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Desktop: troubleshooting participant screen sharing issues
Desktop: troubleshooting participant screen sharing issues

Step-by-step instructions to help no-extension-required computer users with 'failed to share your entire screen' errors and other issues

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

🚀 Did you have to install an extension at the beginning of your session? Click to read this article for help.

Are you stuck at the ‘How to share entire screen’ step while trying to join a research session?

Click a link below for help:


Nothing happens when I click the 'Share' button (any computer)

Chrome's screen sharing popup with the "Share" button inactive

Follow these steps to fix the problem:

  1. In the 'Choose what to share' popup window, select the tab that reads 'Entire Screen'

  2. Select the window that shows everything on your desktop computer. Even if there is only one window available, you need to click it to activate the ‘Share’ button

  3. Click the blue ‘Share’ button

Illustrates 3-step solution to activate the "Share" button in Chrome's screen share popup

You should be able to continue from here. If you are a Mac user and you see a Failed to share your entire screen alert after clicking the blue 'Share' button, jump to these instructions.

'Failed to share your screen due to insufficient permissions' error (Apple/Mac computers)

Apple (Mac) computer owners might see this message because the browser needs special permissions 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 Settings (it may also be called System Preferences if you're on an older macOS)

2. In the search field, type 'screen record' (it should come up under "privacy" or "privacy and security" - if you have trouble finding it, consult this Apple support article for your specific version of macOS)

3. Select 'Allow applications to record your screen' in the left-hand panel

If Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Brave (whichever browser you are using) is already in the list of applications on the right...

4. Click the toggle to ‘on’. It will turn blue


5. Follow instructions to Quit & Reopen

6. Re-follow the link already shared with you

Even if Chrome, Edge, or Brave 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 your browser)

If Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Brave (whichever browser you are using) is not in the list of applications...

7. Click the plus (+) button in the right-hand panel


8. Scroll through your list of applications and select your browser


9. Click the Open button

10. Follow 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.

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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