> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.rapidreader.app/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Troubleshooting

> Common issues and solutions for Rapid Reader

Having trouble with Rapid Reader? Find solutions to the most common issues below. If your problem is not listed here, check the [FAQ](/faq) or [contact support](/support).

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="PDF not extracting text">
    **Problem:** PDF shows no content, displays garbled text, or only shows a few words.

    **Cause:** Your PDF is likely scanned or image-based rather than text-based. Rapid Reader can only extract text from PDFs that contain actual text data, not images of text.

    **Solution:**

    * Open the PDF in any viewer and try to select text with your cursor. If you cannot highlight individual words, the PDF is image-based.
    * Run the PDF through an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) tool first. Free options include Adobe Acrobat's online OCR, Google Drive (upload and download as text), or dedicated tools like Tesseract.
    * If possible, obtain a text-based version of the document from the original source.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Mac app won't open">
    **Problem:** You see a message saying the app "cannot be opened because the developer cannot be verified" or similar security warning.

    **Cause:** The Rapid Reader Mac app is not notarized with Apple, which triggers macOS Gatekeeper protection.

    **Solution:**

    1. Locate the Rapid Reader app in Finder
    2. **Right-click** (or Control-click) on the app icon
    3. Select **Open** from the context menu
    4. Click **Open** in the dialog that appears

    You only need to do this once. After the first launch, macOS will remember your choice and open the app normally.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Chrome extension not working">
    **Problem:** Keyboard shortcuts do not respond, the extension appears disabled, or the popup does not appear.

    **Cause:** Chrome extensions are restricted on certain pages for security reasons.

    **Solution:**

    * The extension cannot run on Chrome's internal pages: `chrome://` URLs, the Chrome Web Store, or the new tab page
    * Navigate to any regular website (like a news article or blog post) and try again
    * Check that the extension is enabled in `chrome://extensions`
    * Verify keyboard shortcuts are configured in `chrome://extensions/shortcuts`
    * Try refreshing the page or restarting Chrome
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Reads disappeared from library">
    **Problem:** Your library is empty and all your saved reads are gone.

    **Cause:** Rapid Reader stores your library data locally in your browser or app. If browser data was cleared, or you are using a different browser or device, your reads will not appear.

    **Solution:**

    * Unfortunately, locally stored reads cannot be recovered once browser data is cleared
    * To prevent future loss, consider exporting important reads or keeping source files accessible
    * If using multiple devices, note that reads are stored separately on each device
    * Check if you are signed into the same browser profile you were using before
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Speed feels too fast or too slow">
    **Problem:** You cannot keep up with the words at current speed, or reading feels sluggish and frustrating.

    **Solution:**

    * **Start at 250 WPM** if you are new to RSVP reading. This gives your brain time to adapt to the format.
    * Increase speed gradually in 25 WPM increments as you become comfortable
    * Match your speed to the content. Dense technical material needs slower speeds than casual reading.
    * Use **arrow keys** during playback to adjust speed on the fly
    * See [Choosing Your Speed](/learn/choosing-your-speed) for detailed guidance on finding the right pace for different content types
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Keyboard shortcuts not working">
    **Problem:** Pressing keyboard shortcuts does nothing or triggers the wrong action.

    **Cause:** The app may not have focus, or another application or browser extension may be intercepting the shortcuts.

    **Solution:**

    * Click directly on the reading area or display to ensure Rapid Reader has focus
    * Check for conflicting browser extensions that might capture the same keys
    * Verify that your operating system has not assigned global shortcuts to the same keys
    * On Mac, check System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts for conflicts
    * Try using the on-screen controls to confirm the app is responding, then test shortcuts again
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

<Card title="Still need help?" icon="life-ring" href="/support">
  Contact support if your issue is not resolved above
</Card>