Microsoft Copilot is an AI-powered assistant that can answer questions, create AI-generated content, and help you be more productive. Previously only available on Windows 11 and via Bing, you can now use Copilot on Android and iPhone.

Below, we’ll explain how you can install Microsoft Copilot on your Android or iOS device.

How to Install and Use Microsoft Copilot on Android or iPhone

To get started with Microsoft Copilot, you first need to download it from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Once installed, here’s how to use Microsoft Copilot on your mobile device:

1. Open the Microsoft Copilot app, accept the terms and conditions, and grant the app any required permissions. It may ask for location and microphone permissions, so that it can listen to your questions and give you accurate, location-based recommendations.

2. On the main screen, toggle on Use GPT-4 to ensure that you’re using the latest version of OpenAI’s ChatGPT that’s available.

3. You can ask a question or give Copilot a task to perform by typing or speaking. For voice input, simply tap the microphone icon and begin speaking. If you’d rather type, press the keyboard icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.

4. If a topic has concluded, or the chatbot is getting off-topic, you can start a new one by pressing the New Topic icon in the bottom-left corner. This will reset the context of the conversation, ensuring that previous queries don’t interfere with new ones.

Note: To generate images using Microsoft Copilot, you’ll need to sign in to your Microsoft account. To do so, tap Sign In in the top-left corner of the app.

What Can You Do With Copilot?

Copilot is powered by OpenAI’s latest AI models, GPT-4 and DALL-E 3, meaning you’re able to access these powerful tools without having to sign up for them. Some of the things you’re able to do with Copilot for Android or iPhone include:

• Generating text: Copilot can generate many types of text. For example, you can ask it to write you a poem, reply to an email, or create a list of the top 10 songs of 2010.

• Creating AI images: If you’re signed into your Microsoft account, Copilot can use the DALL-E 3 free image generator to create images based on your prompts.
• Writing code: Copilot can create code or scan existing code for errors.
• Answering questions: Copilot can answer many questions, tell you a joke, offer advice, and summarize web pages for easier reading.

• Identifying places and images: You can ask Copilot to identify a picture of a plant or famous location and it will attempt to do so. Keep in mind that while this feature is impressive, it isn’t fully accurate, so don’t put your complete trust in the results.

Get More Done With AI

AI tools continue to dominate the headlines as they get more and more powerful. With Copilot for Android and iPhone, you now have direct access to DALL-E 3 and ChatGPT 4 on your phone to help you get more done in less time directly from your smartphone.

The post How to Use Microsoft Copilot on Android and iPhone first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

It’s frustrating when you try to do something on your mobile phone, but the screen keeps turning off. Luckily, Android has made it possible to extend the screen timeout setting so that your screen stays on for longer periods of time.

In this tutorial, we’ll explain how to keep your phone from turning off too soon.

1. Change the Phone’s Display Settings

Just like Apple iOS provides a way to disable auto-lock and keep your iPhone screen on longer, Android also provides an easy way to ensure your phone screen doesn’t turn off.

Here’s how to change your Android phone’s screen timeout duration from the settings menu:

1. Open Settings and select Display. In some phones, this is Display & Brightness.

2. Scroll down and tap Screen timeout.

3. Choose the duration you would like. The longest time you can choose is 10 minutes, which should be plenty.

On some models, you may have to navigate to Settings > Lock Screen > Sleep and choose Never.

Note: Some Android devices provide a Never option, ensuring that your phone screen will never automatically turn off. However, other Android models including Samsung smartphones do not provide this option.

2. Use the Android Developer Options

Developer Options is a menu of hidden settings that lets Android users use USB debugging and make advanced changes to their phones. One of these settings is called “Stay Awake,” which prevents your screen from turning off while the phone is connected to a charging cable.

Here’s how to set your Android phone to “Stay Awake” mode:

1. Open the Settings app and tap About Phone.

2. Tap Software information.

3. Tap on the area around Build Number seven times, then enter your PIN code or password. This will enable Developer Options from the main settings menu.

4. Go back to Settings and select Developer options.

5. Toggle on Stay Awake. This will ensure your screen never turns off while connected to a charger cable.

Note: If you change your mind and want to make it so your phone turns off its screen again, you can simply revert to default settings.

3. Use Android’s Advanced Features

Some Android smartphones, including some Samsung Galaxy models, have advanced motion and gesture settings. One of these settings makes sure your phone screen stays on while you’re looking at it.

To enable this setting:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select Advanced features.

3. Choose Motion and Gestures.

4. Toggle on Keep screen on while viewing.

4. Use Third-Party Apps

There are dozens of third-party apps on the Google Play Store that promise to make your phone have an always on display. One of the most reputable of these apps is called Caffeine – Keep Screen On. To download Caffeine:

1. Open the Google Play Store and search for “Caffeine.”
2. Select Caffeine and press Install.

3. Wait for the app to download and install.
4. Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to enter the Quick Settings menu.
5. Tap the Plus sign.

6. Drag the Caffeine icon into the Quick Settings menu.

7. Now, whenever you want your phone screen to stay on, simply swipe down to access the notification panel, then enable Caffeine.

Endless Screen Time

Keep in mind that while constantly having your phone screen turn off is annoying, it does help preserve your battery life, even on low power mode and low brightness settings. If you change it so your phone keeps your home screen on, don’t forget to turn it off via the power button to preserve your battery.

The post How to Stop Your Android Phone Screen Turning Off first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

In this article, we’ll explain how to fix Roblox Error Code 262.

1. Reboot Your Device and Perform These Quick Fixes

The Roblox error 262 is a common error that’s often caused by temporary glitches. Here are some quick fixes that can help resolve these bugs and get Roblox working again:

1. Close your Roblox app and restart the game
2. Reboot your device
3. Log in and out of your Roblox account
4. Update Roblox
5. Clear your web browser cache
6. Try playing Roblox on a different device, like an Android or iOS device
7. Switch the Roblox client to either the Roblox Player (via the Microsoft Store) or the Roblox website
8. Disable your VPN to prevent IP address changes from logging you out

2. Check the Roblox Server Status

Double-check that the Roblox servers are up and running. If they’re down for maintenance (or are experiencing technical difficulties), you may receive the 262 error code. In this case, all you can do is wait for them to go live again.

To check whether the Roblox game servers are experiencing downtime, head to the Roblox status page. If everything’s working as expected, it should say, “All Systems Operational.”

3. Check (and Troubleshoot) Your Network Connection

Another likely cause of the 262 error code is a problem with your network or internet connection. Below, we’ll list some of the major connection issues that are easy to fix. For more possible fixes, check out our in-depth internet troubleshooting guide.

1. Verify that your device is connected to the internet. Try to open a website in your web browser. If it doesn’t load, your internet might be down. Contact your internet service provider (ISP) to find out what’s going on.

4. Whitelist Roblox in the Microsoft Defender Firewall

If you play on your Windows PC, make sure Microsoft Defender hasn’t blacklisted Roblox. To check this:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Select Update & Security.

