Category: Computers

  • Here’s Why Zoom Keeps Switching Audio: Fix The Sound

    Here’s Why Zoom Keeps Switching Audio: Fix The Sound

    This pandemic has really boosted the trend of online meetings. And Zoom is the most used cloud-based video conferencing service for online meetings. However, like any other software, users experience glitches too with Zoom. One frequently reported issue is Zoom’s audio keeps switching automatically between the headset, speakers, and other audio output devices even if you didn’t charge it.

    It can be very disruptive and annoying when Zoom keeps switching audio while you’re trying to have a conversation. Things can really get messed up if this audio glitch happens during an online meeting.

    Therefore, we have looked into this issue and tried some troubleshooting techniques to find a solution to the audio issue. In this article, we have created this easy-to-read guide to help you understand why it happens and how to fix this audio glitch.

    Why is my audio switching from headphones to speakers?

    This audio glitch can be a Zoom app issue, or a device level error. We need to run a proper troubleshoot to identify reasons that cause the sudden switch of the Zoom audio device. But, prior to troubleshooting, we must get a clear knowledge of why it happens. So let’s first look into the possible reason behind this Zoom audio error.

    Why-is-my-audio-switching-from-headphones-to-speakers
    Photo by Chris Hardy on Unsplash

     

    Zoom audio settings

    When it comes to Zoom audio issues, you must start by checking its audio settings. Although there aren’t any specific options that will directly change the audio output device, the selection of certain settings can ultimately lead the audio to switch automatically due to random glitches. Therefore you need to look into the audio settings of the Zoom app and select the options conveniently.

    If your microphone not working on Zoom meetings, read our article on Zoom Microphone Not Working: Fix Your Mic With This Guide.

    Zoom keeps switching audio due to a flawed wire connection

    In case your headset has a loose connection, it can frequently get disconnected and reconnected from your computer. What happens is when the headset (or other audio devices) gets disconnected, the computer automatically switches to another device, say speaker. You may reconnect the headset, but due to an unstable connection, the audio will again shift to the speaker. So if the Zoom audio is selected as the system default, the audio will keep switching on the Zoom too.

    The flawed connection can be caused by the loose USB or audio port connection, also due to damaged wires.

    Audio driver error

    This may happen due to computer-related issues. Suppose, you have selected your headphone as the output device. But if there’s an error with the headphone driver, the Zoom app won’t be able to detect the headphone.

    Drivers are like adapters for computer hardware devices.  Basically, your computer’s operating system (OS) doesn’t know how to communicate with the hardware. Therefore specific software (known as Driver) is designated to specific hardware. Drivers translate the communication of hardware to OS and connect hardware to the computer.

    From the discussion, it is understandable that if the headphone drive has some error, both the computer and Zoom app can’t connect the headphone. Therefore the Zoom app will automatically switch to the default audio output device of your computer.

    Zoom keeps switching audio because of distortion in Bluetooth connection

    If you are using a Bluetooth audio device, a distortion in the connectivity can cause the issue. Just like the wired connection, the audio device will get disconnected if the Bluetooth connectivity gets distorted. Due to pairing issues, unstable connectivity can lead the Zoom app to switch back and forth between devices randomly.

    Remote Control mode

    If you enable the Remote Control mode, it is possible that a glitch in the remote controlling user can cause the unusual switching of the Zoom audio. In that scenario, you can disable the Remote Control mode. Then ask the user to check his/her PC and run troubleshooting if required.

    Also Read:

    Why Does Zoom Keeps Signing Me Out?: Stay Logged In

    Zoom Not Connecting To Meeting: Heres How To Connect

    The troubleshooting: How to stop Zoom from keep switching audio

    Let’s now do the troubleshooting to fix this audio glitch on Zoom. The following approaches may help you to stop the Zoom from switching back and forth between devices. 

    Fix-1: Adjust Zoom audio settings

    Adjust the following settings on your Zoom application and observe the audio performance then.

    Step-1: Launch the Zoom app on your PC and open the settings. Then select Audio in the settings option.

    Step-2: In Audio settings, choose the Speaker and Microphone. Make sure you change the Speaker and Microphone from “Same as System” to the specific device you want to connect the audio to.

    Step-3: Under the Speaker, uncheck the “Use separate audio device to play ringtone simultaneously” option to avoid possible conflict. Also, uncheck the “Automatically join audio by computer when joining a meeting” option.

    Adjust-Zoom-audio-settings
    Adjust Zoom audio settings

     

    Fix-2: Check the wire connection if Zoom keeps switching audio

    As discussed earlier, the flawed wire connections also cause this issue. Therefore you need to inspect the wire connection of your audio device.

    Step-1: Check along the full length of the wire. Examine the cable if it has any cut, burnt, or damage that could interrupt the connection.

    Step-2: Then inspect the ports. Whether it’s an audio port or a USB port, check if the port is damaged or broken. 

    If you can’t detect any visible damage, there can be internal issues too. Try with a different audio device. If the other device works seamlessly, then the problem lies in the first audio device.

    Fix-3: Update and reinstall the audio driver

    Outdated drivers can cause glitches. Therefore, to update the Windows audio driver:

    Step-1: Press the Window Key + X, then select Device Management. Now expand the “Audio inputs and outputs”. There you will see the list of your audio devices. 

    Step-2: After that, select and right-click on the audio device you want to connect to Zoom. Click the to Update Driver then go ahead with the further update procedure.

    Update-and-reinstall-the-audio-driver
    Update and reinstall the audio driver

     

    In case of an audio driver error, you can also try to reinstall the driver. To reinstall the audio driver:

    Step-1: To reinstall the driver, first uninstall the driver. Open the Device Management > Audio inputs and outputs. 

    Step-2: Then select and right-click the audio device you want to connect to Zoom again. This time click the Uninstall to delete the driver.

    Step-3: After the uninstallation is done, restart your PC. Once your computer is restarted, the driver will automatically reinstall.

    Now test the audio on the Zoom app and see if it’s working properly.

    Fix-4: Update the Zoom app

    The older version of the Zoom app can have some bugs. Those bugs can cause glitches like audio switching between devices. Therefore you need to install the latest version of the Zoom app. To update the application:

    Update-the-Zoom-app
    Update the Zoom app

     

    Step-1: Launch the Zoom application, click on your profile picture on the top right corner.

    Step-2: In the profile drop-down menu, select Check for Updates. If an update is available, it will appear on the screen. Install that update, then relaunch Zoom.

    Lastly

    If you follow the procedures described above, this audio glitch must get fixed. We have included every possible way to fix this error in this article. However, if the Zoom keeps switching audio automatically between headphones and speakers you should contact Zoom Support and keep looking for bug-fix news from the developers.

    If you find value in this article, you might also find other articles on this website. In case you need any further help, please click the button below to ask for our LIVE tech support.

