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Desktop: troubleshooting participant screen sharing issues - Chrome Extension
Desktop: troubleshooting participant screen sharing issues - Chrome Extension

Step-by-step instructions to help Chrome participants recover from 'screen sharing failed' and other screen sharing issues

Russ Troester avatar
Written by Russ Troester
Updated over a week ago

🚀 If you did not have to install the Chrome extension prior to starting your session, please click here to read this article for help with screen sharing using the extension-free beta.

Are you a Chrome browser user stuck at the ‘Share your screen’ step of joining a research session?

There are three possible reasons you've run into trouble. Click a link below to skip to the relevant instructions:

I got a 'Screen sharing failed' message after clicking the [Share] button

Apple (Mac) computer owners might see this message because the Chrome browser needs special permissions from your Mac to allow screen sharing:

Follow these steps to fix the problem:

1. Mouse to the upper left-hand corner of your screen and click the Apple icon to open System Preferences

2. Click the Security & Privacy icon

3. Scroll down to Screen Recording in the left-hand panel

4. Click the lock icon, and enter your password when prompted

If Google Chrome.app is already in the list of applications ...

5. Tick the selection box to add a blue check mark next to it

Even if Chrome/Edge is already listed and checked, you may need to uncheck it and recheck it in Security & Privacy settings (each time you make a change, it will likely prompt you to restart Chrome/Edge)

6. Continue with Step 10 below

If Google Chrome.app is not in the list of applications ...

7. Click the plus (+) button

8. Scroll through your list of applications and select Google Chrome.app

9. Click the Open button

10. Follow the instructions to Quit & Reopen

11. Re-follow the link already shared with you

You will need to go through some of the steps you completed earlier, but this time you should be able to successfully share your screen and start your session.


I got a 'Screen sharing failed' message after clicking the [Cancel] button

If you repeatedly clicked the [Cancel] button at this step, you might have triggered a Screen sharing failed message:

Why am I asked to share my screen?

Sharing your screen can be a key part of participating in a research session. If you’re not comfortable with this step, please contact the person who’s asked you to participate.

Follow these steps to recover from canceling:

  1. Quit (exit) Chrome completely

  2. Re-open Chrome and follow the link already shared with you

  3. Complete all steps until you reach the Share your entire screen window

  4. Click to select a screen to share

    • even if there is only one screen available, you need to click it to activate the Share button

  5. Click the Share button

From here, your session should start.

  • If you are a Mac user and you see Screen sharing failed again, you very likely have a permissions issue with your computer. Follow these steps above to allow screen sharing


The [Share] button doesn't work / is greyed out, help!

It’s understandable if you’ve reached this screen and simply don’t know how to continue. The Chrome browser requires that you actively click a screen to share – even if there is only one screen available – before the Share button will work.

  1. Select a screen to share (even if there is only one screen available, you will need to click it)

  2. Click the Share button

From here, your session should start.

  • If you are a Mac user and you see Screen sharing failed message, you very likely have a permissions issue with your computer. Follow these steps above to allow screen sharing

Related:


If you're still having trouble, start a conversation with us using the blue chat bubble in the lower right hand corner of your screen.

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