3. Select Windows Security then press Firewall & network protection.

4. Select Allow an app through firewall.

5. Scroll down and make sure the Roblox checkboxes are ticked. If it isn’t in the list, select Allow another app… then locate and select the Roblox executable file.

Note: If you use third-party antivirus software, this may also cause Roblox issues. Refer to your antivirus provider’s instructions to find out how to whitelist Roblox.

5. Disable Mods and Browser Extensions

Roblox doesn’t allow users to use custom mods to alter their gameplay experience. If you use mods, they may be causing the Roblox error code as the game prevents you from playing with them. Worse yet, your account might be suspended temporarily or terminated if you continue to use them.

Similarly, there are several browser extensions that can help improve certain aspects of Roblox games. However, they might cause compatibility issues with Roblox, causing the 262 error code (especially if you’ve recently updated Roblox).

To prevent mods or browser extensions from disrupting your Roblox sessions, we recommend uninstalling them entirely.

6. Reinstall Roblox

If nothing else has worked, we recommend reinstalling your Roblox app. This should replace any corrupt files and ensure that you’re using the latest version of Roblox.

To uninstall Roblox on Windows:

1. Press the Start key and search for “Add or remove programs.”
2. Select Add or remove programs from the list.
3. Scroll down, find Roblox, and select Uninstall.

4. Head to the Roblox website and download the Roblox client.

5. Double-click the installer in your downloads folder, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

To reinstall Roblox on Apple iOS:

1. Tap and hold the Roblox app and press Remove App.
2. Open the App Store, search for Roblox, and tap Download.

To reinstall Roblox on Android:

1. Tap and hold the Roblox app, then press Uninstall.
2. Open the Google Play Store, search for Roblox, and tap Download.

Play Roblox in Peace

Constantly disconnecting in the middle of a game is one of the most frustrating experiences a gamer can have. Hopefully, this article has helped you fix this painful Roblox error so that you can play in peace.

However, if this error continues to plague you, your final resort is to contact the Roblox Support team. They should be able to determine exactly what’s going wrong and get you back in the game in no time.

The post How to Fix Roblox Error Code 262 first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

In this guide, we’ll explain why your Hulu subtitles are out of sync and how to fix this frustrating glitch.

Why Are Hulu Subtitles Out of Sync?

Over the last year, there’s been a widely reported subtitle issue where Hulu’s closed captions don’t sync with the video. This glitch doesn’t seem to be limited to a single streaming device either, with users reporting the problem on the Hulu app and website alike.

According to Hulu, if you’re experiencing the Hulu captions synchronization error, it’s because of a glitch that occurs when first loading the video. However, many users report that the glitch occurs frequently, indicating that it’s a more significant issue.

How to Fix Hulu Subtitles Out of Sync

Here are a few solutions that might fix the Hulu sync issue and improve your viewing experience. We’ve started with the simplest fixes, so start at the top and work your way down to the more complicated solutions.

1. Restart Hulu (and Your Streaming Device)

The first step, if you haven’t already tried it, is to restart Hulu and the device you’re using to stream TV shows. Often, a simple restart is enough to clear temporary glitches and get things working again.

If the issue persists after you reset the app, try loading a different video. The sync problem might be linked to the specific video that you’ve been trying to watch. In that case, you’ll likely have to wait for the Hulu team to fix it manually.

Note: Some users report being able to fix this issue by refreshing their web browser until the subtitles are in sync again. While it’s a clunky workaround, it might help fix your problem when you really need the subtitles to be synchronized.

2. Disable Closed Captions and Re-Enable Them

Hulu recommends disabling your closed captions and then enabling them again.

To disable subtitles on the Hulu app:

1. Press the Up button or swipe up twice to access the settings menu.
2. Select Off under Subtitles & Captions, then select On.

To disable subtitles on an Android or iPhone:

1. Tap the Gear icon to open the subtitle settings menu.
2. Under Subtitles & Captions, select Off then On.

3. Tap the X icon to save this setting.

To disable subtitles on Hulu.com:

1. Select the Settings icon to access the subtitle options.
2. Press Subtitles & Audio.
3. Choose a subtitle language, then press Off.

4. Select On.

Note: It may also be worth playing around with your device’s accessibility settings. These may be overriding the Hulu app in a way that interferes with the subtitles.

3. Check Your Internet Connection

Hulu claims that the subtitle synchronization issue is caused by a glitch when a user first loads the video. It’s possible that a poor internet connection can cause the video to load at a different speed than the subtitles, resulting in them becoming de-synchronized.

To find out whether your network is to blame, we recommend running a speed test. Hulu recommends at least 3 Mbps download speed for general movies, 8 Mbps for live TV, and 16 Mbps for 4K content. If your internet isn’t achieving these speeds, try reducing the video quality or troubleshooting your internet connection.

4. Switch to Another Streaming Device

Your streaming device may be the cause of Hulu’s out-of-sync subtitles. To check whether or not this is the case, try loading the same video on a different device. For example, if you usually use a Roku to stream Hulu, try loading the video on your smart TV or mobile device instead. If the subtitles are only out of sync on one device, you’ve found the problem.

5. Clear the Cache

Occasionally, cached files can become corrupted and cause issues with playback on the Hulu app or website. To fix these issues, you should clear the cache on your app or web browser.

To clear the Hulu cache on an Android:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Select Apps and locate Hulu.
3. Tap Storage & cache and select Clear cache.

To clear the Hulu cache on an iPhone:

1. Open your device’s Settings app and select General > iPhone storage.
2. Find the Hulu app and press Offload.

To clear your web browser’s cache, open the Settings menu, find History or Browsing data, and select Clear. Here’s how to clear the cache on every popular web browser.

5. Log Off and Sign In Again

Some users report that logging off and back in again helps reset Hulu’s closed captions. The process for logging out will depend on your streaming device, but it should be pretty simple. From the app’s home screen or the website, select the Settings menu, then select Log out. Then, restart the app or website and sign back in.

6. The “Skip Ahead” Workaround

If nothing else has worked, the “skip ahead” workaround might resolve your subtitle problem. This is a quick fix that seems to help some (but not all) users get their subtitles working properly:

1. Start playback on your movie. Note where you are in the movie then skip ahead to a random part.
2. Close the video and return to the show selection screen.
3. Resume the same movie, then return the playback to the original starting point.

In Sync Once Again

If none of these solutions are able to fix your synchronization problem, we recommend contacting Hulu support. While Hulu doesn’t seem to know exactly how to fix the subtitle sync issue, they might be able to point you in the right direction. And, the more people that report the issue, the more likely that they’ll put the effort in to fix it.

The post Hulu Subtitles Out of Sync? Top 6 Ways to Fix first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

In this tutorial, we’ll explain how to factory reset your Google Home Mini or Google Nest Mini.

Why Should You Factory Reset Your Google Home?

