district network filtering. Follow this guide to diagnose and resolve classroom display issues in minutes.
1. Microphone & Noise Meter Calibration
Resolving "Microphone Denied" or unresponsive sound meter levels.
The Noise Meter relies on the browser's native Web Audio API. Audio is processed purely on-device and never sent across the internet, but your browser requires explicit permission to access the input device.
- Google Chrome & Microsoft Edge: Click the "Tune" or Lock icon on the left edge of the address bar. Set Microphone to Allow. Refresh the tab. If the icon shows a red slash, click it and choose "Always allow https://myclassscreen.org to access your microphone."
- macOS System Permissions: If your browser has permission but the meter still doesn't react, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Microphone and ensure your browser (Chrome/Edge/Safari) is checked.
- Chromebooks (ChromeOS): Ensure that your school district administrator has not globally disabled audio input policies. Test your microphone in the native Camera or Voice Recorder app to ensure hardware functionality.
- USB Webcams vs. Smart Board Internal Mics: If you have an external document camera or webcam plugged in, your computer may default to its muted input. In Chrome, go to
chrome://settings/content/microphoneand select your preferred active microphone device.
2. Display Scaling, Smart Board Aspect Ratios & Full Screen
Fixing cut-off widgets, touch offset inaccuracies, and blurry fonts.
Classroom interactive displays (Promethean ActivPanel, SMART Board GX/MX, ViewSonic ViewBoard) typically operate at 3840×2160 (4K UHD) or 1920×1080 (1080p). When your laptop mirrors to a display with a different aspect ratio (e.g., a 16:10 MacBook to a 16:9 flat panel), black bars or scaling distortions may occur.
- Reset Browser Zoom to 100%: Accidental pinch-to-zoom or keyboard shortcuts can zoom your browser window. Press Ctrl + 0 (Windows/ChromeOS) or Cmd + 0 (Mac) to reset zoom to 100%.
- Use Full-Screen Presentation Mode: Press F11 on Windows/ChromeOS or Ctrl + Cmd + F on macOS. You can also click the Full Screen button on the MyClassScreen bottom toolbar to eliminate browser tabs, toolbars, and taskbars for an edge-to-edge canvas.
- Touch Calibration Offset: If tapping a button activates a spot 2 inches away, the display scaling on your operating system does not match the external display. On Windows, go to Settings > System > Display and ensure the external panel is set to its native recommended resolution (100% or 150% DPI scale).
- Disconnect & Reconnect HDMI: When plugging into an interactive panel via HDMI and USB-Touch, always connect the cables before launching the browser so the graphics drivers recognize the touch digitizer.
3. Board Persistence, Local Storage & Roaming Profiles
Preventing lost widgets, student name rosters, and saved layouts.
MyClassScreen protects student privacy by saving your boards and name lists directly into your browser's local HTML5 storage (IndexedDB / localStorage). Because data is stored on your device:
- Avoid Incognito or Private Browsing: Private browsing windows discard all local storage and cookies the moment the window closes. Always use a standard browser window to retain saved layouts.
- School District "Clear on Exit" Policies: Some school lab computers wipe browser data upon logout. If you move between classrooms or share a cart laptop, press Save Board on this computer and use Copy link to open the layout on another computer.
- Third-Party Cookie Blockers: Ensure your browser does not block site data for
myclassscreen.org. In Chrome, checkchrome://settings/cookiesand add[*.]myclassscreen.orgto "Sites allowed to save data on your device."
4. Performance, Hardware Acceleration & Low-Spec Devices
Smooth animations on entry-level classroom Chromebooks and older PCs.
MyClassScreen is engineered to be lightweight, but running multiple animated widgets (such as an active drawing canvas alongside a noise meter and stopwatch) on older hardware benefits from proper browser acceleration:
- Enable Hardware Acceleration: In Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, go to Settings > System and ensure "Use graphics acceleration when available" is turned ON. This offloads visual rendering to your GPU and eliminates touch stutter.
- Close Unused Background Tabs: Memory-heavy web tabs (such as YouTube streams, LMS gradebooks, or large Google Slides presentations) can throttle background CPU threads. Closing unnecessary tabs noticeably speeds up interactive widgets.
- Install as a Progressive Web App (PWA): For the cleanest, fastest experience on Chromebooks and smart boards, click the "Install" icon in your browser's address bar. This runs MyClassScreen in its own dedicated, distraction-free app window.
5. School District Network Filtering & Firewall Whitelisting
Information for school network administrators and IT specialists.
If your school firewall (e.g., GoGuardian, Securly, Lightspeed, Fortinet) blocks access or prevents web fonts and scripts from loading, ask your IT department to add the following endpoints to their allowlist:
- https://myclassscreen.org (Main portal, guides, documentation)
- https://myclassscreen.org/board/ (Interactive display canvas)
- https://scripts.scriptwrapper.com (marketing pages only; the board does not load it)
MyClassScreen does not use external tracking pixels, cross-site cookies, or unauthorized telemetry. For additional security documentation, share our Schools & Districts guide with your technology coordinator.