  • Why Is My Touch Bar Not Working?: Fix Mac’s OLED Here

    Why Is My Touch Bar Not Working?: Fix Mac’s OLED Here

    Is the touch bar not working on your Mac when you try and make changes? Is the OLED display not lighting up at all?

    Issues with Apple’s touch bar will transpire if you have damaged the hardware of your laptop through water spillage, or the macOS on your device is outdated.

    Simply restarting your Mac, and erasing the touch bar cache on your device will help fix this feature from not functioning properly.

    With this easy to follow guide, we will go through all the reasons why your touch bar may not be working, as well as provide you with four simple fixes that you will be able to execute.

    Why is My Mac Touch Bar Not Working?

    Touch bar not working
    Why is my Apple touch bar not working?

    Have you recently updated your Mac OS to the Big Sur version? It has been recorded that the Mac touch bar is not working after an update has been completed on your device. This is because the software update contains faulty files that get downloaded onto your Apple. 

    If you have not updated your Mac OS, your touch bar is not working for the following reasons;

    Reason 1. Mac Low Disk Space

    Your touch bar can become unresponsive if your Macbook is running low on disk space. This is caused when your system’s resources get depleted due to a large number of programs running simultaneously.

    This can also be due to a build-up of cache files from the standard usage of the touch bar.

    Reason 2. Water Damage

    If you have spilt a liquid on your Mac device, this could be why your touch bar is not working.

    The water will seep through into the internal components of your computer and eat away at the hardware.

    This will result in your Mac’s OLED display bar to stop functioning properly.

    Reason 3. General Mac Software Glitch

    Sometimes, your Apple device will incur a general software error caused by general use.

    This does not mean there is a specific issue with your Mac. You may have unintentionally downloaded corrupted files onto your device through the use of an application.

    Reason 4. Outdated Mac OS

    Even though your touch bar not working can be caused by updating your Mac device, leaving your operating system on an outdated version can also be the cause for the Mac OLED display to stop working.

    Reason 5. Mac Hardware Issue

    Your Mac device may have an internal hardware issue that is preventing your bar from working.

    Have you recently dropped your laptop? If there is a loose component or a broken piece of hardware, you will experience issues with your Mac.

    How to Fix Touch Bar Not Working

    Touch bar not working
    How to fix Mac touch bar not working

    If your touch bar is not working after you have updated your Mac OS, you can fix this error by rebooting your Mac to help get rid of any faulty files currently downloaded on your device. Restart your Apple by selecting the Apple logo at the top of your screen and choosing ‘Restart’.

    Other methods that will help fix your touch bar not working include;

    Fix 1. Force Quit Applications on Mac

    If your Mac is currently low on disk space you can force quit out of applications that are active on your device to free up space.

    This method is also beneficial if any of the programs running on your Apple device are being problematic.

    Step 1. Open the Apple Menu

    Step 2. Select ‘Force Quit’

    Step 3. Go through all the current applications and click on ‘Force Quit’

    Restart your Mac to ensure all the applications data is erased.

    Fix 2. Refresh Touch Bar Mac

    You can refresh the touch bar on your Mac.

    This will aid in getting rid of any faults within the OLED’s display unit.

    Step 1. Access the Applications section on your Mac and open ‘Utilities’

    Step 2. On the Black screen, insert the command: pkill “Touch Bar Agent”

    Step 3. Press the ‘Return’ button

    This will refresh your touch bar, and reinitialise a connection.

    Fix 3. Clear Touch Bar Cache

    Erasing the built-up cache will help stop the touch bar from getting stuck.

    Step 1. Open your ‘Finder’ and access ‘Location’

    Step 2. Now, follow ~/Library/Preferences/

    Step 3. Search the file; apple.touch bar.agent.plist 

    Step 4. Once found, move it into your trash

    Step 5. Now find the cache folder;  ~/Library/Caches/and move it into trash

    Once you have done this, restart your Mac.

    Fix 4. Update Mac OS

    If you are making use of an outdated operating system, this can interfere with your touch bar working properly.

    Update your macOS to ensure you are on the latest version. Once your system has been overridden with the newest software, reboot your device and test your touch bar.

    How to Change Touch Bar Settings on Mac

    Touch bar not working
    Photo by Mia Baker on Unsplash

    The settings you have configured on your Apple device for your touch bar could be the reason why the OLED display is not working. Have you enabled the control strip setting? If not, your touch bar will appear blank, and you will be unable to make use of the feature.

    How to Enable Touch Bar on Mac

    Step 1. Access ‘System Preferences’

    Step 2. Select ‘Keyboard’

    Step 3. You should see a dropdown available from ‘Touch Bar Shows’

    Step 4. Make sure ‘Show Control Strip’ is turned on

    Step 5. Check that ‘App Controls’ has been selected

    Once these preferences have been set, your touch bar should now successfully display the correct options.

    Note, you can click on ‘Customize Control Strip’ to edit what options get shown on your touch bar display. You will be able to add, delete and rearrange your chosen options.

    (Fun Fact; Every Apple iPhone advert that gets played will show the time as 09:41 am. This is the exact time Steve Jobs released the device back in June 2007).

    Why is My Touch Bar Not Lighting Up?

    Touch bar not working

    Your touch bar will not light up if there has been a temporary software error on your device. This can transpire through downloading faulty files, or your Mac was restarted in error.

    You can fix your touch bar from not lighting up by completing one, or a few of the following solutions;

    If none of these methods works for you, you may need to contact Apple support.

    Conclusion

    With this extensive guide, we hope you now understand why your touch bar was not working, and that at least one of the easy fixes supplied was the solution to this issue on your Apple device.

    If you are still experiencing problems with your touch bar not working on your MacBook, we recommend you contact Apple directly for them to assist you further.

    You can follow the steps provided on the online Apple support page.

    (Quiz Time; What year was the first iPhone released? Complete our online form with your details, and answer in the comments box).

  • Here’s Why HP Laptop Won’t Turn On But Power Light Is On

    Here’s Why HP Laptop Won’t Turn On But Power Light Is On

    Did you recently break your HP laptop? Or did you perhaps drop it? Is your laptop refusing to turn on when you’re using everything in the manual? Is your hope that there is life in the laptop because of the power light keeping you from replacing it? Well, don’t worry as we’ll try our best to solve your HP laptop won’t turn on problem.

    HP is one of the worlds leading brands in the technological space. Computers and printers have been the staple for home, work and school use this decade. 

    Throughout the year’s HP has earned a reputation for reliable and affordable laptops. They are the face of windows powered laptops in the digital world. 

    Why Are HP Laptops Important Nowadays?

    hp laptop black screen

    Nothing is more frustrating than your laptop not turning on at crucial moments. Laptops have been the centre of our lives in this digital boom, especially since the covid hit. Studying or working from home has become an essential part of our lifestyle and seems to be for the foreseeable future.

     To embrace the norm, we must have a working device that connects us with the rest of the world, and nothing is more practical than our trusty HP laptop.

    Why HP Laptop Won’t Turn On But The Light Is On?

