Troubleshooting
This page covers the first things to check when ExtraBrain is not behaving the way you expect.
The app launches but does not respond well
Section titled “The app launches but does not respond well”- Restart the app.
- Confirm on-device AI is available if you selected a local model, or confirm your provider subscription, account, or API key is present and valid.
- Confirm your network connection is healthy enough to reach any external model providers you configured.
- Run a short test session with a minimal prompt.
- Switch to the simplest tested provider or local model if you are close to a live call.
Transcription quality is poor
Section titled “Transcription quality is poor”- Check microphone selection.
- Reduce background noise when possible.
- Rehearse with the same headphones and room you plan to use live.
- Confirm whether you are using local NVIDIA Parakeet transcription or optional Deepgram.
- Try a short rehearsal with slower speech and a known script so you can separate microphone issues from model behavior.
The wrong provider seems to be answering
Section titled “The wrong provider seems to be answering”- Re-open settings and verify the selected local model or provider.
- Confirm the model choice for the current workflow.
- Remove stale or invalid credentials and save again.
- Check whether the current workflow is using on-device AI, OpenAI, Anthropic, Claude, Codex, a custom-compatible endpoint, or another configured provider mode.
On-device AI is not available
Section titled “On-device AI is not available”- Confirm the Mac has compatible hardware for local AI.
- Switch to a configured external provider if the current hardware cannot run on-device AI.
- Keep a tested backup option ready before high-stakes sessions.
You are close to an interview and something still feels unstable
Section titled “You are close to an interview and something still feels unstable”Use the safest fallback:
- switch to the local model or provider that worked during your last rehearsal
- simplify the prompt set
- reduce your workflow to the smallest dependable setup
Still blocked?
Section titled “Still blocked?”Review:
Common troubleshooting questions
Section titled “Common troubleshooting questions”Why is on-device AI unavailable?
Section titled “Why is on-device AI unavailable?”On-device AI requires compatible hardware and may not be available on every Mac or customer environment. Use a configured external provider as a fallback when local AI is not available.
Why is transcription not useful enough?
Section titled “Why is transcription not useful enough?”Check microphone selection, room noise, headset behavior, transcription mode, and whether you are using local Parakeet or optional Deepgram. Run a short test with predictable speech before a real session.
What should I do minutes before an interview?
Section titled “What should I do minutes before an interview?”Use the simplest setup that worked in your last rehearsal. Avoid changing providers, prompts, permissions, or transcription mode right before a high-stakes call unless the current setup is unusable.