Troubleshooting issues: Difference between revisions

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Some common problems and solutions are recorded here. If you’re having a problem with Plover, see if it is described here along with a solution.
Some common problems and solutions are recorded here. If you’re having a problem with Plover, see if it is described here along with a solution.


Also, please make sure to check the [https://github.com/openstenoproject/plover/issues Plover bug tracker] for known reported issues.
Also, please make sure to check the [https://github.com/openstenoproject/plover/issues Plover bug tracker] for known reported issues.<span id="running-in-debug-mode"></span>
-----
 
<!-- TOC -->
* [[#running-in-debug-mode|Running in Debug Mode]]
* [[#issues|Issues]]
** [[#general|General]]
*** [[#plover-does-not-recognize-my-usb-keyboard-or-steno-machine|Plover does not recognize my USB keyboard or steno machine]]
*** [[#strokes-no-longer-appear-when-using-keyboard|Strokes no longer appear when using keyboard]]
*** [[#when-using-tx-bolt-any-chord-with-sw--in-it-doesnt-come-out-right|When using TX Bolt, any chord with <code>SW-</code> in it doesn’t come out right]]
** [[#plugins-manager|Plugins Manager]]
** [[#dictionary-issues|Dictionary issues]]
*** [[#dictionary-priority|Dictionary priority]]
*** [[#if-you-have-your-own-dictionary-already|If you have your own dictionary already]]
** [[#about-the-default-dictionaries|About the default dictionaries]]
*** [[#mainjson|main.json]]
*** [[#commandsjson|commands.json]]
*** [[#userjson|user.json]]
** [[#windows-1|Windows]]
*** [[#unrecognized-keystrokes-and-other-strange-behavior|Unrecognized keystrokes and other strange behavior]]
*** [[#no-output|No output]]
** [[#macos|macOS]]
*** [[#plover-does-not-run-macos|Plover does not run (macOS)]]
*** [[#unrecognized-keystrokes|Unrecognized keystrokes]]
** [[#linux|Linux]]
*** [[#unrecognized-keystrokes-1|Unrecognized keystrokes]]
*** [[#linux-dynamic-keyboard-layout-switching-is-not-working|Linux dynamic keyboard layout switching is not working]]
*** [[#delayedslow-output-when-using-gnome-shell-and-the-keyboard-machine|Delayed/slow output when using gnome-shell and the keyboard machine]]
 
<!-- /TOC --><span id="running-in-debug-mode"></span>
= Running in Debug Mode =
= Running in Debug Mode =


Follow instructions in [https://github.com/openstenoproject/plover/wiki/Invoke-Plover-from-the-command-line Invoke Plover from the command line]. You need to invoke the command
Follow instructions in [[Invoke_Plover_from_the_Command_Line| Invoke Plover from the command line]]. You need to invoke the command


<pre>plover --log-level debug</pre>
<pre>plover --log-level debug</pre>
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=== Plover does not recognize my USB keyboard or steno machine ===
=== Plover does not recognize my USB keyboard or steno machine ===


<blockquote>'''Note''': Initially, Plover is set up to use your computer keyboard as a steno machine. If you have a steno machine, you’ll need to configure Plover to look for your machine. See the [https://github.com/openstenoproject/plover/wiki/Supported-Hardware Supported Hardware page] for configuration instructions specific to your machine.
{{Info|text=Initially, Plover is set up to use your computer keyboard as a steno machine. If you have a steno machine, you’ll need to configure Plover to look for your machine. See the [[Supported_Hardware |Supported Hardware page]] for configuration instructions specific to your machine.}}
</blockquote>
If you know your machine has been configured correctly, and Plover doesn’t recognize your keyboard or steno machine:
If you know your machine has been configured correctly, and Plover doesn’t recognize your keyboard or steno machine:


Line 57: Line 27:
=== Strokes no longer appear when using keyboard ===
=== Strokes no longer appear when using keyboard ===