     

    But when that laptop starts to malfunction, our first thought is to hope it doesn’t die. Because if it goes, so does our productivity. But what happens when your Laptop Won’t Turn On But The Light Is On?

    Well, that means that your laptop is not necessarily dead. Turning on the power light indicates that the laptop is still receiving power in its processor and motherboard. In layman’s terms, the HP laptops brain is still alive. If the screen of your laptop won’t turn on, there can be several culprits such as:

    • A faulty Power Supply
    • Failed Hardware
    • Malfunctioning Screen
    • BIOS Error
    • Software Issue
    • And More

    We are here to help guide you through this daunting list of errors so you don’t feel overwhelmed. With our help, your laptop will be back up running in a matter of minutes.

    How Do I Fix HP Laptop Won’t Turn On But The Light Is On?

    Safari keeps crashing

    Check Power Supply/Battery

    One of the first things you should consider checking out is the HP laptops power supply as it is usually the main culprit in cases of HP Laptop Won’t Turn On, But The Light Is On. The  laptop is a portable device which means it is heavily dependent on a well functioning battery. A weak or malfunctioning battery can cause several problems such as Laptop Won’t Turn On But The Light Is On as there won’t be enough power or voltage in it to turn the screen on.

    To test if you have a power supply issue, first, you need to remove the battery from the HP laptop. Then plug the power supply into your HP laptop directly. Try turning on your HP laptop. If you don’t encounter HP Laptop Won’t Turn On, But The Light Is On, the problem is your battery. You can still work on your laptop directly with the AC power supply adapter for a while. However, ultimately, you will need to replace the battery. 

    On the other hand, if you find your HP Laptop Won’t Turn On, But The Light Is On, you must move on to the next tip.

    Hard Reset Your HP Laptop

    Hard resetting any device brings it back to its factory setting state. Doing so removes any unnecessary setting that might be causing HP Laptop Won’t Turn On, But The Light Is On. In the case of hard resetting HP laptops, you can easily go ahead because your saved data on your hard drives won’t be erased or corrupted.

    1. First, you need to remove your battery and any external devices connected to your laptops, such as external drives, USBs, keyboards, mice and cameras.
    2. Make sure you have not connected the power supply to your HP laptop.
    3. Now press and hold your HP laptops power button for 15 seconds to a minute to remove any residual power in the system. This step is crucial to reset the HP laptop.
    4. Now place the battery back in and plug in your AC power adapter.
    5. Power on your HP laptop normally.
    6. If you see something pop up on your screen, press continue and select Start Windows Normally.
    7. You should have now successfully hard reset your HP laptop.

    Even if, after the hard reset, your HP Laptop Won’t Turn On But The Light Is On, then you might need to further troubleshoot this problem.

    Check Screen Issues

    HP Laptop Won't Turn On But Power Light Is On

    If you hear noises along with the power button light whenever you try to power on your HP laptop, that indicates a problem with your HP laptop screen. To troubleshoot your screen, you need to:

    1. Remove all external connections such as external drives, USBs, keyboard, mice and cameras.
    2. Turn off all lights and make the room as dark as possible.
    3. If you see a faint glow on your screen, then that means either the screens inverter or the connections/cables leading up to the screen have failed, which you may need to replace.
    4. Another issue might be that your brightness button is malfunctioning, so try to disable it with an external keyboard with a dedicated brightness button to override it.
    5. If you see no light, then your screen itself has failed or been broken. So, it would be best if you considered buying a new screen.

    Final Thoughts

    We have successfully troubleshot all the necessary steps needed to solve this problem. But, if you are still encountering HP Laptop Won’t Turn On But The Light Is On, you need to contact HP customer care for professional assistance. We hope we have solved your problem with your HP Laptop Won’t Turn On But The Light Is On. 

    We also have solutions for What To Do If Your Laptop Won’t Charge: Here’s How To Power It Up and Here’s Why Office 365 Won’t Activate Windows 7: Solutions here.

  • Why My Laptop Won’t Connect To Internet? Reconnect Here

    Why My Laptop Won’t Connect To Internet? Reconnect Here

    This has happened to almost all of us: You grab your laptop on a lazy Sunday to stream a movie, but when you settle down and open your browser, you notice that your laptop won’t connect to Internet. The Internet is one of the basic needs to run operations on the laptop and connect to different websites. 

    Things can get pretty tricky when your laptop doesn’t connect to the Internet. It is because so much of your work depends on it. You might get frustrated and not know the reason behind the issue. Users need to find ways to determine the reason behind this issue before looking for a solution. 

    These issues can simply make your connection slow, periodically disrupted, or even sometimes the laptop just flat out won’t connect to the Internet. So, if your laptop won’t connect to Internet, you need to find out the reasons and then apply solutions to overcome the problem. 

    Reasons Why My Laptop Won’t Connect To Internet

    Laptop Won’t Connect To Internet

    There are many reasons that your laptop fails to connect to the Internet. Here are some of the most common reasons that can result in your laptop not connecting to the Internet. The first possible reason could be that your laptop is in airplane mode or turned off the Internet. This is a common reason behind your laptop not connecting to the Internet. 

    Another reason your laptop won’t connect to Internet could be that your router or internet modem is down. Your router could be down because of low signal quality that slows your internet speed or disrupts it completely. This can make you scratch your head sometimes, but there are many ways to fix this problem. We will discuss this later in the article.

    There is another reason that can point towards slow or no internet connection on your laptop, and the reason is that your laptop is too far from the router or internet modem. Range and distance highly depend on your internet connectivity. So, if your internet device is far away from your laptop, you might not be able to catch signals, and this will result in your laptop not connecting to the Internet. 

    Last but not least, the reason your laptop won’t connect to Internet could be because it doesn’t support the internet network it is connecting to. Every laptop and device has its own connectivity compatibility and parameters. This can easily hinder connecting your laptop to the Internet and make you dread it. 

    There can be some times when your Amazon Prime is not connecting to your internet —that can easily frustrate any user in a similar situation. 

    How to Fix My Laptop So It Connects to the Internet?

    Laptop Won’t Connect To Internet

    When you encounter the dreaded “No internet connection” error, it can be really irritating. One of the most baffling issues that might happen is your network adapter suddenly vanishes. Or the connectivity of your Internet just refuses to work. It is only natural to stress in cases like these, but there are ways to fix the issue and smoothly use the Internet on your laptop. 

    Use the Troubleshooting Tool 

    Laptops have an automatic troubleshooting tool that can help you diagnose the problem you are facing. You can follow some simple steps to troubleshoot. Here’s how you can run a troubleshooting tool on a Mac laptop: 

    • Make sure that you quit all open apps and try to join your internet network.
    • After this, you need to click on the magnifying glass icon in the top-right corner.
    • You have to type “wireless diagnostics” in this search bar and press return. 
    • The previous step will introduce you to specific instructions, and the program will analyze your connection, figure out your issues, and provide suitable solutions.

