The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works

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Freelance Contributor, PCWorld | Feb 12, two thousand fifteen Three:00 AM PT

Editor’s note: To be fair to Google Hangouts, Skype has its problems, too. But it’s Google Hangouts that PCWorld’s editors have, for several years, attempted and largely failed to use for staff meetings with remote users. Just when we think we’ve figured out all the kinks, something else goes awry. So we feel our readers’ anguish on this one, and that’s why we asked videoconferencing pro Christopher Null how to cure five of its most notable headaches. Did we miss a Hangouts hangup that’s making your life infernal? Let us know in the comments.

1. Hangouts doesn’t work in Internet Explorer from the Windows eight Commence screen

Sorry, Metro fans! Launch your browser from the Windows desktop in order to use Chrome.

If you’re using the Commence screen to launch Internet Explorer, you may find that Hangouts simply doesn’t work. That’s because Hangouts requires a plug-in to operate on IE, and the full-screen, Metro-style version of IE doesn’t permit any plug-ins at all. To work around this, you have a duo of choices. You can run IE in Desktop mode by launching it from the desktop instead of the Commence screen, and then install Hangouts, or you can simply switch to another browser.

Two. If you run Hangouts on numerous devices, Hangouts sends notifications to everything that’s running, causing alert overcharge

Stem the flood of notifications by closing the Hangouts app or signing out.

If you have Hangouts open on your desktop and your phone at the same time, notifications will pop up on both devices, even if you aren’t actively engaged with one of them.

This is unluckily a known issue with Hangouts. It’s a agony for some users, while other users actually choose it to work this way.

If you’re getting too many notifications, a few solutions are available. Very first, you can sign out of Hangouts on devices or browsers form which you don’t want notifications, or close the app altogether.

On Android devices, you have a few more options. You can use Menu > Snooze notifications to suspend alerts on that device. Notifications can also be suspended indefinitely on a per-user basis by selecting the gear icon in a Hangout window and unchecking the Notifications box there.

Trio. Photos sent via Hangouts over MMS taken in portrait mode automatically rotate and turn into landscape photos

This is a specific issue related to Hangouts on certain Android phones when pictures are sent over MMS. Many users report that the problem is erratic and that clearing application data from the Android Applications Manager may help, at least some of the time.

The more reliable solution is not to use the camera within Hangouts to snap photos, but to take pictures separately, using the standard Android camera. When portrait photos are fastened from your photo library, they seem to come through with the decent rotation intact.

Four. Movie calls don’t work

While there are many potential reasons that Hangouts won’t initiate a movie call, here are a few of the most common troubleshooting tips.

Very first, the Chrome browser doesn’t require a plug-in for Hangouts to work… unless your company uses Google Apps, in which case you will still have to install the Hangouts plug-in to make movie calls. It’s also a good idea to install the Hangouts Chrome app, which adds Hangouts to the Chrome App Launcher, where you can initiate a fresh movie call.

Note that Hangouts does not support a handful of webcams, microphones, and audio devices. Presuming this is not your issue, make sure the correct audio gear is selected within Hangout’s settings menu. To find this menu, initiate a fresh movie, then click the gear icon.Hangouts may work better if you select specific devices for each of the three options instead of “Default.”

Eventually, in general, restarting your browser and/or your computer is also a good cure-all for any video-related problem within Hangouts.

Five. The Hangouts Browser plug-in won’t install (or vanishes)

Can’t install the Hangouts plug-in? Very first, make sure you aren’t running 64-bit Internet Explorer, as the plug-in is not supported on this browser. If you’re using Chrome, check chrome://plugins/ to see if the Google Talk plug-in is installed and enabled. (The name is a remnant of Hangouts’ prior incarnation.)

You can also attempt uninstalling this plug-in (instructions can be found here) and reinstalling it. Recall that the Hangouts app is different from the Hangouts plug-in. (You don’t need the former, but all browsers except Chrome require the latter.) If the Hangouts app has vanished from Chrome, simply re-enable it by re-downloading it from the Chrome Web Store.

Christopher Null is a veteran technology and business journalist. He contributes regularly to TechHive, PCWorld, and Wired, and operates the websites Drinkhacker and Film Racket.

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works, PCWorld

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works

Your message has been sent.

There was an error emailing this page.

Freelance Contributor, PCWorld | Feb 12, two thousand fifteen Three:00 AM PT

Editor’s note: To be fair to Google Hangouts, Skype has its problems, too. But it’s Google Hangouts that PCWorld’s editors have, for several years, attempted and largely failed to use for staff meetings with remote users. Just when we think we’ve figured out all the kinks, something else goes awry. So we feel our readers’ agony on this one, and that’s why we asked videoconferencing experienced Christopher Null how to cure five of its most notable headaches. Did we miss a Hangouts hangup that’s making your life diabolical? Let us know in the comments.

1. Hangouts doesn’t work in Internet Explorer from the Windows eight Embark screen

Sorry, Metro fans! Launch your browser from the Windows desktop in order to use Chrome.

If you’re using the Begin screen to launch Internet Explorer, you may find that Hangouts simply doesn’t work. That’s because Hangouts requires a plug-in to operate on IE, and the full-screen, Metro-style version of IE doesn’t permit any plug-ins at all. To work around this, you have a duo of choices. You can run IE in Desktop mode by launching it from the desktop instead of the Begin screen, and then install Hangouts, or you can simply switch to another browser.

Two. If you run Hangouts on numerous devices, Hangouts sends notifications to everything that’s running, causing alert overcharge

Stem the flood of notifications by closing the Hangouts app or signing out.

If you have Hangouts open on your desktop and your phone at the same time, notifications will pop up on both devices, even if you aren’t actively engaged with one of them.

This is unluckily a known issue with Hangouts. It’s a ache for some users, while other users actually choose it to work this way.

If you’re getting too many notifications, a few solutions are available. Very first, you can sign out of Hangouts on devices or browsers form which you don’t want notifications, or close the app altogether.

On Android devices, you have a few more options. You can use Menu > Snooze notifications to suspend alerts on that device. Notifications can also be suspended indefinitely on a per-user basis by selecting the gear icon in a Hangout window and unchecking the Notifications box there.