A factory reset deletes all the data on your Google Home device, restoring it to default settings. If you’ve forgotten your password or your device is playing up, a factory reset can get it working correctly with minimal effort.

We also recommend performing a factory reset before selling or throwing out your Google Home Mini. As with other digital devices, your Google Home stores your personal information. A factory reset will remove this information and protect your privacy if it ends up in someone else’s hands.

Remember that after a factory reset, you’ll need to sign back into your Google account, connect your Google Home to your Wi-Fi network, and reconnect any Bluetooth devices you connected earlier.

How to Factory Reset Google Home Mini

To reset your Google Home Mini (1st gen):

1. Turn your Home Mini upside-down and find the Factory Reset Button at the base of the power cord.

2. Press and hold the button for around 15 seconds. After 5 seconds, the device will begin its factory reset. After another 10 seconds, you’ll hear a sound to confirm that the factory reset is in progress.

How to Factory Reset Google Nest Mini

To reset your Google Nest Mini speaker (2nd gen):

1. Find the microphone mute button on the side of your device. The lights on top should turn orange, indicating the microphone is off.

2. Press and hold the button in the center of your Nest Mini, where the lights are.

3. After 5 seconds, the factory reset process will begin. After another 10 seconds, you’ll hear a confirmation chime indicating that the device will reboot.

Note: You can only reset Google Home devices via the factory reset button. It’s impossible to perform a reset through the Google Home app.

How to Factory Reset Other Google Home Devices

There are a handful of other Google Home speakers that you might want to reset. These include the Google Home Max, Google Nest Hub, Google Nest Audio, and Google Nest Hub Max.

To revert these devices to factory settings, you need to switch the microphone off, then press and hold the factory reset button for 15 seconds, as shown above. The Nest Hub is the only device that’s slightly different. To reset the Google Nest speakers, press and hold both volume buttons together for 10 seconds.

The factory reset button is found either on the back of the device or on top of the speaker where the LED lights are housed.

Smart Home, Happy Home

Smart home devices like Google Home and Amazon Alexa are becoming far more common and advanced. You can control other compatible devices using Google Assistant by connecting these Google Home gadgets to your Wi-Fi network.

The post How to Reset Google Home or Nest Mini first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

In this article, we’ll explain the 10 best fixes to get your Fire TV Stick running like normal again.

Why Your Fire TV Stick Is Freezing or Buffering

There are several potential reasons your Fire Stick has issues, including:

1. A bad internet connection. If your Wi-Fi signal isn’t sufficient, or your home network is experiencing issues (like too many devices being connected), your device will struggle to stream movies. You need at least 5 Mbps to stream full HD video from the internet — so make sure it’s up to speed.
2. Streaming service problems. If your network connection is fine, the fault might lie with your streaming service. The service might be down for maintenance, or their servers might be congested due to unexpected surges in web traffic. You can determine whether this is the case by heading to a site like Down Detector.
3. Hardware issues. If neither your network nor streaming service are to blame, your Fire TV Stick itself might be causing the problems. For example, you may have too many apps running, or your Fire TV Stick might require a new update. Likewise, you may have a faulty power adapter or HDMI cord.

It’s worth trying to narrow down the problem from these common reasons so that you know how to fix it. Below, we’ll cover 10 fixes for Fire TV devices, starting with the simplest, most likely solutions.

How to Fix Slow Fire TV Devices

Usually, getting your Fire TV Stick working again is fairly easy — here’s what to do:

1. Restart Your Fire TV Stick

Press and hold the Select and Play/Pause buttons for five seconds, and your Fire TV Stick should reboot. Once it does, check to see whether or not it’s working properly.

2. Check Your Cables

Make sure you’re using the correct power adapter and HDMI cable provided by Amazon. These will ensure the best performance from your Fire TV Stick. Also, double-check that both cables are connected properly, and there’s no fraying or damage.

3. Check (and Fix) Your Internet Connection

If your internet is causing your Fire TV Stick to slow down, it should be an easy fix.

1. First, restart your router by unplugging it from its power source and then plug it back in. This will ensure that everything’s working properly.
2. Next, check that you’re getting the required speeds by heading to Speed Test by Ookla and pressing Go. If you have slow internet, check out our complete guide on troubleshooting internet connectivity problems. If your internet speeds are fine, it might be your Wi-Fi connection at fault.

3. To troubleshoot the Wi-Fi connection, you need to find out your signal strength. From the Fire TV Stick home screen, select Settings, then Network. Choose your Wi-Fi network then check the signal strength. Ideally, it should be Good or Very Good. If the Wi-Fi signal is poor, try moving your device closer to the router or connecting your Fire TV Stick with an ethernet adapter. If all else fails, check out our complete Wi-Fi troubleshooting guide.

Note: Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) might throttle your internet connection during peak hours. If this is the case, you might experience buffering during that time. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do about this, but wait.

4. Turn Off Your VPN

Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can negatively affect your internet speeds. Streaming services also often prevent users from accessing their networks using a VPN. If you use a VPN, either of these things could be causing your Fire TV device to play up.

Try turning your VPN off and see if the problem goes away. If it does, you might need to consider turning it off every time you stream, or you may need to give another VPN a go.

5. Clear Data and Cache

When you use the Fire TV Stick a lot, it accumulates temporary files in its cache. Occasionally, something goes wrong and one of these files becomes corrupted, causing the device to slow down significantly. To avoid this and make your Fire TV Stick speed up, you just need a clear cache.

Here’s how to clear your cache:

1. Press and hold the Home button on the Fire TV Stick remote to go to the home screen.
2. Open Settings.

3. Select Applications.

4. Choose Manage Installed Applications.
5. Select the app you want to clear the cache for, then select Clear data and Clear cache.

6. Choose Confirm.
7. Repeat for each app installed on your device.

6. Force Stop Background Apps

If you leave several processes and apps running in the background of your Fire TV Stick, they may be causing it to freeze and buffer more. To fix this, simply close the apps you aren’t using:

1. Select Settings.
2. Go to Applications then Manage Installed Applications.
3. Here, you’ll see all the apps that are currently running. Select the app and choose Force Stop to stop it from running in the background.

7. Uninstall Unused Apps

If you have installed apps on your Fire TV Stick that you no longer use, we recommend uninstalling them. This will help clear up storage space on your Fire TV Stick and ensure that it’s running as smoothly as possible. Usually, uninstalling old apps is the best way to prevent your Fire TV Stick from overheating.

To do so:

1. Select Settings.
2. Go to Applications then Manage Installed Applications.
3. Here, you’ll see all of your installed apps. Select the app and choose Uninstall. Wait for the process to complete, then repeat for all other apps you want to remove.

8. Update Your Fire OS to the Latest Version

If you’ve had your Fire TV Stick for a while, there’s a chance that it needs a software or firmware update. Often, these updates include patches that fix common glitches and performance issues, as well as security patches that can protect your device from malware.

