| ⚠️ Error Type | ✅ Quick Fix | ⏱ Time |
|---|---|---|
| Auth failure | Sign out and back in | 30s |
| Rate limit | Wait 5 minutes | 5min |
| Network error | Disable VPN | 1min |
| Extension conflict | Disable other extensions | 2min |
If you’re seeing a “synthesia not working” error—whether it’s a blank screen, a “Something went wrong” message, or your keyboard just won’t connect—you’re not alone. Thousands of users encounter this issue weekly, especially after browser updates or when using older devices. In this guide, you’ll learn the exact steps Synthesia’s support team recommends to get everything running smoothly again. Whether you’re creating AI avatars for business videos or practicing piano with MIDI feedback, these real-world fixes have helped users across Chrome, Safari, and mobile platforms restore full functionality fast.
What Causes synthesia not working
- Browser cache corruption: Over time, stored site data can conflict with Synthesia’s latest updates, causing loading errors or blank screens. This is especially common after major platform releases.
- Outdated browser versions: Synthesia requires modern web standards. Using an old version of Chrome, Firefox, or Edge may break core features like video rendering or login flows.
- MIDI/keyboard driver issues: If Synthesia isn’t detecting your piano or MIDI keyboard, it’s often due to missing drivers or USB/MIDI configuration problems on your operating system.
- Browser extension interference: Ad blockers, privacy tools, or script managers can block Synthesia’s scripts, leading to partial loads or complete failure to initialize.
Quick Fix – Try This First (30 Seconds)
Before diving into complex troubleshooting, try this simple reset—it works for 80% of users:
- Hard refresh your browser by pressing Ctrl + F5 (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + R (Mac).
- If that doesn’t work, sign out of your Synthesia account and sign back in.
This clears temporary session glitches and reloads essential assets without touching your settings.
Complete Step-by-Step Fix Guide
- Clear your browser cache manually: Go to your browser’s settings, navigate to Privacy and Security > Clear Browsing Data, and select “Cached images and files.” Keep cookies if you want to stay logged in.
- Use Google Chrome (latest version): Synthesia officially recommends Chrome for optimal performance. Update via chrome://settings/help and restart the browser.
- Disable conflicting extensions: Temporarily turn off ad blockers, script blockers, or privacy extensions. Test Synthesia in an incognito window (which disables most extensions by default).
- Check for system-wide outages: Visit Downdetector or Synthesia’s status page to confirm the issue isn’t server-side. Most reports show Synthesia is currently operational.
- Reconnect your MIDI keyboard properly: If using Synthesia for piano practice, ensure your keyboard is powered on before launching the app. Try switching from USB to MIDI ports if available.
- Update or reinstall MIDI drivers: Visit your keyboard manufacturer’s website and install the latest drivers. Note: mobile devices don’t support custom drivers, so USB-MIDI may not work on phones or tablets.
- Try a different network: Firewalls, corporate networks, or strict VPNs can block Synthesia’s API calls. Disable your VPN or switch to a personal Wi-Fi connection.
Advanced Fixes
If you’re using Synthesia’s API or integrating it into a custom workflow, these technical steps may help:
- Ensure your API key has correct permissions and hasn’t hit rate limits. Wait 5 minutes if you see “429 Too Many Requests.”
- Verify CORS settings if embedding Synthesia in a web app. The origin must be whitelisted in your Synthesia developer dashboard.
- For developers testing locally, use HTTPS—even on localhost—as Synthesia blocks insecure contexts.
// Example: Check API status with curl
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
https://api.synthesia.io/v1/status
Still Not Working? Try These Instead
If Synthesia remains unresponsive despite all fixes, consider these powerful alternatives:
- – Offers similar AI avatar video creation with robust offline editing.
- – Great for interactive piano learning with real-time feedback and broader hardware support.
- – A cloud-based video studio with multilingual avatars and faster rendering times.
FAQ
Is Synthesia not working?
User reports currently show no widespread outages. If you’re experiencing issues, it’s likely local to your device, browser, or network.
What is the best browser for Synthesia?
Synthesia works best on the latest version of Google Chrome. Other Chromium-based browsers may work, but Chrome is officially recommended for stability and feature support.
What is the latest version of Synthesia?
The current desktop and mobile version is Synthesia 10.10, which includes support for Android 15 and improved MIDI handling.
Why is Synthesia not detecting my keyboard?
This usually happens due to missing drivers or USB connectivity issues. Check your keyboard manufacturer’s site for updated drivers. If your device has MIDI ports, try connecting via MIDI instead of USB—especially on Windows or macOS.
How do I fix the “Something went wrong” error?
Start with a hard refresh (Ctrl+F5 or Cmd+Shift+R), then clear your browser cache. If the error persists, disable extensions or try an incognito window to isolate the cause.