Three. Photos sent via Hangouts over MMS taken in portrait mode automatically rotate and turn into landscape photos

This is a specific issue related to Hangouts on certain Android phones when pictures are sent over MMS. Many users report that the problem is erratic and that clearing application data from the Android Applications Manager may help, at least some of the time.

The more reliable solution is not to use the camera within Hangouts to snap photos, but to take pictures separately, using the standard Android camera. When portrait photos are fastened from your photo library, they seem to come through with the decent rotation intact.

Four. Movie calls don’t work

While there are many potential reasons that Hangouts won’t initiate a movie call, here are a few of the most common troubleshooting tips.

Very first, the Chrome browser doesn’t require a plug-in for Hangouts to work… unless your company uses Google Apps, in which case you will still have to install the Hangouts plug-in to make movie calls. It’s also a good idea to install the Hangouts Chrome app, which adds Hangouts to the Chrome App Launcher, where you can initiate a fresh movie call.

Note that Hangouts does not support a handful of webcams, microphones, and audio devices. Presuming this is not your issue, make sure the correct audio gear is selected within Hangout’s settings menu. To find this menu, initiate a fresh movie, then click the gear icon.Hangouts may work better if you select specific devices for each of the three options instead of “Default.”

Eventually, in general, restarting your browser and/or your computer is also a good cure-all for any video-related problem within Hangouts.

Five. The Hangouts Browser plug-in won’t install (or vanishes)

Can’t install the Hangouts plug-in? Very first, make sure you aren’t running 64-bit Internet Explorer, as the plug-in is not supported on this browser. If you’re using Chrome, check chrome://plugins/ to see if the Google Talk plug-in is installed and enabled. (The name is a remnant of Hangouts’ prior incarnation.)

You can also attempt uninstalling this plug-in (instructions can be found here) and reinstalling it. Reminisce that the Hangouts app is different from the Hangouts plug-in. (You don’t need the former, but all browsers except Chrome require the latter.) If the Hangouts app has vanished from Chrome, simply re-enable it by re-downloading it from the Chrome Web Store.

Christopher Null is a veteran technology and business journalist. He contributes regularly to TechHive, PCWorld, and Wired, and operates the websites Drinkhacker and Film Racket.

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works, PCWorld

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works

Your message has been sent.

There was an error emailing this page.

Freelance Contributor, PCWorld | Feb 12, two thousand fifteen Three:00 AM PT

Editor’s note: To be fair to Google Hangouts, Skype has its problems, too. But it’s Google Hangouts that PCWorld’s editors have, for several years, attempted and largely failed to use for staff meetings with remote users. Just when we think we’ve figured out all the kinks, something else goes awry. So we feel our readers’ anguish on this one, and that’s why we asked videoconferencing accomplished Christopher Null how to cure five of its most notable headaches. Did we miss a Hangouts hangup that’s making your life helluva? Let us know in the comments.

1. Hangouts doesn’t work in Internet Explorer from the Windows eight Commence screen

Sorry, Metro fans! Launch your browser from the Windows desktop in order to use Chrome.

If you’re using the Commence screen to launch Internet Explorer, you may find that Hangouts simply doesn’t work. That’s because Hangouts requires a plug-in to operate on IE, and the full-screen, Metro-style version of IE doesn’t permit any plug-ins at all. To work around this, you have a duo of choices. You can run IE in Desktop mode by launching it from the desktop instead of the Embark screen, and then install Hangouts, or you can simply switch to another browser.

Two. If you run Hangouts on numerous devices, Hangouts sends notifications to everything that’s running, causing alert overcharge

Stem the flood of notifications by closing the Hangouts app or signing out.

If you have Hangouts open on your desktop and your phone at the same time, notifications will pop up on both devices, even if you aren’t actively engaged with one of them.

This is unluckily a known issue with Hangouts. It’s a ache for some users, while other users actually choose it to work this way.

If you’re getting too many notifications, a few solutions are available. Very first, you can sign out of Hangouts on devices or browsers form which you don’t want notifications, or close the app altogether.

On Android devices, you have a few more options. You can use Menu > Snooze notifications to suspend alerts on that device. Notifications can also be suspended indefinitely on a per-user basis by selecting the gear icon in a Hangout window and unchecking the Notifications box there.

Trio. Photos sent via Hangouts over MMS taken in portrait mode automatically rotate and turn into landscape photos

This is a specific issue related to Hangouts on certain Android phones when pictures are sent over MMS. Many users report that the problem is erratic and that clearing application data from the Android Applications Manager may help, at least some of the time.

The more reliable solution is not to use the camera within Hangouts to snap photos, but to take pictures separately, using the standard Android camera. When portrait photos are fastened from your photo library, they seem to come through with the decent rotation intact.

Four. Movie calls don’t work

While there are many potential reasons that Hangouts won’t initiate a movie call, here are a few of the most common troubleshooting tips.

Very first, the Chrome browser doesn’t require a plug-in for Hangouts to work… unless your company uses Google Apps, in which case you will still have to install the Hangouts plug-in to make movie calls. It’s also a good idea to install the Hangouts Chrome app, which adds Hangouts to the Chrome App Launcher, where you can initiate a fresh movie call.

Note that Hangouts does not support a handful of webcams, microphones, and audio devices. Presuming this is not your issue, make sure the correct audio gear is selected within Hangout’s settings menu. To find this menu, initiate a fresh movie, then click the gear icon.Hangouts may work better if you select specific devices for each of the three options instead of “Default.”

Eventually, in general, restarting your browser and/or your computer is also a good cure-all for any video-related problem within Hangouts.

Five. The Hangouts Browser plug-in won’t install (or vanishes)

Can’t install the Hangouts plug-in? Very first, make sure you aren’t running 64-bit Internet Explorer, as the plug-in is not supported on this browser. If you’re using Chrome, check chrome://plugins/ to see if the Google Talk plug-in is installed and enabled. (The name is a remnant of Hangouts’ prior incarnation.)

You can also attempt uninstalling this plug-in (instructions can be found here) and reinstalling it. Reminisce that the Hangouts app is different from the Hangouts plug-in. (You don’t need the former, but all browsers except Chrome require the latter.) If the Hangouts app has vanished from Chrome, simply re-enable it by re-downloading it from the Chrome Web Store.

Christopher Null is a veteran technology and business journalist. He contributes regularly to TechHive, PCWorld, and Wired, and operates the websites Drinkhacker and Film Racket.