If Plover is enabled with [https://github.com/openstenoproject/plover/wiki/Glossary#arpeggiate arpeggiating] and strokes were previously registered, check that arpeggiating has not begun. Press <code>&lt;space&gt;</code> (by default) to toggle arpeggiate.<span id="when-using-tx-bolt-any-chord-with-sw--in-it-doesnt-come-out-right"></span>
If Plover is enabled with [[Glossary#arpeggiate|arpeggiating]] and strokes were previously registered, check that arpeggiating has not begun. Press <code>&lt;space&gt;</code> (by default) to toggle arpeggiate.
=== When using TX Bolt, any chord with <code>SW-</code> in it doesn’t come out right ===
=== When using TX Bolt, any chord with <code>SW-</code> in it doesn’t come out right ===


Solution: in the serial settings, uncheck “Xon/Xoff” under “Flow control”. This will solve the issue where using S and W in a chord causes Plover to ignore those keys.<span id="plugins-manager"></span>
Solution: in the serial settings, uncheck “Xon/Xoff” under “Flow control”. This will solve the issue where using S and W in a chord causes Plover to ignore those keys.<span id="plugins-manager"></span>
== Plugins Manager ==
== Plugins Manager ==


If you’re running Plover 4.x and are missing the plugins manager or it’s not working as expected, you can try [https://github.com/openstenoproject/plover/wiki/Installing-Plugins#manually-installing-plugins manually installing plugins]<span id="dictionary-issues"></span>
===Disappearing plugins manager===
 
When installing some plugins (such as the <code>plover-layout display</code> plugin), the plugins manager may stop appearing.
 
# In the toolbar, select <code>File → Open Config Folder</code>
# Delete the <code>Plugins</code> folder
# Uninstall and reinstall Plover
 
===Plugins not showing in the plugins manager===
 
Installing plugins that aren't in the plugins manager is a greater security risk, and is therefore not recommended. If you still want to proceed with this, follow the instructions for [[Plugins#Manually Installing Plugins|manually Installing Plugins]].
 
== Dictionary issues ==
== Dictionary issues ==


Line 116: Line 98:
* If you are a Citrix user, reinstall Citrix and make sure to opt-out of [https://docs.citrix.com/en-us/citrix-virtual-apps-desktops/secure/app-protection.html app protection]<span id="macos"></span>
* If you are a Citrix user, reinstall Citrix and make sure to opt-out of [https://docs.citrix.com/en-us/citrix-virtual-apps-desktops/secure/app-protection.html app protection]<span id="macos"></span>
== macOS ==
== macOS ==
<span id="plover-does-not-run"></span>
=== No output despite keys showing up in the paper tape ===
=== Plover does not run ===
 
# Enable Plover's output.
# Open the paper tape and press some keys.
#* If nothing shows up, you will first need to set up your machine.
#* If you see letters showing in the paper tape, follow the rest of these instructions.
# Open <code>System Settings &#x3E; Privacy & Security &#x3E; Accessibility</code>.
#* If <code>Plover</code> is already listed, remove it with the <code>-</code> button; '''do not just uncheck it!'''
# Add the <code>Plover</code> app with the <code>+</code> button.
 
=== Incompatibility with Karabiner Elements ===
Plover will not work if you are using [https://github.com/tekezo/Karabiner-Elements Karabiner Elements], or generally speaking any program that allow customizing the keyboard might interfere with Plover. There is unfortunately to workaround other than to disable or uninstall these programs while using Plover.


