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Troubleshooting WriteinaClick: Common Issues and Fixes

Find solutions to common issues with WriteinaClick. Each section covers a specific problem area with step-by-step fixes.

Browser Compatibility​

For the best experience, use a recent version of:

  • Chrome (recommended)
  • Firefox
  • Safari (desktop)
  • Edge

Important: The web app is built for desktop browsers. On phones and tablets, use the native iOS or Android app instead of a mobile browser. See the Mobile docs.

Older browsers may have layout issues, slow performance, or missing features. Update your browser to the latest version if you run into problems.

What should I do if my browser is not supported?​

If you see a message that your browser isn't supported, try:

  1. Updating to the latest version of your browser
  2. Switching to Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge
  3. Clearing cache and cookies, then reloading

Write Canvas Not Loading​

What do I do if Write is blank or frozen?​

  • Refresh the page: Often fixes temporary glitches.
  • Check your connection: A slow or unstable connection can prevent Write from loading.
  • Disable extensions: Ad blockers or script blockers can interfere. Try disabling them for the app.
  • Try another browser: Isolate whether the issue is browser-specific.

Why is my content not appearing?​

  • Wait a few seconds; large books can take time to load.
  • Check that you're in the correct book and chapter.
  • Try switching between Chapter mode and Book mode.

Import Failures​

Why is my import stuck or timed out?​

  • File size - Files can be up to 50 MB. Very large files take longer. Try splitting the manuscript.
  • Format - Ensure the file is in a supported format (DOCX, DOC, PDF, EPUB, RTF, ODT, MOBI or AZW3). Plain text and Markdown files are not accepted.
  • Progress - Imports run in the background. Watch the Jobs menu (clipboard icon in the top bar); choose View Book when it finishes.
  • Retry: Temporary network issues can cause failures. Try again after a moment.

Why does my imported content look wrong?​

  • Structure: Use clear headings (e.g., "Chapter 1") in your source file so chapters are detected correctly.
  • Formatting: Complex layouts may be simplified. Re-apply formatting after import if needed.
  • Encoding: Ensure the file uses a standard encoding (e.g., UTF-8) to avoid character issues.

Export Issues​

Why does my export never complete?​

  • Check your connection. Exports run on the server and need a stable link.
  • Very long books can take several minutes. Watch the Jobs menu (clipboard icon in the top bar); a Download button appears there when the file is ready.
  • If it still fails, try exporting a smaller section or a different format.

Run the export again from Publish or File > Export in Write, then download the file from the Jobs menu when it is ready.

Why does my exported file have errors?​

  • Check that the content in Write looks correct before exporting.
  • Try a different format (e.g., DOCX instead of PDF) to see if the issue is format-specific.
  • Report persistent issues to support with details about the format and what's wrong.

Robin Not Responding​

Why is Robin chat not working?​

  • Connection: Ensure you're online and the connection is stable.
  • Context: Robin needs access to your book. Make sure the correct book and chapter are open in Write.
  • Retry: Temporary service issues can occur. Try again in a few minutes.

Why are Robin's suggestions slow?​

Robin processing can take a few seconds, especially for long passages. If it's consistently slow, check your connection and try a shorter selection.

Why can't I change the skill mid-chat?​

A Robin skill locks to a conversation once you send your first message, so it owns the whole chat. To use a different skill, exit the current one (the × on the skill chip). That starts a new chat where you can pick again.

Sync and Save Issues​

Why am I seeing "Not saved" or an offline status?​

The save status in the chapter title bar normally shows Saving... and then Saved. If the connection drops, it shows Not saved with a Retry button, or an offline status that says your changes will sync.

  • Connection - Saving requires an internet connection. Reconnect, then choose Retry.
  • Conflict: If you have the same book open in multiple tabs, changes can conflict. Use one tab at a time.
  • Refresh: If the app shows "saved" but you're unsure, refresh and check that your latest edits are still there.

Why did my changes disappear?​

  • Check Version History; you may be able to restore a previous version.
  • Ensure you're logged in and viewing the correct book.
  • If you recently switched devices or browsers, confirm you're in the same account.

Chapter Numbers and Order​

My new chapter came out with the wrong number​

New chapters are added at the end of your book, and take the next number after the highest one anywhere in the book. In a three-chapter book you get Chapter 4, even if you were writing in chapter 2 when you added it.

Drag the chapter into place in the Table of Contents and the whole book renumbers 1, 2, 3... in the new order. See Chapters.

My chapters aren't renumbering when I move them​

A chapter whose title begins with the word "Chapter" is treated as a label you wrote yourself. We show it exactly as typed and stop numbering it automatically, so it keeps the number in its title wherever you move it. Short sub-labels like 9a behave the same way.

Rename the chapter and take the number out of the title: The Duel rather than Chapter 12: The Duel. We add the "Chapter 12:" part for you.

Books imported from another app very often arrive with titles like "Chapter 1" and "Chapter 2" carried over from the original file. That is usually the cause.

There's a gap in my chapter numbers​

Deleting a chapter does not renumber the others, so deleting Chapter 3 of 5 leaves 1, 2, 4, 5. This is deliberate: the chapters you kept do not shift under you.

To close the gap, drag any chapter in the Table of Contents, or use Show reorder preview and choose Approve.

I can't rename my chapter: the title is a dropdown​

The chapter title at the top of the canvas is the button that opens your chapter list. Renaming is inside that same menu: click the title, then choose Rename chapter..., the first item.

It only appears for the chapter you currently have open, so select the chapter first. There is no rename in the sidebar's chapter row menu.

I can't reorder my chapters​

  • On mobile, chapters cannot be reordered at all. Open the book in the web app to change the order.
  • On the web, the drag handle is hidden until you hover the chapter row; it fades in at the left, where the status dot sits.
  • Chapter actions are switched off while a book is frozen.
  • Prologues and epilogues are pinned to the top and bottom and are never reordered.

How do I split one chapter into two?​

There is no split-at-the-cursor command. Add a chapter, drag it below the one you want to divide, then cut the second half of the text and paste it into the new chapter. See Break One Chapter Into Two.

Performance Tips​

Why does the app feel slow?​

  • Close extra tabs: Too many tabs can slow the browser.
  • Simplify the view: In Book mode, very long documents can be heavy. Consider using Chapter mode for editing.
  • Clear cache: Old cached data can cause slowness. Clear your browser cache for the site.
  • Update browser: Newer versions often perform better.

How do I fix typing lag in Write?​

  • Reduce the number of browser extensions.
  • Turn off Spell check in the Write toolbar temporarily if it's causing lag.
  • Use a device with more memory if possible.

Still Having Issues?​

If you've tried these steps and the problem persists:

  1. Check status: See if there's a known outage or maintenance.
  2. Contact support - Open the user menu (top right) and choose Report an issue. Include your browser, device, and a brief description of the issue.