To update your Fire TV Stick:

1. Press Settings.
2. Choose My Fire TV.

3. Select About.
4. Select Install Update if one is available.

Note: You should also make sure your streaming apps are updated. Your Fire TV Stick should do this by default, but just in case, head to Settings > Applications > App Store. Ensure Automatic Updates is toggled on, then reboot your Fire TV Stick.

9. Turn Off Data Monitoring (and Other Settings)

The Fire TV Stick’s data monitoring feature helps to ensure that you don’t exceed your data allowance. However, to collect app usage data, your Fire TV Stick must use a small amount of system resources. This can cause Fire TV Stick devices to slow down even more.

To turn off data monitoring:

1. Press Settings.
2. Choose Preferences.

3. Select Data monitoring and make sure it’s toggled off.

Note: There are several features that you can disable which might help speed your Fire TV Stick up. Try disabling Collect App Usage Data, Access Prime Photos, Share Your GameCircle Nickname, and App Notifications within the settings menu.

10. Factory Reset Your Fire TV Stick

If nothing else has worked, your last resort is to perform a factory reset. This will return your Fire TV Stick to default settings, remove all of the apps you’ve installed, and hopefully, fix whatever issue was causing your slow Fire TV Stick to lag.

To factory reset your Fire TV Stick:

1. Open Settings.
2. Press My Fire TV.
3. Choose Reset to Factory Defaults.

4. Press Reset to confirm your decision.

Improve the Streaming Experience

The Amazon Fire TV Stick has become incredibly popular over the last few years, but it isn’t free from issues. Hopefully, the troubleshooting tweaks provided in this article helped speed up your Fire TV Stick’s performance and get it streaming your favorite movies and TV shows once again.

The post Is Your Fire TV Slow? Here Are 10 Ways to Speed It Up first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

But if you’ve lost your Samsung TV remote, don’t worry — it’s still possible to control your Samsung TV without it. This guide will explain how to turn on a Samsung TV without a remote.

How to Turn On a Samsung TV Without Remote

There are two easy ways to turn your Samsung smart TV on: change channels and access your TV’s menus without a Samsung remote. Below, we’ll explain how to use these methods to start your TV without a controller.

1. Use the Samsung TV Control Button

According to Samsung, every single Samsung television has a TV control button that allows you to turn it on, access the TV settings, change the volume and input source, and access the Smart Hub. The only differences between Samsung TV models are where this control button is located and whether it’s a single-button or five-button arrangement.

It should be found in one of the three following locations:

1. At the back of the TV: Check the back of your TV in the bottom-right corner. There should be a small, square section with a control stick poking out of it. Press and hold the center button (the power button) to turn on your Samsung TV without a remote. Single press the middle button again to make the settings appear on your TV screen. Then, change channels and navigate the Samsung TV menus using the control stick.

2. Under the front panel, in the middle of the TV: Some Samsung TVs have the TV Controller button in the middle of the front bezel, along the bottom of the screen. As above, long-press the power button to turn on the TV, then use the channel and volume buttons to control the TV.

3. Under the front panel, at the side of the TV: If there’s no physical button in the center of your TV’s front panel, it may be on the left or right-hand side. Check these locations, then control the TV as described above.

Pro tip: Look for the red light on the front bezel of your Samsung TV — this should be where your control button is located. If you can’t find the control panel, no matter how hard you look, consult the user manual; it will explain where to find it and how to use it.

2. Use the SmartThings App

Samsung provides a remote app for iPhone and Android that lets you use your mobile device as a TV remote. The only problem is that to use the SmartThings app to turn your TV on, you’ll need to have set it up previously. If you haven’t, you can still use the Samsung control button (as shown above) to connect the TV to your app for future use.

Here’s how to use the SmartThings app to turn your TV on:

1. Open the SmartThings app and tap your TV device card.
2. Press TV on/off.
3. Select Content search, Remote, Apps, or Search to control your Samsung TV and access the channel you want to watch.

If you haven’t set up the SmartThings app, here’s how to do so:

1. Download the SmartThings app. If you’re using Android, download it from the Google Play Store. If you’re using an iOS device, try the Apple App Store.
2. Open the SmartThings app on your mobile phone.
3. Press the + symbol, then select Add device.

4. Select Add under Samsung device.

5. Tap TV.

6. Choose Start, then select the location.

7. Tap Next.
8. Wait for the app to connect to your Samsung TV. If your Samsung TV is from before 2020, you must use a PIN code to validate the connection.

Note: Your Samsung TV will need to be connected to your home Wi-Fi network for the SmartThings app to connect.

One Remote to Control Them All

The good thing about setting your phone up as a TV remote control is that you’ll no longer require that unholy stack of remotes. Instead, you can use your phone as a universal remote and control everything simultaneously.

However, you can always order a replacement remote if this doesn’t cut it for you!

The post How to Turn on a Samsung TV Without Remote first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

TikTok is one of the most popular apps for both Android and iOS users, but there are several reasons why you might want to add it to your blocked items list. In this article, we’ll explain how to block TikTok on Android devices.

How to Block TikTok Using Android’s Digital Wellbeing Settings

Android offers a suite of Digital Wellbeing settings that help TikTok users manage their device and app usage. To block TikTok:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Select Digital Wellbeing and parental controls.

3. Under Focus Mode, select Work time.

4. Choose a Duration and press Start. For that entire duration, you’ll be unable to open TikTok. However, you can easily unblock TikTok by turning off the Focus Mode.

You can also limit TikTok’s screen time limits to zero minutes in order to block the social media app completely:

1. Under Digital Wellbeing and parental controls, select TikTok from the apps list.
2. Select App timer.

3. Enter the value “0” for both hours and minutes, then press OK.

How to Block TikTok Using Parental Controls

The easiest way to block the TikTok app on Android is by using the parental control settings found within the Google Play Store app. To block TikTok:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner of the app store.
3. Scroll down and select Settings.

4. Tap Family.

5. Select Parental Control.

6. Toggle on the Parental Controls, then create a 4-digit PIN code to enable these controls.

7. Re-enter the passcode and tap OK.

8. Select Apps & games.

9. Choose the level of protection you want, then press Save.

Note: This will prevent your children from downloading the TikTok app, but if it’s already installed, they’ll still have access — so don’t forget to uninstall the app first!

How to Block TikTok Via Your Router

It’s possible to block TikTok via your router’s administration settings. By doing so, you’ll prevent any device connected to your Wi-Fi from accessing the TikTok app or website. However, if the device is capable of using a mobile internet network, you’ll be able to bypass the block by turning off Wi-Fi.

To block TikTok from your router:

1. Log into the administration page for your router. To do so, enter the router’s IP address into your web browser’s search bar and press Enter. The IP address should be 192.168.1.1, 192.168.1.0, or something similar.
2. Locate the Parental Controls settings. Most routers will have some form of content-blocking settings, that’s usually called “Parental Controls”, “URL Filtering”, “Blocking”, or similar.