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works, PCWorld

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works

Your message has been sent.

There was an error emailing this page.

Freelance Contributor, PCWorld | Feb 12, two thousand fifteen Three:00 AM PT

Editor’s note: To be fair to Google Hangouts, Skype has its problems, too. But it’s Google Hangouts that PCWorld’s editors have, for several years, attempted and largely failed to use for staff meetings with remote users. Just when we think we’ve figured out all the kinks, something else goes awry. So we feel our readers’ ache on this one, and that’s why we asked videoconferencing pro Christopher Null how to cure five of its most notable headaches. Did we miss a Hangouts hangup that’s making your life infernal? Let us know in the comments.

1. Hangouts doesn’t work in Internet Explorer from the Windows eight Embark screen

Sorry, Metro fans! Launch your browser from the Windows desktop in order to use Chrome.

If you’re using the Begin screen to launch Internet Explorer, you may find that Hangouts simply doesn’t work. That’s because Hangouts requires a plug-in to operate on IE, and the full-screen, Metro-style version of IE doesn’t permit any plug-ins at all. To work around this, you have a duo of choices. You can run IE in Desktop mode by launching it from the desktop instead of the Embark screen, and then install Hangouts, or you can simply switch to another browser.

Two. If you run Hangouts on numerous devices, Hangouts sends notifications to everything that’s running, causing alert overcharge

Stem the flood of notifications by closing the Hangouts app or signing out.

If you have Hangouts open on your desktop and your phone at the same time, notifications will pop up on both devices, even if you aren’t actively engaged with one of them.

This is unluckily a known issue with Hangouts. It’s a agony for some users, while other users actually choose it to work this way.

If you’re getting too many notifications, a few solutions are available. Very first, you can sign out of Hangouts on devices or browsers form which you don’t want notifications, or close the app altogether.

On Android devices, you have a few more options. You can use Menu > Snooze notifications to suspend alerts on that device. Notifications can also be suspended indefinitely on a per-user basis by selecting the gear icon in a Hangout window and unchecking the Notifications box there.

Three. Photos sent via Hangouts over MMS taken in portrait mode automatically rotate and turn into landscape photos

This is a specific issue related to Hangouts on certain Android phones when pictures are sent over MMS. Many users report that the problem is erratic and that clearing application data from the Android Applications Manager may help, at least some of the time.

The more reliable solution is not to use the camera within Hangouts to snap photos, but to take pictures separately, using the standard Android camera. When portrait photos are affixed from your photo library, they seem to come through with the decent rotation intact.

Four. Movie calls don’t work

While there are many potential reasons that Hangouts won’t initiate a movie call, here are a few of the most common troubleshooting tips.

Very first, the Chrome browser doesn’t require a plug-in for Hangouts to work… unless your company uses Google Apps, in which case you will still have to install the Hangouts plug-in to make movie calls. It’s also a good idea to install the Hangouts Chrome app, which adds Hangouts to the Chrome App Launcher, where you can initiate a fresh movie call.

Note that Hangouts does not support a handful of webcams, microphones, and audio devices. Presuming this is not your issue, make sure the correct audio gear is selected within Hangout’s settings menu. To find this menu, initiate a fresh movie, then click the gear icon.Hangouts may work better if you select specific devices for each of the three options instead of “Default.”

Eventually, in general, restarting your browser and/or your computer is also a good cure-all for any video-related problem within Hangouts.

Five. The Hangouts Browser plug-in won’t install (or vanishes)

Can’t install the Hangouts plug-in? Very first, make sure you aren’t running 64-bit Internet Explorer, as the plug-in is not supported on this browser. If you’re using Chrome, check chrome://plugins/ to see if the Google Talk plug-in is installed and enabled. (The name is a remnant of Hangouts’ prior incarnation.)

You can also attempt uninstalling this plug-in (instructions can be found here) and reinstalling it. Recall that the Hangouts app is different from the Hangouts plug-in. (You don’t need the former, but all browsers except Chrome require the latter.) If the Hangouts app has vanished from Chrome, simply re-enable it by re-downloading it from the Chrome Web Store.

Christopher Null is a veteran technology and business journalist. He contributes regularly to TechHive, PCWorld, and Wired, and operates the websites Drinkhacker and Film Racket.

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works, PCWorld

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works

Your message has been sent.

There was an error emailing this page.

Freelance Contributor, PCWorld | Feb 12, two thousand fifteen Trio:00 AM PT

Editor’s note: To be fair to Google Hangouts, Skype has its problems, too. But it’s Google Hangouts that PCWorld’s editors have, for several years, attempted and largely failed to use for staff meetings with remote users. Just when we think we’ve figured out all the kinks, something else goes awry. So we feel our readers’ agony on this one, and that’s why we asked videoconferencing experienced Christopher Null how to cure five of its most notable headaches. Did we miss a Hangouts hangup that’s making your life devilish? Let us know in the comments.

1. Hangouts doesn’t work in Internet Explorer from the Windows eight Embark screen

Sorry, Metro fans! Launch your browser from the Windows desktop in order to use Chrome.

If you’re using the Commence screen to launch Internet Explorer, you may find that Hangouts simply doesn’t work. That’s because Hangouts requires a plug-in to operate on IE, and the full-screen, Metro-style version of IE doesn’t permit any plug-ins at all. To work around this, you have a duo of choices. You can run IE in Desktop mode by launching it from the desktop instead of the Commence screen, and then install Hangouts, or you can simply switch to another browser.

Two. If you run Hangouts on numerous devices, Hangouts sends notifications to everything that’s running, causing alert overcharge

Stem the flood of notifications by closing the Hangouts app or signing out.

If you have Hangouts open on your desktop and your phone at the same time, notifications will pop up on both devices, even if you aren’t actively engaged with one of them.

This is unluckily a known issue with Hangouts. It’s a anguish for some users, while other users actually choose it to work this way.

If you’re getting too many notifications, a few solutions are available. Very first, you can sign out of Hangouts on devices or browsers form which you don’t want notifications, or close the app altogether.

On Android devices, you have a few more options. You can use Menu > Snooze notifications to suspend alerts on that device. Notifications can also be suspended indefinitely on a per-user basis by selecting the gear icon in a Hangout window and unchecking the Notifications box there.