    On the other hand, you can run this tool on your Windows laptop by following these steps: 

    • Go to start and click on Setting 
    • From there, click on Network and Internet, check Status and then click on Network Troubleshooter 
    • You will come across a few steps, follow them, and the tool will attempt to resolve your issue

    Check and Reset Your Hardware

    If you have already tried troubleshooting and your laptop won’t connect to Internet, you can try using other methods to make it work. There are times when the laptop itself is not working properly. You can check and reset it by following these steps: 

    • Click on start and then click shut down. This step will shut down your laptop 
    • Make sure that you unplug your laptop, your internet modem, or router
    • Give it a little time. Wait for at least 10 to 30 seconds and then plug everything back
    • Even after this, if your problem with the Internet persists, you need to contact your internet service provider 

    Move Your Laptop Near to The Router or The Modem

    We talked about how if your laptop is far from the router, you can face issues of connecting your laptop to the Internet. This could be due to  walls or other hindrances between your laptop and your modem. 

    It is advised to move your laptop closer to the modem— within 10 to 15 feet. Once you have moved closer, try connecting to the Internet. You can always have that one spot with no or weak signals; you need to identify it and make sure you avoid that spot. 

    Connect to a Compatible Network

    Your Internet can have different frequencies, and you might be connecting to the wrong one that is not compatible with your laptop. If your laptop doesn’t connect to the Internet because of this reason, you should try connecting to different bands. Usually, your router has two bands labeled as 2.5 GHz and 5GHz. Both have different properties as the first provides better coverage and the other provides faster speed. Find the more compatible frequency and use that to make the internet work on your laptop. 

    It doesn’t have to be your laptop’s or modem’s problem— you can also encounter the Youtube Error 400, which is an internet problem. 

    Conclusion 

    There can be various reasons for your laptop not connecting to the Internet, like router issues, signal issues, or simply because your laptop is on airplane mode. If you open your browser to search for something and come across a no internet pop-up, you might get easily frustrated, and you might not know the reason as well. This article helps you understand various reasons behind your laptop not connecting to the Internet. Once you know the issue, you can use the suitable solution and make your laptop connect to the Internet. 

  • Here’s How To Play Spotify Without Internet Access

    Here’s How To Play Spotify Without Internet Access

    Are you in an environment that does not offer a Wifi connection, wondering how to play Spotify without internet access?

    Because Spotify needs to be online, streaming music off the app can eat away at your mobile data in a short period, so, what if we told you, there was a way to be able to access your playlists and podcasts while being offline!

    If you are not already a Premium subscriber to Spotify, you will need to upgrade your account to have the ability to sync your Spotify music to your device.

    To help you understand how to play Spotify without internet access, we have generated this simple guide for you to follow.

    Why can’t I play Spotify offline?

    how to play spotify without internet access
    Why can’t I play Spotify offline?

    You can’t play Spotify offline because you do not have a Premium subscription to the service, or you have not enabled the ‘Offline’ mode on your account.

    If you want to listen to your songs off your Spotify account while not being connected to the internet, you will need to upgrade to Spotify Premium.

    How do you upgrade to Spotify Premium?

    Step 1. Log into your Spotify account

    Step 2. Click on your Profile followed by ‘Account’

    Step 3. You will be given the option to select ‘Premium’

    Note, Spotify Premium costs roughly £8.00 per month, and it can be cancelled at any time.

    Being a Premium subscriber to Spotify, you get the added feature of ‘Offline Mode’, which allows you to sync your content to your device so can play them without being connected to the internet.

    How do you turn Offline Mode on Spotify?

    On mobile:

    Step 1. Launch Spotify and click on the ‘Home’ button

    Step 2. Select ‘Settings’

    Step 3. Press ‘Playback’

    Step 4. You can now put ‘Offline’ to on

    On Windows PC:

    Step 1. Click on ‘File’ 

    Step 2. Select ‘Offline Mode’

    On Mac PC:

    Step 1. Select the ‘Spotify’ button

    Step 2. Now choose ‘Offline Mode’

    You will now be able to stream your content without being online.

    Things to remember when using Offline Mode:

    • You need to download your album, playlists, or podcasts before you can access them offline
    • Individual songs cannot be downloaded
    • Your Spotify account can stay offline for a maximum of 30 days
    • If you do not go online every 30 days, Spotify will not keep your downloads
    • The maximum number of songs you can download per device (maximum is 5) is 10 000
    • Downloading songs require you to be connected to the internet
    • You are unable to search for songs on offline mode

    If you would like an in-depth article on how to download on Spotify, we have this guide for you.

    (Interesting fact: The reason why you need to go online every 30 days is so Spotify can count the number of plays per song to compensate the artists.)

    Why won’t my Spotify songs play offline?

    If you have Premium with offline mode enabled, but your songs are still not playing, this could be due to the following;

    • Your songs have not completed syncing
    • Storage space on your device is running low
    • You’ve reached the maximum download number
    • You haven’t logged out and back in after downloading playlists

    Tip; Delete your ‘Previously Listened’ to history as this seems to help your songs to download successfully.

    Can I listen to Spotify offline without premium?

     You can listen to Spotify offline by downloading your songs to your computer if you do not want to upgrade to their Premium version. 

    Spotify protects songs so that they can only be played through their app. The online streaming service does, however, offer a music downloader you can use.

    Step 1. Install UkeySoft Spotify Music Converter onto your computer

    Step 2. Once it has been installed, click ‘Run’

    Step 3. Copy the playlists and/or albums from Spotify into the converter app

    Step 4. Once you have added your chosen songs, select ‘Add’ at the bottom

    Step 5. To confirm the ‘Output’ settings, click on the ‘Options’ button

    Step 6. Now press ‘Convert’

    Once all the songs have been converted, they will be downloaded onto your computer.

    If you want to copy the songs onto your mobile device, you will need to connect your phone to your computer and move them across.

    Note, on iPhone, the music will need to be imported to the iTunes library followed by syncing the songs.

    What is the difference between Spotify Free and Premium

    how to play spotify without internet access
    Photo by David Pupaza on Unsplash

    Upgrading from the standard version to Premium is the solution to play Spotify without internet access, so what is the difference between the two, and is it worth it?

    Spotify Standard Spotify Premium
    No Ads ♥
    Download Music ♥
    Download Podcasts ♥ ♥
    Best Sound Quality ♥
    Available Abroad Only for 14 days ♥
    50 Million + Songs ♥ ♥
    Play Any Song On Mobile Selected playlists only ♥
    Unlimited Skips ♥
    Free  ♥
    Create Playlists ♥ ♥

    If you are an avid music listener, Spotify Premium is the better option.  The overall experience with a Premium account on Spotify exceeds its standard version.

    The Spotify library may be the same for both versions, but new releases are available sooner for Premium users.

    Spotify Premium is definitely worth the monthly subscription, its music even has more detail in the sound (320kbps streaming as opposed to 160kbps on Spotify Free).

