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Can I use a tablet or mobile phone for lessons?
Unfortunately, MyTutor isn’t currently compatible with mobile phones. However, it does work with tablets.
- If you’re using an iPad, the Safari browser works best.
- If you're using an Android tablet, please make sure that you’re running Android 7.0 (Nougat) or later.
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Which internet browser should I use?
We recommend using Google Chrome as your browser, but we also support Safari and Firefox. If you’re using an iPad, please launch your lessons using Safari.
If you’re having any problems, try logging into MyTutor using an Incognito or Private browsing window, as this tends to help the connection in the lesson space.
Lastly, please don’t use Microsoft Edge (Edge 18) or Internet Explorer, as unfortunately these don’t work with MyTutor.
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What Operating System should I be using?
The operating system is the software that your computer runs on.
For Windows computers, Windows 10 is the best version for running MyTutor, but we recommend you check your software regularly to ensure it’s up to date. To check this, go to Settings > Update & Security.
For Mac computers, macOS 11 Big Sur is the best version for running MyTutor, but we recommend you check your software regularly to ensure it’s up to date. To check this, go to System Preferences > Software Update
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What hardware should I use?
You don’t need a lot of hardware for your MyTutor lessons, but for the best possible experience, we recommend:
- Using a wired (USB) microphone headset, for high-quality audio.
- Avoiding Apple earphones and Bluetooth devices (like AirPods), as these may create echoes or mean you can’t hear your tutor properly.
- Using any webcam you’ve got handy! Normally your device will already have a default camera built in. Your tutor should always have their webcam switched on too, so you can see them.
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Do I need a strong internet connection?
MyTutor lessons run online, and sessions will go more smoothly if you have a strong internet connection.
- If you’re using WiFi, we recommend being as close to the router as possible and minimising physical obstacles.
- Network congestion (for example, if someone is streaming Netflix in another room) can sometimes be a problem, so it’s best if as few other devices as possible are using the network while your lessons are happening.
- We don’t recommend using your phone as a WiFi hotspot, but if this is your only option, we suggest tethering your phone with a USB cable and working from a spot with the most reliable phone signal.
Lastly, if you can set up a wired connection from your internet router to your laptop or device, using an ethernet cable, this is usually the best option for keeping up a strong internet connection.
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My audio isn’t working
If you can’t hear your tutor in the lesson space, here are a few quick fixes we recommend:
Try using headphones
We recommend using headphones in the lesson space to improve the sound quality. Make sure you’re using wired headphones (preferably with a USB connection), as bluetooth headphones tend to cause issues and aren’t supported in the lesson space.
Check your speakers
It might sound silly, but check to see if your speakers are turned on and the volume is turned up. You can then check the sound in another site, ie. YouTube.
Switch to incognito mode on your browser
Private browsing mode clears your browser of anything that might be blocking your connection. Do this by pressing Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows, Linux, or Chrome computers or pressing ⌘ + Shift + N on Mac.
Check your software is up to date
Having out of date software on your device can impact the quality of your tutorials.
Try a different browser
MyTutor lessons work on Google Chrome, Safari (Mac & iPad only) and Firefox. If you find one of these isn’t working for you, try another and see if that helps.
Check your browser settings
Go to Settings and check volume controls are enabled. For Windows: Settings > Volume Controls. For Mac: System Preferences > Sound
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My microphone isn’t working
If your microphone isn’t working and your tutor can’t hear you in the lesson space, here are a few quick fixes we recommend:
Switch to incognito mode on your browser
Private browsing mode clears your browser of anything that might be blocking your connection. Do this by pressing Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows, Linux, or Chrome computers or pressing ⌘ + Shift + N on Mac.
Check your software is up to date
Having out of date software on your device can impact the quality of your tutorials.
Try a different browser
MyTutor lessons work on Google Chrome, Safari (Mac & iPad only) and Firefox. If you find one of these isn’t working for you, try another and see if that helps.
Check your browser settings
Go to Settings and check that volume controls are enabled. For Windows: Settings > Volume Controls. For Mac: System Preferences > Sound. Sometimes, your microphone can be turned off in your browser settings. Click the padlock in the address bar > Site settings, and make sure your microphone is set to ’allow’.
Check your device settings
For Windows, go to: Settings > Privacy. On the left panel, find the entry for ‘microphone’, and select it. Then scroll through the page on the right, and make sure both the ‘Allow apps to access your microphone’ and ‘Allow desktop apps to access your microphone’ switches are both set to ‘on’.
For Mac, go to: System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Microphone, then make sure it's allowed.
Try using headphones
We recommend using headphones in the lesson space to improve the sound quality. Make sure you’re using wired headphones (preferably with a USB connection), as bluetooth headphones tend to cause issues and aren’t supported in the lesson space.
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My video isn’t working
If your webcam isn’t working and your tutor can’t see you in the lesson space, here are a few quick fixes we recommend:
Switch to incognito mode on your browser
Private browsing mode clears your browser of anything that might be blocking your connection. Do this by pressing Ctrl + Shift + N on Windows, Linux, or Chrome computers or pressing ⌘ + Shift + N on Mac.
Check your software is up to date
Having out of date software on your device can impact the quality of your tutorials.
Try a different browser
MyTutor lessons work on Google Chrome, Safari (Mac & iPad only) and Firefox. If you find one of these isn’t working for you, try another and see if that helps.
Check your device settings
To enable webcam for Windows, go to: Settings > Privacy > Camera, then make sure ‘Allow Apps to Access’ and ‘Allow desktop apps to access’ are both turned on.
For Mac, go to: System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy > Camera, then select the checkbox next to your browser to allow access to camera.
Block third-party security software
There may be third-party security software on your machine which is blocking your webcam. Check for any software or firewalls which automatically block your webcam within the browser.
Remove physical blocks
Some laptops have built-in physical switches to the webcam that need to be switched off to work.