<ul>
<li><p>If you use a keyboard instead of a steno machine, Plover needs [https://support.apple.com/en-ca/guide/mac-help/mh43185/mac Assistive Device Permissions].</p>
<ul>
<li>If Plover does not have the permission, you’ll see the error message <code>Exception: Enable access for assistive devices.</code>
</li>
<li><p>From the Catalina version of macOS, you may need to enable both the <code>Plover</code> app and the <code>env</code> app under Security &amp; Privacy &gt; Privacy &gt; Accessibility.</p>
<p>Alternatively, upgrade Plover to a newer version. See [https://github.com/openstenoproject/plover/issues/1134 issue 1134] for more details.</p></li>
<li><p>If Plover is shown to have Accessibility permissions but it still won’t output anything/shows the error message above, there may be something wrong with the permissions.</p>
<p>(some situations such as operating system upgrade/Plover version upgrade might trigger this issue.)</p>
<p>There are several ways you can try to fix them, from least destructive to most destructive:</p>
<ol style="list-style-type: decimal;">
<li><p>Removing Plover from the list of Accessibility permissions using the little <code>-</code> button below the list. After removing Plover from the list, restart Plover, enable output and start writing, it should ask again for permission and reappear in the list for you to enable.</p></li>
<li><p>Resetting the Accessibility permissions should clear the list and you will have to re-enable Accessibility permissions for every app that was enabled before. To reset the permissions, open a terminal (Applications &gt; Utilities &gt; Terminal.app), copy/paste the following command and press Enter:</p>
<pre>sudo tccutil reset Accessibility</pre>
<p>Enter your password and press Enter again. Restart Plover, enable output, and it should ask again for permission when it tries to output text as you write.</p></li>
<li><p>Same as solution #2 but resetting all of the permissions, not just the Accessibility ones. The instructions are the same, but copy/pasting this command instead.</p>
<pre>sudo tccutil reset All</pre></li>
<li><p>Alternatively, as a debugging step, [https://github.com/openstenoproject/plover/wiki/Invoke-Plover-from-the-command-line invoke Plover in the terminal] with the command</p>
<pre>/Applications/Plover.app/Contents/MacOS/Plover</pre>
<p>then grant Terminal assistive permission. (remember to revoke the permission after the possible is fixed to avoid potential security issues!)</p></li></ol>
</li>
<li><p>Plover will not work if you are using [https://github.com/tekezo/Karabiner-Elements Karabiner Elements], or generally speaking any program that allow customizing the keyboard might interfere with Plover.</p></li></ul>
</li></ul><span id="unrecognized-keystrokes"></span>
=== Unrecognized keystrokes ===
=== Unrecognized keystrokes ===


macOS has a feature where holding down a key brings up an accent menu. This can sometimes drop keys when typing quickly, such as <code>TO/FPLT</code> producing <code>t.</code> instead of <code>to.</code> To disable this, follow the instructions in this article: [https://www.tekrevue.com/tip/how-to-disable-the-character-accent-menu-in-os-x-mountain-lion/ “How to Disable the Character Accent Menu in OS X Mountain Lion”].<span id="linux"></span>
macOS has a feature where holding down a key brings up an accent menu. This can sometimes drop keys when typing quickly, such as <code>TO/FPLT</code> producing <code>t.</code> instead of <code>to.</code> To disable this, follow the instructions in this article: [https://www.tekrevue.com/tip/how-to-disable-the-character-accent-menu-in-os-x-mountain-lion/ “How to Disable the Character Accent Menu in OS X Mountain Lion”].<span id="linux"></span>
== Linux ==
== Linux ==
<span id="missing-or-jumbled-output"></span>
 
=== Permission denied with Gemini PR or TX Bolt ===
''See: [[Installation Guide#Allow Access to Serial Ports|allow access to serial ports]].''
 
=== Missing or jumbled output ===
=== Missing or jumbled output ===
IBus does not handle the very fast simulated key presses of Plover. This can result in dropped or transposed letters (<code>HAT</code> becomes <code>AHT</code> or <code>AT</code>). The solution is to go open Plover's configuration dialog, navigate to the <code>Output</code> tab, and increase the <code>Key press delay</code>.
[[File:Key press delay.png|alt=key press delay field in plover's configuration|thumb|Increase the key press delay to fix dropped or transposed letters.|center]]


* IBus does not handle the very fast simulated key presses of Plover. This can result in dropped or transposed letters (<code>HAT</code> becomes <code>AHT</code> or <code>AT</code>).<span id="linux-dynamic-keyboard-layout-switching-is-not-working"></span>
=== Linux dynamic keyboard layout switching is not working ===
=== Linux dynamic keyboard layout switching is not working ===
Plover does not handle dynamic keyboard layout switching: see [https://github.com/openstenoproject/plover/issues/298 bug #298].