    Conclusion

    Now that you know how to play Spotify without internet access, you can enjoy creating your playlists from browsing Spotify’s extensive library of 15 million tunes.

    As a Spotify Premium account holder, making sure you have music to listen to when you do not have internet access is just a click away.

    We hope our guide has covered all aspects of playing Spotify offline, however, if you would like further information on this matter, or to query anything else relating to your Spotify account, you can check out their Support Page as well as the Spotify Community page.

    You can also speak directly to one of their Customer Service team members by sending them a message.

  • Why Does Zoom Keeps Signing Me Out?: Stay Logged In

    Why Does Zoom Keeps Signing Me Out?: Stay Logged In

    Does Zoom keep signing you out every time you log into your account before you can join a meeting or host a conference call?

    This setback will occur if you log into your profile on more than one computer, or if you delete the Zoom cookies saved from your web browser.

    Signing out of Zoom on all platforms, and logging back in on only the necessary devices will prevent Zoom from kicking you out of your profile.

    This guide will expand more on why Zoom keeps signing you out, as well as provide you with a few easy solutions that will help stop you from experiencing this setback on your video communications app.

    Why does Zoom keep signing me out?

    Zoom keeps signing me out
    Why does Zoom keep logging me out?

    Zoom will keep signing you out if you are logged in to additional devices over and above the allowed threshold. This means you can be logged in to your profile on one computer, tablet and phone at any given time. If you access your Zoom account on a second device of the same platform, the application will automatically log you out. 

    If your Zoom account is logged in on only one device at a time, the app may be signing you out due to the following reasons;

    Reason 1. Zoom stay signed in is not enabled

    Zoom has a ‘Stay Signed In’ option that will keep your account logged in on your device for ninety days without needing to enter your login credentials to access your profile.

    If you did not select this option, Zoom will keep your account logged in for around two hours if you do not close the browser. Closing your browser will therefore log you out of your profile.

    Reason 2. Its been 30 days without activity

    If you do not access your account within thirty days, Zoom will automatically log you out of your account for security measures.

    Other users on Zoom will see your profile as ‘inactive’.

    Reason 3. Zoom browser cookies deleted

    You may have selected the option to ‘Keep Me Signed In’  so you do need to log in every time you access Zoom from the web.

    If, however, you have deleted all cookies from your web browser, it will erase your saved credentials, and you will need to re-enter your details.

    (Did you know; When the founder of Zoom (Eric Yuan) left his current company in 2011 because they rejected his idea of a video conferencing app that could be used on a mobile, he created a new company called ‘Saasbee Inc’ which then became ‘Zoom’ in 2012).

    How to keep signed in on Zoom

    Zoom keeps signing me out
    How to fix Zoom logging me out

    To stay signed in on Zoom, you will need to make sure you have not gone over the maximum number of devices that you can be signed in on at the same time. Each device is allowed only one logged in account. You will need to log out of any second device that you have tried to access your profile on.

    To make this clearer;

    • Only one computer, tablet/iPad and mobile device can be logged into your Zoom account simultaneously
    • Log out of the second device from the same platform (eg; you cannot have two mobile’s signed in to Zoom)

    This will ensure Zoom does not automatically log you out of one of your devices.

    If you are unsure of what devices you have logged in to your Zoom account on, you can complete the ‘Log out of all devices on the app.

    (Fix 1.) How to sign out of all devices on Zoom

    Step 1. Sign in to your Zoom account through your browser

    Step 2. Select ‘Profile’

    Step 3. Scroll down until you see ‘Sign Me Out From All Devices’ under ‘Linked Accounts’

    Step 4. Click this and confirm

    Zoom keeps signing me out

    You will now be able to log into your Zoom account on your necessary devices.

    Following on from this solution, if Zoom is still signing you out, you can try one of these simple fixes;

    Fix 2. Re-enable ‘Keep Me Signed In’

    You will need to re-enable the ‘Keep Me Signed In’ setting on Zoom if you have logged out of all devices, or your account was automatically signed out of.

    How to enable ‘Keep Me Signed in’ on Zoom:

    Step 1. Launch Zoom

    Step 2. Enter your verified email address and password

    Step 3. Before clicking ‘Sign In’, tick ‘Keep Me Signed In’

    screenshotYour Zoom profile should now stay logged in, even after you shut down the app.

    If you clear your Zoom cookies off your browser, you will need to complete this step to regain the data onto your device.

    Fix 3. Stay active on your Zoom account

    To prevent Zoom from logging you out of your account because of inactivity, make sure you access your profile within thirty days.

    This will show Zoom that you are using your account and do not need to expire your automatic sign-in option.

    How long does Zoom stay logged in?

    Your Zoom status will show you as ‘Active’ (a green symbol by your name) for as long as you are making use of the app. The default setting on Zoom is to change your activity status to ‘Away’ (an orange symbol) once you have been inactive for fifteen minutes.

    Zoom will keep you logged in while updating your ‘presence status’. You can change the amount of time you need to be idle before Zoom changes your profile to ‘Away’.

    How to change presence status in Zoom:

    Step 1. On the Zoom home screen, click on the ‘Settings’ icon

    Step 2. From the left side panel, select ‘Chat’

    Step 3. Under ‘Chat Settings’ you will be able to amend the time frame from the drop-down menu

    Screenshot

    Zoom will automatically update your changes.

    How do I fix Zoom sign in?

    If you are having trouble accessing your Zoom account because the app won’t log you in, you can execute the following tips to get you back into the online video communication service;

    • Sign in with the SSO option (Single Sign-On) if you have a business account
    • Log in on a different device
    • Check you do not have security settings blocking Zoom
    • Update the app
    • Reinstall Zoom

    You can also check the Zoom service status to see if there are issues with their server that may interfere with your device signing into your account.

    Conclusion

    With this guide, we hope you were able to stop Zoom from signing you out of your account, and that you now know what can cause this issue to transpire so you can avert it from occurring again in the near future.

    If you are concerned about the performance of your Zoom service, you can contact their Technical Support team by filling out a Web Ticket or by speaking to Zoom’s virtual chatbot, called ‘Bolt’. To chat to Bolt, you can click on the round message icon on their web page. 

    For any other queries that you think we will be able to assist you with, drop us a comment and we will be sure to look into it for you.

  • Why Is Upwork Not Loading Messages: Answers And Fix

    Why Is Upwork Not Loading Messages: Answers And Fix

    Is your Upwork not loading messages? Are you unable to contact your clients on Upwork? Sharing your samples and discussing projects is no longer possible as the messages page is taking forever to load?

    Upwork is one of the most popular platforms used by freelancers has a lot of traffic. Whether freelancers selling their skills or clients looking to hire skilled freelancers, there is always a flow going around. This is what makes Upwork one of the most popular freelancing platforms out there. 

    Although this platform is revered by many freelancers across the globe, it comes with its fair share of bugs and issues. If your Upwork is not loading messages, don’t worry! Keep reading to find out how to resolve this issue. But, before we get started, let’s find out why this is happening.