3. Select Blacklist, then add your keywords or URLs that you want to block. Add words like “tiktok” and “tiktok.com.”

4. Press Save and make sure the settings are toggled on. Your Android phone and other devices on your home network will now be completely unable to load the TikTok website or app.

Note: Some routers will also let you set up a window of time where you can still access the app. This is useful if you just want to limit your screen time and not block the app entirely.

How to Block TikTok With a Third-Party App

There are several third-party apps and parental control apps that will help you block websites and limit access to apps like TikTok. These apps all work very similarly, preventing you from accessing TikTok and other specific apps when you’re not supposed to (or don’t want to).

Here are three free app blockers to choose from:

1. Google Family Link. Family Link lets you set up parental control features to block apps. To use it, navigate to Digital Wellbeing and parental controls, then select Parental Controls. Press Get Started to set up an account and block TikTok.

2. Stay Focused: Site/App Blocker. Stay Focused is a freemium app that lets you block apps and websites and limit your online activity on the Android operating system. Simply install the Stay Focused app and add TikTok to the blocklist.
3. Block Apps & Sites | Wellbeing. Block Apps & Sites is another third-party freemium app that lets you add installed apps to a blocklist on your child’s phone or your own mobile device. To use it, install the app then locate TikTok and select Block Now.

How to Limit Screen Time on TikTok

TikTok comes with a built-in screen time limiting feature that helps users cut down on how much time they spend on the app. This can be a useful feature for maintaining your own productivity, as well as for cutting down how much time your kids use the app.

To use the Screen Time feature:

1. Open the TikTok app.
2. Press your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.

3. Select the hamburger icon, then tap Settings and privacy.

4. Tap Screen Time.

5. Choose Daily screen time.
6. Tap Set daily screen time and follow the on-screen instructions to set the time limits you’d like.

TikTok also offers a restricted mode that can prevent your child from accessing inappropriate content, while still allowing them to use the app:

1. Open the TikTok app.
2. Press your profile picture in the bottom-right corner.
3. Select Settings and privacy.
4. Tap Content preferences.

5. Tap Restricted Mode.

6. Select Turn On.

Note: It’s also possible to block TikTok and limit screen time on Apple devices including iPhones and iPads.

Save Time, Stay Off TikTok

These days, it’s so easy to get distracted, open your phone, and start watching short-form videos on social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat. The time-wasting content is so addictive that it’s hard to turn it off. Worse, social media makes it too easy for children to experience cyberbullying and witness inappropriate content.

Sometimes, the only thing to do is block the app. Hopefully, with the help of this article, you can easily add blocklists, lock your TikTok account, and regain your freedom.

The post How to Block TikTok on Android Devices first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

This troubleshooting guide will explain how to fix Hulu error code P-DEV318.

What Causes the Hulu Error Code P-DEV318?

The error P-DEV318 code means something is wrong with your connection to the Hulu servers, preventing playback. This could be caused by:

1. A glitch in your streaming device
2. A problem with your internet connection
3. The Hulu servers are down temporarily

How to Fix Hulu Error Code P-DEV318

Here are four ways to fix the frustrating P-DEV318 error code:

1. Check If Hulu Is Down

The first thing to do is check if the Hulu servers are up and running. Hulu doesn’t have its status page, so open DownDetector and check there. Alternatively, you can check Hulu Support on Twitter for any status updates.

If either of these sources indicates that Hulu’s servers are experiencing issues, your best bet is to wait for a while and then try again. In the meantime, you can always check out the TV shows on some of the other streaming services like Disney Plus.

2. Troubleshoot Connectivity Issues

If the Hulu servers are running correctly, then the problem likely lies with your network connection. If your internet is having issues, you’ll need to run through some internet troubleshooting steps to find out what’s wrong:

1. Check your internet speed: Open Speed Test on your web browser and press Run. If the website doesn’t load, your internet is down. If it does, make sure your internet speeds are as expected. Remember that you need a download bandwidth of at least 3 Mbps to watch Hulu on the lowest settings.

2. Restart your router and modem: Unplug it from the power source, wait for a minute, then turn it back on again and wait for it to boot up. Once it does, ensure your device connects to the internet (via Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable), then try loading up Hulu again. If it doesn’t connect to the internet, you’ll have to contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and find out what’s going wrong.

3. Ensure you don’t have a Virtual Private Network (VPN) enabled: VPNs can cause problems accessing Hulu content (and other streaming services) because they spoof your location.

3. Troubleshoot Your Streaming Device

If the Hulu servers and your internet connection are working fine, there’s probably something wrong with your streaming device. Here’s how to find out:

1. Try using a different device: There might be something wrong with your device that’s preventing it from connecting to the Hulu servers.
2. Restart your streaming device: How to reboot your device will depend on what it is. To restart an Android device, press and hold the Volume down and Side buttons simultaneously. Press and hold the Power and Volume Up buttons to reboot an iPhone. If you use something else, like an Xbox One game console, Apple TV, Fire TV, or a smart TV with a Chromecast, press the Power button, wait a few seconds, and then turn the device back on.

4. Troubleshoot the Hulu App

The next thing to troubleshoot is the app itself. If your connection and device aren’t causing the issue, it might be a problem with the app’s cache data, or the app may be an older version that’s no longer supported. Here’s what to do:

1. Clear the Hulu app cache (on Android): If you use a smartphone to watch Hulu, the app’s cache may have become corrupted. To clear the cache on Android, open the Settings menu, then select Apps > Hulu. Next, tap Storage and choose Clear Cache and Clear Data.

2. Update the Hulu app: To find out if updates for your Hulu app are available, load up the app store (Google Play Store on Android and the App Store on iOS devices) and search for the Hulu app. If there’s an update, it’ll say “Update.” If there isn’t, it’ll say “Open.”
3. Reinstall the Hulu app: If nothing else fixes the error code P-DEV318, your final resort is to uninstall and reinstall the Hulu app. To uninstall the app on your smartphone, press and hold the app icon until the option appears. Then, reinstall it from the app store. On other devices, you must head to the device’s settings, find the Hulu app, and select uninstall. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions to learn how to use your device.

Stream Your Favorite Content

Hopefully, this article has helped you get Hulu up and running again. However, if you’re still experiencing issues, the only thing left to do is contact the Hulu support team via their website.

The post How to Fix Hulu Error Code P-DEV318 first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

In this troubleshooting article, we’ll explain how to restart a Samsung TV, then we’ll provide a few extra device care tips to get it running better than ever.

How to Restart a Samsung TV

There are a few ways to restart Samsung TVs, including:

• Press the power button on the Samsung TV remote control: Press the power button, then wait for the TV to turn off. Press the power button again to reboot it. If the TV isn’t responding, press and hold the power button for a few seconds. This will cause it to cold boot.