Three. Photos sent via Hangouts over MMS taken in portrait mode automatically rotate and turn into landscape photos

This is a specific issue related to Hangouts on certain Android phones when pictures are sent over MMS. Many users report that the problem is erratic and that clearing application data from the Android Applications Manager may help, at least some of the time.

The more reliable solution is not to use the camera within Hangouts to snap photos, but to take pictures separately, using the standard Android camera. When portrait photos are linked from your photo library, they seem to come through with the decent rotation intact.

Four. Movie calls don’t work

While there are many potential reasons that Hangouts won’t initiate a movie call, here are a few of the most common troubleshooting tips.

Very first, the Chrome browser doesn’t require a plug-in for Hangouts to work… unless your company uses Google Apps, in which case you will still have to install the Hangouts plug-in to make movie calls. It’s also a good idea to install the Hangouts Chrome app, which adds Hangouts to the Chrome App Launcher, where you can initiate a fresh movie call.

Note that Hangouts does not support a handful of webcams, microphones, and audio devices. Presuming this is not your issue, make sure the correct audio gear is selected within Hangout’s settings menu. To find this menu, initiate a fresh movie, then click the gear icon.Hangouts may work better if you select specific devices for each of the three options instead of “Default.”

Eventually, in general, restarting your browser and/or your computer is also a good cure-all for any video-related problem within Hangouts.

Five. The Hangouts Browser plug-in won’t install (or vanishes)

Can’t install the Hangouts plug-in? Very first, make sure you aren’t running 64-bit Internet Explorer, as the plug-in is not supported on this browser. If you’re using Chrome, check chrome://plugins/ to see if the Google Talk plug-in is installed and enabled. (The name is a remnant of Hangouts’ prior incarnation.)

You can also attempt uninstalling this plug-in (instructions can be found here) and reinstalling it. Reminisce that the Hangouts app is different from the Hangouts plug-in. (You don’t need the former, but all browsers except Chrome require the latter.) If the Hangouts app has vanished from Chrome, simply re-enable it by re-downloading it from the Chrome Web Store.

Christopher Null is a veteran technology and business journalist. He contributes regularly to TechHive, PCWorld, and Wired, and operates the websites Drinkhacker and Film Racket.

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works, PCWorld

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works

Your message has been sent.

There was an error emailing this page.

Freelance Contributor, PCWorld | Feb 12, two thousand fifteen Three:00 AM PT

Editor’s note: To be fair to Google Hangouts, Skype has its problems, too. But it’s Google Hangouts that PCWorld’s editors have, for several years, attempted and largely failed to use for staff meetings with remote users. Just when we think we’ve figured out all the kinks, something else goes awry. So we feel our readers’ anguish on this one, and that’s why we asked videoconferencing accomplished Christopher Null how to cure five of its most notable headaches. Did we miss a Hangouts hangup that’s making your life helluva? Let us know in the comments.

1. Hangouts doesn’t work in Internet Explorer from the Windows eight Begin screen

Sorry, Metro fans! Launch your browser from the Windows desktop in order to use Chrome.

If you’re using the Commence screen to launch Internet Explorer, you may find that Hangouts simply doesn’t work. That’s because Hangouts requires a plug-in to operate on IE, and the full-screen, Metro-style version of IE doesn’t permit any plug-ins at all. To work around this, you have a duo of choices. You can run IE in Desktop mode by launching it from the desktop instead of the Begin screen, and then install Hangouts, or you can simply switch to another browser.

Two. If you run Hangouts on numerous devices, Hangouts sends notifications to everything that’s running, causing alert overcharge

Stem the flood of notifications by closing the Hangouts app or signing out.

If you have Hangouts open on your desktop and your phone at the same time, notifications will pop up on both devices, even if you aren’t actively engaged with one of them.

This is unluckily a known issue with Hangouts. It’s a anguish for some users, while other users actually choose it to work this way.

If you’re getting too many notifications, a few solutions are available. Very first, you can sign out of Hangouts on devices or browsers form which you don’t want notifications, or close the app altogether.

On Android devices, you have a few more options. You can use Menu > Snooze notifications to suspend alerts on that device. Notifications can also be suspended indefinitely on a per-user basis by selecting the gear icon in a Hangout window and unchecking the Notifications box there.

Three. Photos sent via Hangouts over MMS taken in portrait mode automatically rotate and turn into landscape photos

This is a specific issue related to Hangouts on certain Android phones when pictures are sent over MMS. Many users report that the problem is erratic and that clearing application data from the Android Applications Manager may help, at least some of the time.

The more reliable solution is not to use the camera within Hangouts to snap photos, but to take pictures separately, using the standard Android camera. When portrait photos are fastened from your photo library, they seem to come through with the decent rotation intact.

Four. Movie calls don’t work

While there are many potential reasons that Hangouts won’t initiate a movie call, here are a few of the most common troubleshooting tips.

Very first, the Chrome browser doesn’t require a plug-in for Hangouts to work… unless your company uses Google Apps, in which case you will still have to install the Hangouts plug-in to make movie calls. It’s also a good idea to install the Hangouts Chrome app, which adds Hangouts to the Chrome App Launcher, where you can initiate a fresh movie call.

Note that Hangouts does not support a handful of webcams, microphones, and audio devices. Presuming this is not your issue, make sure the correct audio gear is selected within Hangout’s settings menu. To find this menu, initiate a fresh movie, then click the gear icon.Hangouts may work better if you select specific devices for each of the three options instead of “Default.”

Eventually, in general, restarting your browser and/or your computer is also a good cure-all for any video-related problem within Hangouts.

Five. The Hangouts Browser plug-in won’t install (or vanishes)

Can’t install the Hangouts plug-in? Very first, make sure you aren’t running 64-bit Internet Explorer, as the plug-in is not supported on this browser. If you’re using Chrome, check chrome://plugins/ to see if the Google Talk plug-in is installed and enabled. (The name is a remnant of Hangouts’ prior incarnation.)

You can also attempt uninstalling this plug-in (instructions can be found here) and reinstalling it. Reminisce that the Hangouts app is different from the Hangouts plug-in. (You don’t need the former, but all browsers except Chrome require the latter.) If the Hangouts app has vanished from Chrome, simply re-enable it by re-downloading it from the Chrome Web Store.

Christopher Null is a veteran technology and business journalist. He contributes regularly to TechHive, PCWorld, and Wired, and operates the websites Drinkhacker and Film Racket.