* Plover does not handle dynamic keyboard layout switching: see [https://github.com/openstenoproject/plover/issues/298 bug #298].<span id="delayedslow-output-when-using-gnome-shell-and-the-keyboard-machine"></span>
=== Delayed/slow output when using gnome-shell and the keyboard machine ===
=== Delayed/slow output when using gnome-shell and the keyboard machine ===
It’s a gnome-shell [https://github.com/openstenoproject/plover/issues/1030 bug], unfortunately there’s no known workaround.
=== No authorization protocol error ===
If the following error occurs while trying to run Plover, your system is using Xwayland. See the wiki page on [[Wayland#Plover on Xwayland|Wayland]] for a fix.
[[File:Xwayland error.png|alt=Xwayland error that pops up when trying to run Plover|center|thumb|This error occurs on some systems running Wayland.]]


* It’s a gnome-shell [https://github.com/openstenoproject/plover/issues/1030 bug], unfortunately there’s no known workaround.
=== Plover not working on Wayland ===
Plover does not officially support Wayland. See the wiki page on [[Wayland]] for workarounds and alternatives to Plover.

Latest revision as of 03:50, 17 August 2024

Some common problems and solutions are recorded here. If you’re having a problem with Plover, see if it is described here along with a solution.

Also, please make sure to check the Plover bug tracker for known reported issues.

Running in Debug Mode

Follow instructions in Invoke Plover from the command line. You need to invoke the command

plover --log-level debug

In particular, the exact commands are

  • plover_console.exe --log-level debug for Windows
  • /Applications/Plover.app/Contents/MacOS/Plover --log-level debug for macOS
  • ./plover.AppImage --log-level debug for Linux (AppImage)

Issues

General

Plover does not recognize my USB keyboard or steno machine

format=frameless
format=frameless

Initially, Plover is set up to use your computer keyboard as a steno machine. If you have a steno machine, you’ll need to configure Plover to look for your machine. See the Supported Hardware page for configuration instructions specific to your machine.

If you know your machine has been configured correctly, and Plover doesn’t recognize your keyboard or steno machine:

  1. Confirm your keyboard or steno machine is plugged into your computer.
  2. On the Plover control panel, check if it states the machine is connected or disconnected.
    • If it states the machine is disconnected, press the Reconnect button (this is to the right of “connected” or “disconnected” message).
  3. If Plover still doesn’t recognize your machine, try closing and relaunching Plover.

Strokes no longer appear when using keyboard

If Plover is enabled with arpeggiating and strokes were previously registered, check that arpeggiating has not begun. Press <space> (by default) to toggle arpeggiate.

When using TX Bolt, any chord with SW- in it doesn’t come out right

Solution: in the serial settings, uncheck “Xon/Xoff” under “Flow control”. This will solve the issue where using S and W in a chord causes Plover to ignore those keys.

Plugins Manager

Disappearing plugins manager

When installing some plugins (such as the plover-layout display plugin), the plugins manager may stop appearing.

  1. In the toolbar, select File → Open Config Folder
  2. Delete the Plugins folder
  3. Uninstall and reinstall Plover

Plugins not showing in the plugins manager

Installing plugins that aren't in the plugins manager is a greater security risk, and is therefore not recommended. If you still want to proceed with this, follow the instructions for manually Installing Plugins.

Dictionary issues

By default, Plover ships with three dictionaries: main.json, commands.json and user.json. This can be a source of confusion to new users.

Dictionary priority

If two dictionaries contain the same steno strokes, Plover will use the one in the dictionary that has the highest priority.

In Plover 3.x and below, the dictionaries in the dictionary list were prioritized from the bottom up.