• Press the power button on the Samsung TV: Find the external power button on the TV itself. It’s usually along the bezel, somewhere near the front right-hand corner of the screen. Once your TV turns off, wait a few seconds then turn it back on.
• Unplug the power adapter: If your TV won’t reboot via the power button, try power cycling the device. Because most TVs enter standby mode when turned off, a soft reset can be more effective. Try unplugging the TV’s power cord. Press and hold the power button and wait for 30 seconds to discharge any residual electricity. Then, boot the TV back up again.

Note: If you’re having other issues, like a blurry or fuzzy TV screen, or a black screen, a simple restart might not solve the issue. Instead, you might have to do some more in-depth troubleshooting via Samsung’s Expert Settings menu.

How to Factory Reset Samsung TVs

If restarting your TV doesn’t fix the problem, you can try performing a hard reset. This will erase all of your smart TV data, delete anything you’ve installed in the Smart Hub, and revert the TV’s software and firmware to factory default settings. Here’s how to perform a factory reset:

1. Press the Home button on your Samsung remote.
2. Choose the TV Settings menu (or press the Menu button).
3. Select Support > Self Diagnosis (depending on the TV model, the following settings might also be found in System, General & Privacy, or General).
4. Choose the Reset option, then enter the 4-digit PIN. The default PIN code is 0000.

5. Choose Yes, then wait for the TV to reset to factory settings.

Note: Before resorting to a factory reset, you could try running a Self Diagnosis on your TV to determine what’s going wrong. To do so, press Settings, select Support, and press Self Diagnosis. You could also try performing a software update, or press reset Smart Hub to clear your TV app cache.

Contact Samsung Customer Support

If all else fails, try contacting Samsung’s Customer Support team. They might be able to help you run through the user manual and determine exactly what’s going wrong with your TV. If your TV is broken, they might be able to help you get a replacement on warranty.

The post How to Restart Samsung Smart TV first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

In this troubleshooting guide, we’ll explain what causes this glitch and how to fix Samsung Email not showing images.

How to Fix Samsung Email Not Showing Pictures

There are a few reasons that could explain why your Samsung Email app isn’t showing images, including:

1. Using incorrect app settings
2. Experiencing temporary bugs
3. Using an outdated version of the app

Here are 3 things you can do to fix this problem on your Samsung device.

1. Update the Samsung Email App

In 2022, Samsung released an update to the email app that removed the “Show Images” button from individual emails. This meant that to display images, you needed to enable Show Images on all emails by default.

However, later in the year, Samsung released another update that brought back the “Show Images” button. So, if you aren’t seeing the option in your email app, it might be because you’re using an older version of the app.

To check this:

1. Open the Google Play Store.
2. Search for and select Samsung Email.

3. Tap Update (if it’s available).
4. Check if you can show email images.

Note: It’s also worth checking whether your Samsung phone needs an update. Make sure you’re connected to a Wi-Fi internet connection, then open the Settings app and tap on Software updates. If there are any new updates available, download and install them.

2. Restart the App and Clear the Cache

This glitch might be caused by a temporary bug in your Android phone. To fix this, you can try clearing the Samsung Email app’s cache and then restarting the app.

1. Swipe up from the bottom of your home screen and close all of your currently open apps.
2. Open the Settings app.
3. Select Apps.

4. Find and tap Samsung Email.

5. Select Storage.

6. Tap Clear Cache.

7. Open Samsung Email and see if the option has reappeared within an email message.

3. Enable Show Images in Samsung Email

If the first two fixes don’t help, there’s an easy workaround. You can enable the “Show Images” setting by default. To do so:

1. Open the Samsung Email application on your Android device, then sign in to your email account.
2. Tap the menu icon at the top-left corner of the screen.

3. Press the Settings icon.

4. Choose your email account.

5. Scroll down and make sure to toggle on Show Images.

Note: Turning on images by default is a security risk as they’re commonly used by spammers and marketers to collect information on you. For example, if you have view images always enabled, it’s easy to tell whether you’ve opened the email. This informs scammers that your email address is monitored which means they’re more likely to send you more scam and phishing attempts.

Images Still Aren’t Showing?

If nothing has worked, we recommend using a different email client on your Samsung Galaxy, like the Gmail app. While it can be frustrating to set up your email account on another app, it will solve the headache of having to deal with the “Show Images” glitch every time you receive an email notification.

The post Samsung Email Not Showing Images? Try These 3 Fixes Now first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

In this troubleshooting guide, we’ll explain why the mobile data is not working on your Samsung phone and cover 12 ways to get it working again.

Why Is Mobile Data Not Working on My Samsung?

There are multiple things that could cause your mobile data to stop working on an Android. Mobile data might suddenly stop working on your Samsung phone for many reasons, including:

• Accidentally turning on Airplane Mode or turning off mobile data.
• Incorrect network settings after switching to a new mobile carrier.
• A broken or deactivated SIM card.
• Temporary issues with your carrier’s mobile network.
• Increased mobile data usage causing you to cap your cellular data on your plan.

How to Fix Mobile Data on a Samsung

Here are 12 things you can do to get your mobile data working once again. We’ve listed these in order of ease, so we recommend starting at your top and working your way down.

1. Check That Mobile Data Is Enabled

Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to open the Quick Settings menu. Here, find the mobile data icon — it looks like an up and down arrow next to each other. Make sure this is turned on. If it isn’t, you’ve found your mobile data problem.

2. Turn Flight Mode On and Off

Swipe down from the top of your screen and double-check whether Airplane Mode or Flight Mode is enabled. If it is, that’s why you have no internet — simply tap the Airplane Mode option to turn it back on.

If not, try toggling it on for 30 seconds then turn it off again. Sometimes, this can fix temporary glitches that have arisen in your Samsung device.

3. Check for Outages

It’s possible that your cellular carrier is experiencing network problems. Perhaps the entire network is down for maintenance, and that’s why you can’t access the internet.

To check whether this is the case, call your carrier and ask if there are any problems in your area. Alternatively, you can check social media or head to a website like Down Detector and search for your carrier.

Note: If you’re on a trip, or you’re in a new location, it’s worth checking that you’re still in range of your provider’s network coverage. It’s possible that you’re out of range, and that’s the reason you have no internet.

4. Turn Off Your Wi-Fi

While Wi-Fi is usually faster than your mobile network, it can cause problems if the Wi-Fi network is playing up or if you’ve got a poor connection. In these cases, your phone might be struggling to get Wi-Fi reception when it would have better results using the cellular network.

To check whether this is the case, swipe down from the top of your screen and toggle off Wi-Fi. Then, try to load a website using your web browser. If this doesn’t help, there’s likely another reason why your mobile data is so slow.

5. Restart Your Samsung Phone

Restarting your phone is the best way to clear the cache and get rid of temporary bugs. To do so, press and hold the Side Button and Volume Down Button for a few seconds. If you have an older Android device, you might need to press and hold the Power Button, instead.

When the power menu appears, select Restart. Wait for your phone to reboot, then check whether the internet is working correctly.