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works, PCWorld

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works

Your message has been sent.

There was an error emailing this page.

Freelance Contributor, PCWorld | Feb 12, two thousand fifteen Three:00 AM PT

Editor’s note: To be fair to Google Hangouts, Skype has its problems, too. But it’s Google Hangouts that PCWorld’s editors have, for several years, attempted and largely failed to use for staff meetings with remote users. Just when we think we’ve figured out all the kinks, something else goes awry. So we feel our readers’ anguish on this one, and that’s why we asked videoconferencing experienced Christopher Null how to cure five of its most notable headaches. Did we miss a Hangouts hangup that’s making your life devilish? Let us know in the comments.

1. Hangouts doesn’t work in Internet Explorer from the Windows eight Begin screen

Sorry, Metro fans! Launch your browser from the Windows desktop in order to use Chrome.

If you’re using the Commence screen to launch Internet Explorer, you may find that Hangouts simply doesn’t work. That’s because Hangouts requires a plug-in to operate on IE, and the full-screen, Metro-style version of IE doesn’t permit any plug-ins at all. To work around this, you have a duo of choices. You can run IE in Desktop mode by launching it from the desktop instead of the Begin screen, and then install Hangouts, or you can simply switch to another browser.

Two. If you run Hangouts on numerous devices, Hangouts sends notifications to everything that’s running, causing alert overcharge

Stem the flood of notifications by closing the Hangouts app or signing out.

If you have Hangouts open on your desktop and your phone at the same time, notifications will pop up on both devices, even if you aren’t actively engaged with one of them.

This is unluckily a known issue with Hangouts. It’s a anguish for some users, while other users actually choose it to work this way.

If you’re getting too many notifications, a few solutions are available. Very first, you can sign out of Hangouts on devices or browsers form which you don’t want notifications, or close the app altogether.

On Android devices, you have a few more options. You can use Menu > Snooze notifications to suspend alerts on that device. Notifications can also be suspended indefinitely on a per-user basis by selecting the gear icon in a Hangout window and unchecking the Notifications box there.

Trio. Photos sent via Hangouts over MMS taken in portrait mode automatically rotate and turn into landscape photos

This is a specific issue related to Hangouts on certain Android phones when pictures are sent over MMS. Many users report that the problem is erratic and that clearing application data from the Android Applications Manager may help, at least some of the time.

The more reliable solution is not to use the camera within Hangouts to snap photos, but to take pictures separately, using the standard Android camera. When portrait photos are linked from your photo library, they seem to come through with the decent rotation intact.

Four. Movie calls don’t work

While there are many potential reasons that Hangouts won’t initiate a movie call, here are a few of the most common troubleshooting tips.

Very first, the Chrome browser doesn’t require a plug-in for Hangouts to work… unless your company uses Google Apps, in which case you will still have to install the Hangouts plug-in to make movie calls. It’s also a good idea to install the Hangouts Chrome app, which adds Hangouts to the Chrome App Launcher, where you can initiate a fresh movie call.

Note that Hangouts does not support a handful of webcams, microphones, and audio devices. Presuming this is not your issue, make sure the correct audio gear is selected within Hangout’s settings menu. To find this menu, initiate a fresh movie, then click the gear icon.Hangouts may work better if you select specific devices for each of the three options instead of “Default.”

Ultimately, in general, restarting your browser and/or your computer is also a good cure-all for any video-related problem within Hangouts.

Five. The Hangouts Browser plug-in won’t install (or vanishes)

Can’t install the Hangouts plug-in? Very first, make sure you aren’t running 64-bit Internet Explorer, as the plug-in is not supported on this browser. If you’re using Chrome, check chrome://plugins/ to see if the Google Talk plug-in is installed and enabled. (The name is a remnant of Hangouts’ prior incarnation.)

You can also attempt uninstalling this plug-in (instructions can be found here) and reinstalling it. Reminisce that the Hangouts app is different from the Hangouts plug-in. (You don’t need the former, but all browsers except Chrome require the latter.) If the Hangouts app has vanished from Chrome, simply re-enable it by re-downloading it from the Chrome Web Store.

Christopher Null is a veteran technology and business journalist. He contributes regularly to TechHive, PCWorld, and Wired, and operates the websites Drinkhacker and Film Racket.

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works, PCWorld

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works

Your message has been sent.

There was an error emailing this page.

Freelance Contributor, PCWorld | Feb 12, two thousand fifteen Three:00 AM PT

Editor’s note: To be fair to Google Hangouts, Skype has its problems, too. But it’s Google Hangouts that PCWorld’s editors have, for several years, attempted and largely failed to use for staff meetings with remote users. Just when we think we’ve figured out all the kinks, something else goes awry. So we feel our readers’ agony on this one, and that’s why we asked videoconferencing experienced Christopher Null how to cure five of its most notable headaches. Did we miss a Hangouts hangup that’s making your life infernal? Let us know in the comments.

1. Hangouts doesn’t work in Internet Explorer from the Windows eight Commence screen

Sorry, Metro fans! Launch your browser from the Windows desktop in order to use Chrome.

If you’re using the Embark screen to launch Internet Explorer, you may find that Hangouts simply doesn’t work. That’s because Hangouts requires a plug-in to operate on IE, and the full-screen, Metro-style version of IE doesn’t permit any plug-ins at all. To work around this, you have a duo of choices. You can run IE in Desktop mode by launching it from the desktop instead of the Begin screen, and then install Hangouts, or you can simply switch to another browser.

Two. If you run Hangouts on numerous devices, Hangouts sends notifications to everything that’s running, causing alert overcharge

Stem the flood of notifications by closing the Hangouts app or signing out.

If you have Hangouts open on your desktop and your phone at the same time, notifications will pop up on both devices, even if you aren’t actively engaged with one of them.

This is unluckily a known issue with Hangouts. It’s a agony for some users, while other users actually choose it to work this way.

If you’re getting too many notifications, a few solutions are available. Very first, you can sign out of Hangouts on devices or browsers form which you don’t want notifications, or close the app altogether.

On Android devices, you have a few more options. You can use Menu > Snooze notifications to suspend alerts on that device. Notifications can also be suspended indefinitely on a per-user basis by selecting the gear icon in a Hangout window and unchecking the Notifications box there.

