---
title: Troubleshooting
description: Fix missing paste, dead hotkeys, API key save failures, and macOS Accessibility prompts.
url: https://pr-1-2b0a782aae90.thally.app/troubleshooting
---

# Troubleshooting

Fix missing paste, dead hotkeys, API key save failures, and macOS Accessibility prompts.

Work through the matching symptom. If dictation still fails, check the tray notification — Polyflo reports missing keys and paste fallbacks there.

## Nothing happens when I hold the hotkey

- Confirm Polyflo is running in the tray / menu bar (not only Settings open once and quit).
- Confirm a [Sarvam API key](/api-key) is saved. Without a key, v1.0.2 shows a notification instead of a silent miss.
- Try a different shortcut in [Settings](/settings) if another app owns `Ctrl+Shift+Space` / `Cmd+Shift+Space`.
- Speak for more than a brief tap. Holds under about 180 ms are ignored, and very short audio is not sent to Sarvam.

## The overlay appears, then no text is inserted

Polyflo writes the clipboard **before** simulating paste.

1. Try `Ctrl+V` (Windows) or `Cmd+V` (macOS). If the transcript appears, auto-paste was blocked.
2. On **macOS**, enable Polyflo in System Settings → Privacy & Security → **Accessibility**, then try again.
3. Click back into the target field before releasing the hotkey so focus restore has a window to return to.
4. Open Settings → **Clipboard** — the transcript is stored even when paste fails.

## Settings stuck on Loading

This was a production bug in early 1.0 builds (missing Tauri IPC permissions). Install [v1.0.2 or later](https://github.com/Crisiswastaken/PolyFlo/releases).

If Settings still fails to load, use **Retry** on the error screen.

## API key will not save on Windows

v1.0.2 enabled the Windows Credential Manager backend. Update if you are on an older build. After updating, paste the key again and blur the field until you see **Saved locally — verified**.

## Duplicate eye icon on the API key field

Fixed in v1.0.2. Update if you still see two reveal buttons.

## Settings will not reopen after I close it

Fixed in v1.0.1 — closing Settings hides the window instead of destroying it. Update if the tray **Open Settings** item does nothing.

## Microphone is silent / empty transcripts

- Allow microphone access when the OS prompts. On macOS the app explains that it needs the mic to transcribe speech.
- Confirm the correct input device is selected in OS sound settings. Polyflo uses the system default capture device.
- Check that you held the hotkey long enough to capture audio (a waveform should move in the overlay).

## Build from source fails on Windows

Build with **PowerShell or CMD**, not Git Bash. Git Bash can conflict with MSVC `link.exe`. See [Build from source](/build-from-source).