    Why is Upwork Messages Not Working?

    Why is Upwork Messages Not Working?

    Although sometimes, due to various reasons, users complain about being unable to view their messages, this might be chaotic when there is a deadline that needs to be met or an important thing that needs to be discussed with the client.

    Here are some quick fixes that could help:

    Clearing Cache

    When we use any browser, some of the information about the website is stored by the website. This is known as a cache. The more the information is saved by a browser, the more it slows down. One of the troubleshooting options in Upwork is to declutter this cache and then try reloading the messages. This often solves the loading issue.

    Do the following if you’re using Chrome:

    •  On the top right corner of the window, click on ‘More Tools’
    •  Click on the option “Clear Browsing Data”
    •  A window will open there, where you can select a time range. By clicking on ‘Clear All Time’, all data and the stored cache will be cleared.

    Try a Different Browser

    Web browsers play a vital role in delivering the quality of web pages and user experience. Sometimes a site that is taking too long to load on a browser because of too much data stored works better when a different browser is used. You can try incognito mode, Firefox, or Internet Explorer to view your Upwork messages. If the issue persists, then it might be more than just an issue of browser or cache.

    Network Issue

    Maybe the problem is the network. If your internet connection is slow or shared by a lot of people, then this might be what causes a delay in loading your Upwork messages.

    For this simply, try rebooting the internet, or in case of a shared network with multiple users, try putting off the load. This will decrease the loading time. Alternatively, upgrading your internet connection can also be a solution to your various loading issues.

    Disabling Antivirus

    Like popup blockers antivirus block cookies as well, Upwork’s cookies are being blocked this might be the reason why your Upwork not loading messages.

    • Open your antivirus panel
    •  Go to the configuration tab
    • Select the programs list
    • Check whether cookies from Upwork are enabled or not.

    If your Upwork messages are still not working, then it might be more than just a small issue.

    Messages on Upwork required a WebSocket technology. When trying to view messages, a loading sign is shown that even after hours are still there, then the issue might be related to the WebSocket. There is a chance that the connection between your system and Upwork’s WebSocket server may be disturbed. 

    Checking WebSocket Connectivity

    Use the same browser you have been using to view messages on Upwork. You have to ensure that your browser’s WebSocket connectivity is up to the mark to view messages. 

    If, even after testing connectivity, the issue persists, then check whether your WebSocket is blocked. In such a case, follow the following steps.

    • Visit the messages page on the browser
    • For PC: Press Ctrl+Shift+I
    • For Mac: Press CMD+Option+I
    • Or click View > Developer Tools > JavaScript Console and choose the Console tab.
    • Click Ctrl-Alt-D and wait for the tests to complete

    This will test your system’s WebSocket connectivity with Upwork’s system.

    How do I Fix This Upwork Messages Error?

    How do I Fix This Upwork Messages Error?

    If, after clearing cache testing WebSocket, the issue persists, then the authentication issue might be the reason why Upwork not loading messages.

    Upwork messages require browser cookies to be able to form a connection with your account. Whether your browser has blocked cookies or you did not allow cookies, then either you need to add Upwork to your trusted sites or can enable cookies you accidentally disabled to view your messages. You need to follow certain steps to enable cookies depending on the browser you use. 

    Why Can’t I Message Freelancers on Upwork?

    Facebook error saving photo

    On Upwork, you can not directly message a freelancer. If you want to interact with a freelancer, then you need to either post a job or invite a freelancer to a job. Only when they respond, then can you begin interacting.

    For the direct messaging option, you need to upgrade your account to Upwork Plus clients or Upwork Enterprise clients.

    Conclusion

    Hopefully, this guide proved to be helpful, and you were able to determine the reason for your “Upwork not loading messages” query. Usually, it’s either the internet connection, cache stored, or disabled cookies that lead to delay. In case you experience such viewing issues on any other platform like Telegram, then you can find a fix for that too on this platform.

    However, even after trying all the steps above yet you are still unable to access your Upwork messages. It is suggested that you should try contacting the Upwork support team directly.

     

  • Here’s Why Peacock Won’t Stream to Chromecast: Solutions

    Here’s Why Peacock Won’t Stream to Chromecast: Solutions

    Peacock TV is one of the few free streaming apps that provides access to stream NBCUniversal’s hit series and movies. You can stream Peacock TV on your mobile, tablet, desktop, and even on Smart TV. If you don’t want to go through the hassle of downloading the app on the TV, you can simply Chromecast it. But if you are unable to stream on TV and wondering why Peacock won’t stream to Chromecast then there can be a number of reasons for that. 

    One of the main drawbacks of Peacock is: it only operates in limited regions, so if your area doesn’t come under that umbrella, then this might be the reason why Peacock won’t stream to Chromecast.

    If you’re running into this error with your Peacock app then keep reading for a way to resolve this issue quickly. However, before we talk about that, let’s discuss some main reasons why you are encountering this issue. 

    Can I Get Peacock On Chromecast?

    How to retune a Thorn TV

    Peacock app is diverse like many other apps. You can stream Peacock via desktop, iOS, android mobiles, Smart TV, Fire TV, Chromecast, and many more.

    If you want to stream Peacock on TV via Chromecast, you first need to download the app on any android or iOS device. Once the app is downloaded, you can easily cast it to your preferred screen, TV, or desktop.

    How Do I Connect My Peacock To Chromecast?

    How Do I Connect My Peacock To Chromecast?

    Initially, the Peacock TV did not support Chromecast. But in the latest version, the option for Chromecast is now available, meaning you can now cast shows or movies on either TV or desktop with just a click.

    Suppose you wish to connect Peacock to Chromecast to stream your favorite shows and movies on TV or desktop. In that case, you can either cast it through your smartphone, tablet, and desktop since Peacock TV is also available on the web browser then, etc., or you can directly download the app.

    Casting Through Mobile/Tablet

    Step 1: Install the Peacock app on your Android or iOS device, whether a smartphone or tablet.

    Step 2: After installation, you need to log in your credentials

    Step 3: For casting, it is necessary that both the streaming device and the device you are using to cast from share the same Wi-Fi connection.

    Step 4: Play the content you want to stream and press the “Google cast icon”.

    Step 5: A popup will be displayed there. You can select the Chromecast you wish to stream on.

    Doing so will display the content on the streaming device.

    Alternatively, you can also Chromecast using the Peacock web browser instead of the app.

    Casting Through Desktop

    You can also Chromecast via the web browser

    To do this, do the following:

    Step 1: Open the Chrome browser.

    Step 2: Go to the official website and log in to your account.

    Step 3: After logging  find the content that you wish to cast

    Step 4: To cast, right-click on the screen, a cast menu will open

    Step 5: From the list, select your Chromecast device

    Step 6: A sources menu will open, select the ‘cast tab’ option

    Now, you can stream content from your desktop browser to your TV screen.

    Why Won’t Peacock Stream To Chromecast?