Three. Photos sent via Hangouts over MMS taken in portrait mode automatically rotate and turn into landscape photos

This is a specific issue related to Hangouts on certain Android phones when pictures are sent over MMS. Many users report that the problem is erratic and that clearing application data from the Android Applications Manager may help, at least some of the time.

The more reliable solution is not to use the camera within Hangouts to snap photos, but to take pictures separately, using the standard Android camera. When portrait photos are linked from your photo library, they seem to come through with the decent rotation intact.

Four. Movie calls don’t work

While there are many potential reasons that Hangouts won’t initiate a movie call, here are a few of the most common troubleshooting tips.

Very first, the Chrome browser doesn’t require a plug-in for Hangouts to work… unless your company uses Google Apps, in which case you will still have to install the Hangouts plug-in to make movie calls. It’s also a good idea to install the Hangouts Chrome app, which adds Hangouts to the Chrome App Launcher, where you can initiate a fresh movie call.

Note that Hangouts does not support a handful of webcams, microphones, and audio devices. Presuming this is not your issue, make sure the correct audio gear is selected within Hangout’s settings menu. To find this menu, initiate a fresh movie, then click the gear icon.Hangouts may work better if you select specific devices for each of the three options instead of “Default.”

Eventually, in general, restarting your browser and/or your computer is also a good cure-all for any video-related problem within Hangouts.

Five. The Hangouts Browser plug-in won’t install (or vanishes)

Can’t install the Hangouts plug-in? Very first, make sure you aren’t running 64-bit Internet Explorer, as the plug-in is not supported on this browser. If you’re using Chrome, check chrome://plugins/ to see if the Google Talk plug-in is installed and enabled. (The name is a remnant of Hangouts’ prior incarnation.)

You can also attempt uninstalling this plug-in (instructions can be found here) and reinstalling it. Reminisce that the Hangouts app is different from the Hangouts plug-in. (You don’t need the former, but all browsers except Chrome require the latter.) If the Hangouts app has vanished from Chrome, simply re-enable it by re-downloading it from the Chrome Web Store.

Christopher Null is a veteran technology and business journalist. He contributes regularly to TechHive, PCWorld, and Wired, and operates the websites Drinkhacker and Film Racket.

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works, PCWorld

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works

Your message has been sent.

There was an error emailing this page.

Freelance Contributor, PCWorld | Feb 12, two thousand fifteen Three:00 AM PT

Editor’s note: To be fair to Google Hangouts, Skype has its problems, too. But it’s Google Hangouts that PCWorld’s editors have, for several years, attempted and largely failed to use for staff meetings with remote users. Just when we think we’ve figured out all the kinks, something else goes awry. So we feel our readers’ agony on this one, and that’s why we asked videoconferencing pro Christopher Null how to cure five of its most notable headaches. Did we miss a Hangouts hangup that’s making your life infernal? Let us know in the comments.

1. Hangouts doesn’t work in Internet Explorer from the Windows eight Begin screen

Sorry, Metro fans! Launch your browser from the Windows desktop in order to use Chrome.

If you’re using the Begin screen to launch Internet Explorer, you may find that Hangouts simply doesn’t work. That’s because Hangouts requires a plug-in to operate on IE, and the full-screen, Metro-style version of IE doesn’t permit any plug-ins at all. To work around this, you have a duo of choices. You can run IE in Desktop mode by launching it from the desktop instead of the Begin screen, and then install Hangouts, or you can simply switch to another browser.

Two. If you run Hangouts on numerous devices, Hangouts sends notifications to everything that’s running, causing alert overcharge

Stem the flood of notifications by closing the Hangouts app or signing out.

If you have Hangouts open on your desktop and your phone at the same time, notifications will pop up on both devices, even if you aren’t actively engaged with one of them.

This is unluckily a known issue with Hangouts. It’s a ache for some users, while other users actually choose it to work this way.

If you’re getting too many notifications, a few solutions are available. Very first, you can sign out of Hangouts on devices or browsers form which you don’t want notifications, or close the app altogether.

On Android devices, you have a few more options. You can use Menu > Snooze notifications to suspend alerts on that device. Notifications can also be suspended indefinitely on a per-user basis by selecting the gear icon in a Hangout window and unchecking the Notifications box there.

Trio. Photos sent via Hangouts over MMS taken in portrait mode automatically rotate and turn into landscape photos

This is a specific issue related to Hangouts on certain Android phones when pictures are sent over MMS. Many users report that the problem is erratic and that clearing application data from the Android Applications Manager may help, at least some of the time.

The more reliable solution is not to use the camera within Hangouts to snap photos, but to take pictures separately, using the standard Android camera. When portrait photos are fastened from your photo library, they seem to come through with the decent rotation intact.

Four. Movie calls don’t work

While there are many potential reasons that Hangouts won’t initiate a movie call, here are a few of the most common troubleshooting tips.

Very first, the Chrome browser doesn’t require a plug-in for Hangouts to work… unless your company uses Google Apps, in which case you will still have to install the Hangouts plug-in to make movie calls. It’s also a good idea to install the Hangouts Chrome app, which adds Hangouts to the Chrome App Launcher, where you can initiate a fresh movie call.

Note that Hangouts does not support a handful of webcams, microphones, and audio devices. Presuming this is not your issue, make sure the correct audio gear is selected within Hangout’s settings menu. To find this menu, initiate a fresh movie, then click the gear icon.Hangouts may work better if you select specific devices for each of the three options instead of “Default.”

Ultimately, in general, restarting your browser and/or your computer is also a good cure-all for any video-related problem within Hangouts.

Five. The Hangouts Browser plug-in won’t install (or vanishes)

Can’t install the Hangouts plug-in? Very first, make sure you aren’t running 64-bit Internet Explorer, as the plug-in is not supported on this browser. If you’re using Chrome, check chrome://plugins/ to see if the Google Talk plug-in is installed and enabled. (The name is a remnant of Hangouts’ prior incarnation.)

You can also attempt uninstalling this plug-in (instructions can be found here) and reinstalling it. Recall that the Hangouts app is different from the Hangouts plug-in. (You don’t need the former, but all browsers except Chrome require the latter.) If the Hangouts app has vanished from Chrome, simply re-enable it by re-downloading it from the Chrome Web Store.

Christopher Null is a veteran technology and business journalist. He contributes regularly to TechHive, PCWorld, and Wired, and operates the websites Drinkhacker and Film Racket.

