Parrot ScribeParrot Scribe
Troubleshooting/Common Errors

Common Errors

Solutions to common problems

Section: TroubleshootingUpdated August 31, 2026

License Errors

"License key invalid"

Cause: The license key format is incorrect or the key doesn't exist.

Fix:

  • Ensure you copied the entire key including PS- prefix
  • Check for extra spaces before or after the key
  • Verify you're using the correct key (check your purchase email)

"Device limit reached"

Cause: All device slots for your license are in use.

Fix:

"License expired" / "Needs revalidation"

Cause: Parrot Scribe couldn't verify your license online.

Fix:

  • Check your internet connection
  • Try again in a few minutes
  • If persistent, contact support

Application Errors

"Failed to start transcription"

Cause: Audio capture couldn't initialize.

Fix:

  1. Check permissions are granted
  2. Verify your microphone is connected and working
  3. Quit Parrot Scribe from the menu, then reopen it
  4. If using system audio, restart your Mac

"Model failed to load"

Cause: The transcription model couldn't be loaded.

Fix:

  1. Quit and reopen Parrot Scribe
  2. Check that you have enough disk space for the selected model. Downloads range from about 77 MB to 1.62 GB.
  3. Try selecting a different model in Settings
  4. Reinstall Parrot Scribe if persistent

"Output directory not writable"

Cause: Parrot Scribe cannot write to its application data directory.

Fix:

  1. Check that your Mac has free disk space.
  2. Confirm that ~/Library/Application Support/Parrot Scribe/ is accessible to your user account.
  3. Keep Parrot Scribe open if the current session has not been saved. Quitting or force-quitting can lose pending transcript text.
  4. If the error persists, contact support before changing or deleting the library.

Session saving and load errors in 1.0.0-beta.10

These changes require 1.0.0-beta.10 or later and are not included in 1.0.0-beta.9.

If saving fails, keep the app open, address the storage problem, and choose Retry Saving from the menu bar. The app keeps pending text for retry and cancels a requested quit or update restart when saving fails. Pending text can still be lost through power loss or force-quit.

Sessions Could Not Be Loaded includes the load error and a Retry action. A transcript timing error does not mean the encryption key is missing. The update preserves readable words whose recognition timing extends past the recording end, while keeping the original encrypted file.

If the library's security history cannot be opened or verified, retry and use Help > Submit Diagnostics... if it continues. Keep the library files. This message does not mean a reset or recovery key will fix the underlying problem.

Library Recovery

These states apply to 1.0.0-beta.9 and later and need different next steps.

A folder encryption key is missing

Available sessions remain readable, but affected folders cannot be changed. Keep the original files, the Mac and any older backups. The recovery words cannot recreate a random folder key that an older migration failed to preserve. Contact support to check surviving keys or folder history. Do not delete the encrypted folder file to clear the notice.

Version 1.0.0-beta.10 restricts retirement to verified legacy keys. It preserves unaccounted keys and their dependencies, but cannot restore a key already deleted.

Version 1.0.0-beta.10 also offers Repair Folders… in this notice. Review whether it can rebuild folders from verified library information or must create an empty folder tree, then confirm the repair. It keeps your sessions, transcripts, audio and speaker identities, and preserves the inaccessible originals in an encrypted repair archive. Items whose folder assignments cannot be matched remain available in All Sessions or All Speakers. Creating new folders does not recover the old hierarchy or its missing key. Keep a complete library backup and do not downgrade after using this repair.

Incomplete or unavailable data

Library can show: Some library data is incomplete or unavailable. Available sessions are shown. The affected files have been kept.

You can review the available sessions. Keep the affected files and your backup; the notice does not mean recovery recreated every session. If content is missing, contact support before changing or deleting library files. Do not delete the database or key files to clear the notice. See Backups and Moving to Another Mac.

Encryption setup or recovery is unfinished

Library shows Finish encryption setup or recovery before using the library. Select Continue and complete the presented setup, migration or recovery step. Settings remains reachable, but recording, library changes and retention controls wait for initialization to finish.

This state is not an empty library or the partial-recovery notice above. Recovery words restore a matching master secret; they cannot recreate missing data or key sidecars. If the step fails, keep the original files and Mac and contact support before trying a reset.

Network Errors

"Network error during activation"

Cause: Couldn't reach the license server.

Fix:

  1. Check your internet connection
  2. Ensure Parrot Scribe isn't blocked by a firewall
  3. Try disabling VPN temporarily
  4. Try again in a few minutes

"Connection timed out"

Cause: Server response took too long.

Fix:

  • Try again in a few minutes
  • Check if you're on a slow or unstable connection

Getting More Help

First, make sure you're running the latest version. Select Check for Updates... from the menu.

If you can't resolve an issue:

  1. Note the version number shown in About Parrot Scribe.
  2. Reproduce the problem. Keep the app open if saving has failed.
  3. Choose Help > Submit Diagnostics.... Save the encrypted file and attach it to the email draft. Nothing is sent automatically. If the library cannot open, you can still export diagnostics.
  4. Contact support with:
    • Description of the issue
    • Your version number
    • Steps to reproduce
    • The encrypted diagnostics file