    Peacock black screen

     

    You have tried to Chromecast Peacock through the mobile app as well as with the web browser, but there does not seem to be any evident issue, then why Peacock won’t stream to Chromecast?

    To Chromecast, you need to either use the app or the official Peacock website. Aside from this, there can be several reasons that might be leading to Peacock not streaming on Chromecast the most common ones are mentioned below;

    Internet Connection

    If your internet connection is slow or the signals are weak, then this might be the reason why Peacock won’t stream to Chromecast. You need to make sure that your internet connection is stable. Additionally ensure that both the device, i.e., the one you wish to stream on and the device from which you are trying to cast from, are connected to the same internet connection.

    Recognition of device by The Chromecast

    While connecting the devices for Chromecasting, you need to make sure that Chromecast recognizes the device since older versions of TV do not support Chromecasting. Secondly, you need to connect your Chromecast device properly to the smart device. You cannot stream Peacock if Chromecast is not connected properly.

    Regional Limitation

    Another reason why Peacock won’t stream to Chromecast might be because you are trying to access it from a region that does not lie in the list of areas where Peacock is allowed to stream. Currently, Peacock is only available for citizens in the US, Ireland, UK. However, outsiders can access the website version by using VPN.

    Clearing Cache

    Cache build-up also slows down streaming. Consider deleting cache from both devices and restarting the devices.

    Updated Version

    Ensure that the Peacock app on your mobile or tablet is up to date to the latest version; otherwise, this can also be what might be the reason why Peacock won’t stream to Chromecast.

    Conclusion

    Peacock TV is an app that provides many features even in the free version, has become quite popular among streamers, especially those who like sports. Mainly, Chromecasting slows down because of weak internet connection, cache, using the outdated version, or trying to stream on a device that is not even compatible with the Peacock TV. Peacock doesn’t stream old TVs or those that do not support Chromecasting.

    Hopefully, this article addressed possible reasons and solutions. It might be a software issue if you still see a black screen when streaming. If the issue persists, you can try emailing customer support. They might be able to address your issue.

     

  •  How to Fix Roomba Error 17 Quickly: Easy Guide

     How to Fix Roomba Error 17 Quickly: Easy Guide

    Running into that pesky Roomba Error 17? No one likes coming back to a messy home. This is why many of us opt to buy robotic cleaners. However, what do you do when these automated cleaners stop working?

    A Roomba is a nifty robotic machine that moves around your home, brushing and vacuuming your floors, carpet, and rugs. Since the machine can spin around in different directions, the Roomba will clean any area it can squeeze into. 

    Although the machine makes life easy for many of its users, it can run into an error or two. Don’t worry—youre not alone. If you find yourself facing Roomba error 17, check out some of our tips below. However, before we get started, let’s talk about what the issue is and why it occurred. 

    What is a Roomba Error 17?

    what sis a roomba error 17

    Over the years, Roomba has come up with an extensive category of the different types of errors users can encounter. These error types are organized into different error codes. This brings us to the Roomba error 17. 

    This error indicates that your robotic cleaner is facing issues regarding its navigation systems. Once this error is detected, your Roomba will come to a halt. This is because it cannot calibrate what’s in front of it. This is a great built-in safety function as it stops your machine from functioning blindly and causing damage to itself or its surroundings. 

    Why Does My Roomba Keep Saying Error?

    roomba button

    Now that you know exactly what this error indicates let’s talk a little about why you might encounter this problem. This error takes place when the infrared sensors (IR) of your Roomba are dirty. Another reason for this is that your machine may be receiving interference from its surrounding. A Roomba error 17 can also occur if your IR sensors are damaged. 

    Moreover, software bugs can also result in error code 17. If your Roomba’s software input isn’t correct, it will assume that the sensors are malfunctioning. 

    How Do I Fix Error 17 on My Roomba?

    How do I fix Error 17 on my Roomba?

    There are a few things you can do to resolve your Roomba error 17. Check some of them out below: 

    Relocate Your Home Base

    According to some complaints, users found that they encountered this issue whenever the machine passed a really bright incandescent bulb they had turned on. 

    This reasoning makes sense as such bulbs emit strong IR waves and light. This can easily interrupt your Roomba’s IR sensor, which operates on a very specific type of infrared wave. 

    To solve this problem, try to relocate your Roomba’s home base to a room that doesn’t have a very strong light. 

    You can also schedule your cleaning during the day so that these bulbs do not cause a Roomba error 17. 

    Restart Your Roomba

    Restarts can help remedy all sorts of bush your machine may be facing. This includes error 17. Check out how to restart different models of the Roomba: 

    Restarting an iSeries Roomba: 

    • Press and hold down the Clean button for approximately 20 seconds. Then release this when the white light around the button begins to spin clockwise. 
    • Give your machine a couple of minutes to turn on. 
    • Remember that the restart is completed when the white light has turned off. 

    Restarting an s Series Roomba: 

    • Just like with the iSeries, press and hold the Clean button for 20 seconds. 
    • Do this until the white LED light begins to spin clockwise. 
    • Your Roomba will begin its restart in a couple of minutes. 
    • After this, once the white light is no longer turned on, you can be sure that the restart was successful. 

    Restarting a 700–900 series Roomba:  

    • Press and hold down the Clean button for approximately 10 seconds
    • Release the button once you hear a beep 
    • The Roomba will now reboot. 

    If you’re still experiencing a Roomba error 17, then the two other things left to do are reset your machine or change the IR sensors on your Roomba. 

    How Do I Hard Reset My Roomba?

    Can You Replace Roomba Battery?

    To be able to perform a hard reset, you need need to install a Roomba companion app from the app store. Keep in mind that conducting a hard reset on your device will erase all your data from the vacuum as well as the app and the Roomba cloud. 

    Here’s how you perform a hard reset on your Roomba: 

    •  Access your Roomba app. 
    • Navigate to Settings and then select Factory Reset. 

    How Do I Change the IR Sensor On My Roomba?

    roomba cleaning

    One of the leading causes for a Roomab error 17 is an issue with the IR sensors. There is a chance that the dust and grime from yoru floors, rugs, and carpets have covered the robot’s sensors and arent letting it identify its surroundings well.  You can fix this in two ways: clean the IR sensors or change them. 

    Clean your IR sensors: 

    •  Locate the plastic window and clean it with a microfiber cloth 
    • Flip the Roomba and clean the sensors underneath it as well
    • Make sure to clean all 6-8sensors. This depends on what model you have. 

    Replace Your IR sensors: 

    • Locate and press the bin. Pull this out. 
    • Flip your device over and remove the side brush. This can be done using a Phillips #2 screwdriver.
    • Unscrew the four backplate screws using a Phillips #2 screwdriver. 
    • Once you’ve unscrewed screws, lift the back plate of the device
    • You’ll see ten screws in the bottom of the front bumper. Remove these. 
    • Flip the device right side up and lift the bumper off. 
    • Remove the two screws that connect the sensor to the bumper and then pry the top cover open. 
    • Remove the sensors. 