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works, PCWorld

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works

Your message has been sent.

There was an error emailing this page.

Freelance Contributor, PCWorld | Feb 12, two thousand fifteen Trio:00 AM PT

Editor’s note: To be fair to Google Hangouts, Skype has its problems, too. But it’s Google Hangouts that PCWorld’s editors have, for several years, attempted and largely failed to use for staff meetings with remote users. Just when we think we’ve figured out all the kinks, something else goes awry. So we feel our readers’ agony on this one, and that’s why we asked videoconferencing accomplished Christopher Null how to cure five of its most notable headaches. Did we miss a Hangouts hangup that’s making your life diabolical? Let us know in the comments.

1. Hangouts doesn’t work in Internet Explorer from the Windows eight Commence screen

Sorry, Metro fans! Launch your browser from the Windows desktop in order to use Chrome.

If you’re using the Commence screen to launch Internet Explorer, you may find that Hangouts simply doesn’t work. That’s because Hangouts requires a plug-in to operate on IE, and the full-screen, Metro-style version of IE doesn’t permit any plug-ins at all. To work around this, you have a duo of choices. You can run IE in Desktop mode by launching it from the desktop instead of the Embark screen, and then install Hangouts, or you can simply switch to another browser.

Two. If you run Hangouts on numerous devices, Hangouts sends notifications to everything that’s running, causing alert overcharge

Stem the flood of notifications by closing the Hangouts app or signing out.

If you have Hangouts open on your desktop and your phone at the same time, notifications will pop up on both devices, even if you aren’t actively engaged with one of them.

This is unluckily a known issue with Hangouts. It’s a agony for some users, while other users actually choose it to work this way.

If you’re getting too many notifications, a few solutions are available. Very first, you can sign out of Hangouts on devices or browsers form which you don’t want notifications, or close the app altogether.

On Android devices, you have a few more options. You can use Menu > Snooze notifications to suspend alerts on that device. Notifications can also be suspended indefinitely on a per-user basis by selecting the gear icon in a Hangout window and unchecking the Notifications box there.

Three. Photos sent via Hangouts over MMS taken in portrait mode automatically rotate and turn into landscape photos

This is a specific issue related to Hangouts on certain Android phones when pictures are sent over MMS. Many users report that the problem is erratic and that clearing application data from the Android Applications Manager may help, at least some of the time.

The more reliable solution is not to use the camera within Hangouts to snap photos, but to take pictures separately, using the standard Android camera. When portrait photos are affixed from your photo library, they seem to come through with the decent rotation intact.

Four. Movie calls don’t work

While there are many potential reasons that Hangouts won’t initiate a movie call, here are a few of the most common troubleshooting tips.

Very first, the Chrome browser doesn’t require a plug-in for Hangouts to work… unless your company uses Google Apps, in which case you will still have to install the Hangouts plug-in to make movie calls. It’s also a good idea to install the Hangouts Chrome app, which adds Hangouts to the Chrome App Launcher, where you can initiate a fresh movie call.

Note that Hangouts does not support a handful of webcams, microphones, and audio devices. Presuming this is not your issue, make sure the correct audio gear is selected within Hangout’s settings menu. To find this menu, initiate a fresh movie, then click the gear icon.Hangouts may work better if you select specific devices for each of the three options instead of “Default.”

Eventually, in general, restarting your browser and/or your computer is also a good cure-all for any video-related problem within Hangouts.

Five. The Hangouts Browser plug-in won’t install (or vanishes)

Can’t install the Hangouts plug-in? Very first, make sure you aren’t running 64-bit Internet Explorer, as the plug-in is not supported on this browser. If you’re using Chrome, check chrome://plugins/ to see if the Google Talk plug-in is installed and enabled. (The name is a remnant of Hangouts’ prior incarnation.)

You can also attempt uninstalling this plug-in (instructions can be found here) and reinstalling it. Reminisce that the Hangouts app is different from the Hangouts plug-in. (You don’t need the former, but all browsers except Chrome require the latter.) If the Hangouts app has vanished from Chrome, simply re-enable it by re-downloading it from the Chrome Web Store.

Christopher Null is a veteran technology and business journalist. He contributes regularly to TechHive, PCWorld, and Wired, and operates the websites Drinkhacker and Film Racket.

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works, PCWorld

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works

Your message has been sent.

There was an error emailing this page.

Freelance Contributor, PCWorld | Feb 12, two thousand fifteen Trio:00 AM PT

Editor’s note: To be fair to Google Hangouts, Skype has its problems, too. But it’s Google Hangouts that PCWorld’s editors have, for several years, attempted and largely failed to use for staff meetings with remote users. Just when we think we’ve figured out all the kinks, something else goes awry. So we feel our readers’ agony on this one, and that’s why we asked videoconferencing accomplished Christopher Null how to cure five of its most notable headaches. Did we miss a Hangouts hangup that’s making your life infernal? Let us know in the comments.

1. Hangouts doesn’t work in Internet Explorer from the Windows eight Embark screen

Sorry, Metro fans! Launch your browser from the Windows desktop in order to use Chrome.

If you’re using the Begin screen to launch Internet Explorer, you may find that Hangouts simply doesn’t work. That’s because Hangouts requires a plug-in to operate on IE, and the full-screen, Metro-style version of IE doesn’t permit any plug-ins at all. To work around this, you have a duo of choices. You can run IE in Desktop mode by launching it from the desktop instead of the Commence screen, and then install Hangouts, or you can simply switch to another browser.

Two. If you run Hangouts on numerous devices, Hangouts sends notifications to everything that’s running, causing alert overcharge

Stem the flood of notifications by closing the Hangouts app or signing out.

If you have Hangouts open on your desktop and your phone at the same time, notifications will pop up on both devices, even if you aren’t actively engaged with one of them.

This is unluckily a known issue with Hangouts. It’s a ache for some users, while other users actually choose it to work this way.

If you’re getting too many notifications, a few solutions are available. Very first, you can sign out of Hangouts on devices or browsers form which you don’t want notifications, or close the app altogether.

On Android devices, you have a few more options. You can use Menu > Snooze notifications to suspend alerts on that device. Notifications can also be suspended indefinitely on a per-user basis by selecting the gear icon in a Hangout window and unchecking the Notifications box there.