In Plover 4 and above, the dictionaries order is configurable, but the default is to have the highest priority dictionary at the top, and it is labeled with a star ⭐.

By default, the user.json dictionary is placed at the highest priority. If you want new strokes to go to a different dictionary by default (for example, you have your own dictionary already), make sure that the target dictionary is the highest priority.

If you have your own dictionary already

If you have your own dictionary already, you’ll probably want to remove main.json and custom.json and add your own dictionary. This includes existing stenographers and users of another theory (Magnum, Phoenix).

We do not recommend you remove the commands.json dictionary from the dictionary list. This is because Plover has some concepts that users of other steno software will not be familiar with initially. Feel free to go through commands.json, and remap strokes that you want to use in your own theory.

About the default dictionaries

main.json

main.json is the core default dictionary. It is based on Mirabai Knight’s own personal dictionary, which follows a StenEd-style thoery. It contains over 140,000 entries and is adequate for anyone learning stenography. Mirabai uses this dictionary professionally for her realtime work.

commands.json

commands.json contains some keyboard shortcuts and Plover-specific utilities. For example, the stroke to add a new translation: TKUPT. It also contains arrow key movements, copy and paste, and more.

Have a look inside to see some sample keyboard commands that Plover can do.

user.json

user.json is a blank dictionary. By default, the user.json dictionary is the highest priority - it is the first dictionary Plover will use. When you define new strokes, they will get added to this dictionary. This means you can see which strokes you’ve defined yourself, instead of trying to locate them inside the default dictionaries.

Windows

Unrecognized keystrokes and other strange behavior

  • Disable AutoKey if you’re getting strange behavior with Plover.

No Output

Double check the following:

  • Your machine is connected
  • Plover’s output is set to “Enabled”
  • You can see strokes in the paper tape

If nothing is “typed” when you’re focused in a program like “Notepad”, something may be interfering with Plover’s ability to send keystrokes.

You can try:

  • Running Plover as an Administrator
  • If you are a Citrix user, reinstall Citrix and make sure to opt-out of app protection

macOS

No output despite keys showing up in the paper tape

  1. Enable Plover's output.
  2. Open the paper tape and press some keys.
    • If nothing shows up, you will first need to set up your machine.
    • If you see letters showing in the paper tape, follow the rest of these instructions.
  3. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility.
    • If Plover is already listed, remove it with the - button; do not just uncheck it!
  4. Add the Plover app with the + button.

Incompatibility with Karabiner Elements

Plover will not work if you are using Karabiner Elements, or generally speaking any program that allow customizing the keyboard might interfere with Plover. There is unfortunately to workaround other than to disable or uninstall these programs while using Plover.

Unrecognized keystrokes

macOS has a feature where holding down a key brings up an accent menu. This can sometimes drop keys when typing quickly, such as TO/FPLT producing t. instead of to. To disable this, follow the instructions in this article: “How to Disable the Character Accent Menu in OS X Mountain Lion”.

Linux

Permission denied with Gemini PR or TX Bolt

See: allow access to serial ports.

Missing or jumbled output

IBus does not handle the very fast simulated key presses of Plover. This can result in dropped or transposed letters (HAT becomes AHT or AT). The solution is to go open Plover's configuration dialog, navigate to the Output tab, and increase the Key press delay.

key press delay field in plover's configuration
Increase the key press delay to fix dropped or transposed letters.

Linux dynamic keyboard layout switching is not working

Plover does not handle dynamic keyboard layout switching: see bug #298.

Delayed/slow output when using gnome-shell and the keyboard machine

It’s a gnome-shell bug, unfortunately there’s no known workaround.

No authorization protocol error

If the following error occurs while trying to run Plover, your system is using Xwayland. See the wiki page on Wayland for a fix.

Xwayland error that pops up when trying to run Plover
This error occurs on some systems running Wayland.

Plover not working on Wayland

Plover does not officially support Wayland. See the wiki page on Wayland for workarounds and alternatives to Plover.