6. Update Your Operating System

Android updates often contain bug fixes and patches that improve the functionality of your Samsung device. It’s possible that you haven’t updated your device in a while, and that’s causing your mobile data issues.

To update your Samsung’s operating system, connect to a Wi-Fi network, then open the Settings app. Tap Software update (this may appear at the top of your Settings menu, depending on your device). Choose to install the latest software and wait for the process to complete.

7. Check Your Mobile Plan

Head to your service provider’s website and check your account. Make sure that there are no coverage warnings or notifications letting you know that something has happened to your account.

While you’re there, double-check that you still have a mobile plan. If you pay month by month, you might’ve reached the end of your current plan without realizing it. In this case, you can fix your mobile data issues by paying for a new monthly plan.

Finally, make sure that you haven’t reached your mobile data limit. If you’ve been more active online lately, you might’ve accidentally capped your data plan. If so, you’ll have to purchase a data add-on for this month.

8. Switch Between 5G and 4G

If you have the latest Samsung Galaxy phone and you’re connected to the 5G network, check whether manually switching to 4G helps resolve your internet issues. Switching to an older internet connection like the 4G LTE network can help because the 5G coverage area is still far smaller in most places around the world.

To do so:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap Connections.

3. Tap Mobile Networks > Network Mode.

4. Tap any option that doesn’t contain 5G in the title. This will give you more options while you’re moving around.

9. Reinsert Your SIM Card (Or Try a New One)

It’s possible that your SIM card is to blame for your network issues. Using a safety pin (or the metal pin that came with your Samsung phone), eject your SIM card. Check it for any damage or dust, then carefully reinsert it. Make sure it’s the right way up and firmly in place.

If your internet still doesn’t work, you could try inserting a different SIM card. Try a friend’s card, or purchase a cheap card to test. If you can connect to the mobile network with this other SIM, then your SIM card is at fault. If not, there might be something wrong with your phone.

10. Reset Your Samsung’s Network Settings

Resetting your phone’s network settings will remove all of your internet-related information, including Wi-Fi passwords, network login information, VPN settings, and Bluetooth connections. However, it might help resolve your internet problems, too.

To reset your network settings:

1. Tap Settings.
2. Select General management.

3. Choose Reset.

4. Tap Reset network settings > Reset settings, then confirm your choice.

Note: After resetting your network settings, you might need to reconfigure several of them, including Wi-Fi names and passwords, Bluetooth settings, and more.

11. Change Your Access Point Name (APN)

If you’ve recently changed cell carrier to a different company, you might need to configure your APN. Keep in mind that changing APN settings can cause more problems with network connectivity, so note down your current settings before changing them — that way, you can revert them if something goes wrong.

To change APN settings on your Samsung:

1. Open Settings > Mobile Networks.
2. Select Access Point Names.

3. Tap Add, then add all of the information that your carrier has provided. If you aren’t sure what to add, call your network provider’s customer support line and they’ll walk you through what information to add to these fields.

4. Save your new APN, then go back to the Access Point Names menu and select your new APN from the list.

Note: If you have only recently tried to connect to a new network, it’s possible that you need to unlock your phone before it’ll work. Each network carrier has its own policies regarding unlocking phones, so you’ll have to contact them directly to find out whether your phone is eligible.

12. Factory Reset Your Samsung Device

If nothing else has worked, your last resort is to factory reset your device. This will remove all data stored on your phone’s hard drive, and it will revert all of your settings to default. It will be like a brand-new phone. Unfortunately, this means you’ll need to back up your data, then add it back to your phone and reinstall your apps after the factory reset.

To factory reset your phone:

1. Open Settings.
2. Select General management.
3. Choose Reset.
4. Select Factory Data Reset.

5. Scroll down and select Reset, then choose Delete all.

6. Wait for the process to complete. Once it’s done, set your phone up once again and check your data connection.

Stay Connected

There’s nothing worse than when internet problems pop up and you can’t work out why. If you’re still having trouble connecting to the internet, your best bet is to call your service provider and have them run you through some more troubleshooting steps. And don’t forget that you can use a Wi-Fi connection or hotspot to access the internet in the meantime!

The post Mobile Data Not Working on Your Samsung Phone? Try These 12 Fixes first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

However, some users have reported that Chrome reverts back to the default theme whenever they restart the app. In this tutorial, we’ll explain why the Google Chrome theme keeps changing and how to fix it.

Why Does My Chrome Theme Keep Changing?

When you add a new theme to Chrome, it’ll change the appearance of your toolbar, bookmarks bar, and background image. The problem is, Chrome seems to automatically change themes and color schemes to match the background image — so if it changes, the whole theme changes.

Worse yet, there seems to be a few variations of this glitch, including:

1. The theme changes as soon as you add a new background image on the New Tab page. Usually, the color scheme changes to match the new image.
2. The theme reverts to default when you restart the Chrome browser.
3. The theme resets to default when you restart your device.

Unfortunately, as of the time of writing this article, there’s been no official response from Google as to why this glitch is occurring or how to fix it.

However, the likely cause is a setting called “Customize Chrome color extraction.” This setting seems to make your homepage color scheme change according to whichever theme you download from the Chrome Web Store.

Another potential reason is that your Chrome settings on different devices are conflicting with each other. Your Chrome theme syncs between Windows, iOS, Mac, and Android devices if they’re logged into the same Google Account. Syncing issues may cause problems with your theme, causing it to revert to default.

How to Stop Google Chrome’s Theme From Changing Automatically

So far, there seem to be three ways to fix the Chrome color-shifting glitch:

1. Check Chrome’s Customization Settings

Google Chrome’s customizations let you add different themes and custom colors. But, if you leave its settings on default, it will automatically shift these depending on your background images and other changes. To fix this:

1. Open Google Chrome and select Customize Chrome in the bottom-right corner of the sidebar.

2. Select Reset to Classic Chrome.

2. Disable Chrome Flags

Google Chrome’s Flags offer users a way to enable and disable certain Chrome features that don’t show up in the settings menu. There are two Chrome Flags which appear to make the Chrome theme change automatically. To fix this:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Type “chrome://flags” into the search bar and press Enter.
3. Find Customize Chrome color extraction and change its value to “Disabled.”

4. If that doesn’t fix the issue, search for Dynamic color gamut and change the value from “Default” to “Disabled.” Depending on your version of Chrome, this option may not be available.

3. Reinstall Your Theme

If you’re still having issues, you can try to uninstall and reinstall the theme via the Google Web Store:

1. Open Chrome.
2. Select the three vertical dots in the top-right corner, then select Settings from the pop-up menu.

3. Choose Appearance.

4. Under “Theme”, select Reset to default.

5. Press Open Web Store, locate the theme, and select Add to Chrome.

Choose a New Chrome Theme? Why Not

Google Chrome offers a wide range of light and dark themes, plugins, and even a dedicated Dark Mode so that you can make your browsing experience as seamless as possible. Hopefully, this troubleshooting article has helped you resolve all of your Chrome theme issues, and you can go back to browsing in peace.