    Conclusion

    We hope you found this guide helpful n resolving the Roomba error 17. We recommend starting off with the more straightforward steps like relocating your home base. Remember that a crucial part in resolving this error is to know which model youre dealing with. If youre still running into this issue, contact iRobot’s customer support services. 

  • Here’s Why Excel Keeps Changing Number To Date: Solutions

    Here’s Why Excel Keeps Changing Number To Date: Solutions

    If Excel keeps changing a number to date when you are trying to input data into a worksheet, you will need to know how to manually rectify this to have your information displayed on your worksheet.

    Have you checked what format your cells are currently set to? Configuring this to ‘Text’ will help stop Excel from automatically changing your number format.

    Microsoft Excel is also known to round up numbers, which can be resolved in a few simple steps.

    With this easy to follow guide, we will help you make sense of why Excel keeps changing the number to date, as well as touch base on Excel’s rounding and automatic formula calculations.

    Why does Excel keep changing my numbers to dates?

    excel keeps changing number to date
    Why does Excel keep changing my number format?

    Excel will keep changing numbers to dates because it is automatically programmed to make inputting dates as easy as possible to help improve the users experience Microsoft. Because this is an automatic feature, Excel can sometimes distinguish the data incorrectly, changing it to a date, or a number format of a date. 

    You cannot turn off a setting in Excel to stop the program from changing your number format, however, there are manual methods you can do that will prevent Excel from automatically changing your number data into a date.

     How do you stop Excel from changing numbers into dates?

    Excel keeps changing number to date
    Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

    You can stop Excel from changing your numbers into dates by formatting the collection of cells you are going to be using before you input your data. This is completed by changing the format of the worksheet to ‘Text’ instead of being set on ‘General’. This will force Excel to view the numbers you have inputted in the cell as letters. 

    (Method 1). How to change excel cells to text:

    Step 1. Open your Excel workbook

    Step 2. Highlight the cells you are going to be using and ‘right-click’

    Step 3. Click on ‘Format Cells’

    Step 4. Under the ‘Number’ category, change the category to ‘Text’

    excel keeps changing number to dateExcel will now keep your numbers in the same format as you entered them in.

    If you want to format your cells as you proceed on your worksheet, you can the following methods to ensure your data does not change its format once you have inputted it into a cell;

    Method 2. Excel apostrophe before the text

    Before entering your number into the Excel cell, you can insert an apostrophe first, followed by your data.

    This will look like: ‘12345.

    VLOOKUP and other formulas will still function with the apostrophe included in the cell.

    Tip, have you noticed if you have inputted a mobile number in a worksheet, the ‘0’ will disappear in the cell? Inserting the apostrophe before you type the cellphone number will stop Excel from getting rid of the zero.

    Excel space in the cell:

    Before you input your numbers, you can make a space with your spacebar. This is the same as if you were to use an apostrophe.

    These two methods are what you can utilise when you are using an Excel Workbook. We advise you to execute method 1 if you have a large amount of data that needs to be formatted, otherwise, method 2 is good to use.

    How to stop excel changing fractions to dates

    If you are using an Excel worksheet to work with fractions, Excel will keep changing them into date format. To stop this from happening, you can use methods 1 and 2.

    There is an additional method you can utilise when using fractions in Excel;

    Method 3. Insert a zero & space

    Similar to that of the apostrophe and space method, inputting a ‘0’ followed by a ‘space’ before you type your fraction will keep the data the same.

    This will look like; 0 1/2, and stop Excel from changing your fraction numbers to dates.

    Why are my numbers in Excel rounding?

    excel keeps changing number to date
    Why are my numbers rounding in Excel?

    Excel will automatically round your number if you have enabled the rounding function in Excel. Once this has been turned on, if your number has one, or a few decimal places, it will be rounded to the closest whole number. 

    If the Excel rounding feature has not been enabled, you will be experiencing this issue for the following reasons;

    Reason 1. Excel column width is too small

    If the width of your column on your worksheet is set too narrow for the length of your number, part of it will be cut off.

    The whole number will still appear in the top tab section, however, part of it will be hidden in the cell.

    Reason 2. Different Excel formats enabled

    Your Excel workbook can be set to a format that will only show a certain amount of digits in a cell. If this amount is smaller than the length of your number, it will only be able to display what fits into the format.

    Another format is if your cells are set to ‘General’. This is the automatic setting for each cell when you launch a new Excel workbook. This setting will stick to what the width of the individual cell is and show only what fits.

    How to stop Excel from rounding large numbers

    You can stop Excel from rounding your large numbers by executing the following solutions;

    Solution 1. Increase Excel cell size

    Increasing the cell size will allow Excel to display the full number without hiding any digits.

    The simplest way to do this is by double-clicking on the right sideline of the column you are currently using.

    Solution 2. Use the Excel decimal button

    Excel workbooks contain ‘Increase Decimal’ and ‘Decrease Decimal’ buttons that you can use to change how many decimal places are shown in a cell.

    If you click on the increase decimal button, the cell will bring back all the numbers that may have been rounded.

    Solution 3. Change Excel cell format

    Excel sheets are automatically set to ‘General’. Updating this to ‘Numbers’ will allow the cell to accept the number of digits.

    You can change this setting by going; Format Cells > Number Tab > Category > Number

    You will need to update the ‘Decimal Places’ setting to how many decimals you want to be shown in your cell.

    Quick Tip; you can access this setting quickly by clicking on the little arrow next to ‘Number’ that is positioned under the ‘Increase Decimal’ button.

    (Fun Fact; Excel assumes the year 1900 is a leap year. This comes from the date system Lotus 123 used that was copied over to Excel. Lotus was the spreadsheet program that was already in the market when Excel came about in 1985. The program was not successful, hence why Excel was then used for Mac users, followed by Windows in 1987).

    Why is Excel not automatically calculating formulas?

    Excel is not automatically calculating formulas because the ‘Calculation Options’ mode is set to manual and not automatic. If this is set to manual, you will need to go into each cell and complete the calculation. If it is set to automatic, Excel will do complete the formula for you.

    You can make sure the calculation option is set to automatic, by going;

    Formulas Tab > Calculation Options > Automatic

    excel keeps changing number to dateTo make sure your worksheet is configured correctly for formulas to be auto-filled, you can check the following;

    • The cell format is on number
    • There is no space between the equal sign and your formula in the cell

    You can also check that there is a formula in your cell by clicking on ‘Show Formulas’.

    Conclusion

    With this extensive guide, we hope you now know why Excel keeps changing the number to date, and that you were able to prevent this from happening again on your workbook.

    If you are still experiencing issues with Excel, there may be something wrong with your Microsoft program. You can make use of Microsoft’s Excel Help & Learning page. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, you can contact them directly by sending through a description of your issue via their Office Support online form.

    (Quiz Time; What program gave Excel the data for 1900 to be a leap year? Fill out our online contact form with your answer).