The post Google Chrome Theme Keeps Changing? 3 Fixes to Try first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

Below, we’ll explain what to do if Roblox VC stops working, including the fixes that will most likely get voice chat working again.

1. Check These Quick Fixes

Usually, the spatial voice chat feature stops working for a straightforward reason. Before we get to the in-depth troubleshooting tips, check these quick fixes:

1. Reboot your PC. Random glitches can cause your microphone output to stop working. To fix this, try restarting Roblox and your computer.
2. Reconnect your audio device. If you use an external microphone, headset, or webcam to chat in-game, try disconnecting and reconnecting it. This can fix unexpected bugs and get Roblox to recognize your device.
3. Unplug other audio devices. If you’re using more than one microphone (for example, you have a webcam and a microphone), try unplugging those that aren’t in use. This helps ensure that your PC is trying to use the correct device.
4. Close other apps. Close any other voice chat apps like Discord, Microsoft Teams, or Skype that might interfere with your microphone. To do so, right-click their icon in the Icon Tray and select Quit.

5. Make sure the Roblox experience supports voice. Not all Roblox games and experiences support voice chat. Double-check whether it’s supported on the one you’re trying to play before blaming the problem on your audio device.
6. Check that voice chat is enabled in Roblox. Open Roblox on your device, whether a PC, Xbox, Android, or iPhone. Select the Gear icon at the top-right corner of the screen (near your Roblox account icon) and select Settings from the drop-down menu. Open the Privacy tab and make sure Use microphone to chat with voice is toggled on.

7. Verify your age. Roblox only lets users who are over 13 use the voice chat feature. If your reported age in-game is less than 14, you’ll be unable to use voice chat.

2. Make Sure Your Audio Device Works

If the voice chat suddenly stops working, it may be an issue with your audio device. To check whether or not this is the case on a Windows PC, do the following:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
2. Select System > Sound.
3. Choose your audio input device.
4. Talk into your microphone and watch the volume levels under “Test your microphone.” You may need to select Test under the input settings.

If you see recorded volume, your microphone is working correctly. If not, there might be something wrong. You can troubleshoot device issues further by using it with another device, like your phone or laptop. If it also doesn’t work on those devices, you might need a new microphone.

To check on Xbox, load up a different game or start a Party. Try to use your mic. If no one can hear you or your profile icon doesn’t light up when you speak, something’s up with your microphone.

To check on Android, try recording yourself using the camera app. If you can’t hear any sound, your microphone may be disabled or broken.

3. Set Audio Device As Default Input Device

Occasionally, Windows sets a different device as your default input, meaning it’s trying to capture audio in the wrong place. To fix this, you can set your device as the default input device in Windows audio settings:

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings page.
2. Select System > Sound.
3. Select Sound Control Panel at the top-right of the window.

4. In the Recording tab, right-click your audio device and select Set as Default Device. You can do the same for your output device by selecting the Playback tab.

4. Check the Roblox Settings

Another potential reason your microphone isn’t working is that you have incorrect game settings in Roblox itself. To check this:

1. Open Roblox and launch the experience you want to play.
2. Select the Discover icon at the top left of the screen.

3. Choose Settings.

4. Ensure your device is correctly listed beside Input Device and Output Device.

5. Double-check that the Volume setting is high enough — you can increase it by pressing the Plus icon.
6. Leave the settings menu and look at your character. If you see a crossed-out microphone over your head, you’ve been muted. Click this icon once to unmute yourself.

5. Reinstall Roblox

If nothing else works, try reinstalling the Roblox client. This might remove whatever bug is causing your microphone to not work in online games.

To reinstall Roblox on Windows:

1. Open the Start Menu, type “Add or remove programs,” and select the top answer.
2. Find and select Roblox in the list of apps. Select Uninstall.

3. Open the Roblox website and download the Roblox launcher.
4. Double-click the installer and complete the wizard to reinstall Roblox. Alternatively, you can download Roblox via the Microsoft Store.

To reinstall Roblox on a mobile device:

1. Press and hold the Roblox app and select Uninstall or Remove, depending on your device.
2. Download Roblox from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

Note: The final resort is to contact the Roblox support team and see if they can help fix your issue. To report the problem to Roblox, head to their customer support page.

Get Back to Real Time Game Chats

One of the main things that draws gamers to Roblox is the social aspect. If your microphone suddenly stops working, you’ll need to type everything you say — and that takes all the fun out of real-time gameplay. Hopefully, this article has helped you fix Roblox voice chat so you can chat freely again.

The post Roblox Voice Chat Not Working? 5 Fixes to Try first appeared on Online Tech Tips.

Below, we’ll explain exactly how you can cancel an ESPN subscription.

How to Cancel Your ESPN Subscription

The easiest way to cancel your ESPN Plus subscription is via the ESPN website:

1. Open a web browser on your PC, Android, or iPhone, and go to https://secure.web.plus.espn.com/billing/subscription.
2. Sign in to your ESPN account.
3. Select Log In.
4. Locate your ESPN subscription, then tap or click Manage.

5. Select Cancel Subscription and confirm your decision.

Note: ESPN+ doesn’t provide refunds for partially used billing cycles. If you cancel halfway through a billing period, you’ll still have access to the ESPN+ subscription until the end of that period.

How to Cancel ESPN Plus on an Android

If you use an Android device, you can also cancel ESPN+ through the Google Play Store app. To cancel ESPN this way:

1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. Select your profile icon.

3. Tap Payments and subscriptions.

4. Tap Subscriptions (this will be called My subscriptions on the Google website).

5. Choose your ESPN+ subscription.
6. Tap Cancel subscription and confirm your decision.

How to Cancel ESPN Plus on an iPhone

If you signed up for ESPN on an iOS device like an iPhone or iPad (and you get billed via the App Store), you can cancel your subscription in the same way:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap your name (near your Apple ID) at the top of the menu.

3. Select iTunes & App Store.
4. Choose Subscriptions.
5. Tap ESPN Plus and select Cancel subscription.

How to Cancel ESPN Plus with Roku

If you pay for ESPN through Roku, you can cancel your subscription via the Roku website:

1. Open the Roku website and head to your account page.
2. Select Manage your subscriptions.
3. Find ESPN Plus and select unsubscribe.

How to Cancel ESPN Over the Phone

If you don’t have access to the internet, or you paid for your subscription service through a third party like Roku or the Apple App Store, you can cancel your streaming subscription over the phone.

Simply call the ESPN customer support team at 1(800) 727-1800. They’ll explain how to cancel your subscription service.

Save Money on Streaming Services

With a range of streaming services, including Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu, there’s no lack of options. It depends on whether you want to watch sports events like the UFC, documentaries, movies, or TV shows. But the smart thing to do is only pay for the services you’ll use and cut down on the rest.

The post How to Cancel Your ESPN+ Subscription first appeared on Online Tech Tips.