Trio. Photos sent via Hangouts over MMS taken in portrait mode automatically rotate and turn into landscape photos

This is a specific issue related to Hangouts on certain Android phones when pictures are sent over MMS. Many users report that the problem is erratic and that clearing application data from the Android Applications Manager may help, at least some of the time.

The more reliable solution is not to use the camera within Hangouts to snap photos, but to take pictures separately, using the standard Android camera. When portrait photos are fastened from your photo library, they seem to come through with the decent rotation intact.

Four. Movie calls don’t work

While there are many potential reasons that Hangouts won’t initiate a movie call, here are a few of the most common troubleshooting tips.

Very first, the Chrome browser doesn’t require a plug-in for Hangouts to work… unless your company uses Google Apps, in which case you will still have to install the Hangouts plug-in to make movie calls. It’s also a good idea to install the Hangouts Chrome app, which adds Hangouts to the Chrome App Launcher, where you can initiate a fresh movie call.

Note that Hangouts does not support a handful of webcams, microphones, and audio devices. Presuming this is not your issue, make sure the correct audio gear is selected within Hangout’s settings menu. To find this menu, initiate a fresh movie, then click the gear icon.Hangouts may work better if you select specific devices for each of the three options instead of “Default.”

Ultimately, in general, restarting your browser and/or your computer is also a good cure-all for any video-related problem within Hangouts.

Five. The Hangouts Browser plug-in won’t install (or vanishes)

Can’t install the Hangouts plug-in? Very first, make sure you aren’t running 64-bit Internet Explorer, as the plug-in is not supported on this browser. If you’re using Chrome, check chrome://plugins/ to see if the Google Talk plug-in is installed and enabled. (The name is a remnant of Hangouts’ prior incarnation.)

You can also attempt uninstalling this plug-in (instructions can be found here) and reinstalling it. Reminisce that the Hangouts app is different from the Hangouts plug-in. (You don’t need the former, but all browsers except Chrome require the latter.) If the Hangouts app has vanished from Chrome, simply re-enable it by re-downloading it from the Chrome Web Store.

Christopher Null is a veteran technology and business journalist. He contributes regularly to TechHive, PCWorld, and Wired, and operates the websites Drinkhacker and Film Racket.

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works, PCWorld

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works

Your message has been sent.

There was an error emailing this page.

Freelance Contributor, PCWorld | Feb 12, two thousand fifteen Trio:00 AM PT

Editor’s note: To be fair to Google Hangouts, Skype has its problems, too. But it’s Google Hangouts that PCWorld’s editors have, for several years, attempted and largely failed to use for staff meetings with remote users. Just when we think we’ve figured out all the kinks, something else goes awry. So we feel our readers’ ache on this one, and that’s why we asked videoconferencing experienced Christopher Null how to cure five of its most notable headaches. Did we miss a Hangouts hangup that’s making your life devilish? Let us know in the comments.

1. Hangouts doesn’t work in Internet Explorer from the Windows eight Embark screen

Sorry, Metro fans! Launch your browser from the Windows desktop in order to use Chrome.

If you’re using the Embark screen to launch Internet Explorer, you may find that Hangouts simply doesn’t work. That’s because Hangouts requires a plug-in to operate on IE, and the full-screen, Metro-style version of IE doesn’t permit any plug-ins at all. To work around this, you have a duo of choices. You can run IE in Desktop mode by launching it from the desktop instead of the Commence screen, and then install Hangouts, or you can simply switch to another browser.

Two. If you run Hangouts on numerous devices, Hangouts sends notifications to everything that’s running, causing alert overcharge

Stem the flood of notifications by closing the Hangouts app or signing out.

If you have Hangouts open on your desktop and your phone at the same time, notifications will pop up on both devices, even if you aren’t actively engaged with one of them.

This is unluckily a known issue with Hangouts. It’s a anguish for some users, while other users actually choose it to work this way.

If you’re getting too many notifications, a few solutions are available. Very first, you can sign out of Hangouts on devices or browsers form which you don’t want notifications, or close the app altogether.

On Android devices, you have a few more options. You can use Menu > Snooze notifications to suspend alerts on that device. Notifications can also be suspended indefinitely on a per-user basis by selecting the gear icon in a Hangout window and unchecking the Notifications box there.

Three. Photos sent via Hangouts over MMS taken in portrait mode automatically rotate and turn into landscape photos

This is a specific issue related to Hangouts on certain Android phones when pictures are sent over MMS. Many users report that the problem is erratic and that clearing application data from the Android Applications Manager may help, at least some of the time.

The more reliable solution is not to use the camera within Hangouts to snap photos, but to take pictures separately, using the standard Android camera. When portrait photos are fastened from your photo library, they seem to come through with the decent rotation intact.

Four. Movie calls don’t work

While there are many potential reasons that Hangouts won’t initiate a movie call, here are a few of the most common troubleshooting tips.

Very first, the Chrome browser doesn’t require a plug-in for Hangouts to work… unless your company uses Google Apps, in which case you will still have to install the Hangouts plug-in to make movie calls. It’s also a good idea to install the Hangouts Chrome app, which adds Hangouts to the Chrome App Launcher, where you can initiate a fresh movie call.

Note that Hangouts does not support a handful of webcams, microphones, and audio devices. Presuming this is not your issue, make sure the correct audio gear is selected within Hangout’s settings menu. To find this menu, initiate a fresh movie, then click the gear icon.Hangouts may work better if you select specific devices for each of the three options instead of “Default.”

Eventually, in general, restarting your browser and/or your computer is also a good cure-all for any video-related problem within Hangouts.

Five. The Hangouts Browser plug-in won’t install (or vanishes)

Can’t install the Hangouts plug-in? Very first, make sure you aren’t running 64-bit Internet Explorer, as the plug-in is not supported on this browser. If you’re using Chrome, check chrome://plugins/ to see if the Google Talk plug-in is installed and enabled. (The name is a remnant of Hangouts’ prior incarnation.)

You can also attempt uninstalling this plug-in (instructions can be found here) and reinstalling it. Recall that the Hangouts app is different from the Hangouts plug-in. (You don’t need the former, but all browsers except Chrome require the latter.) If the Hangouts app has vanished from Chrome, simply re-enable it by re-downloading it from the Chrome Web Store.

Christopher Null is a veteran technology and business journalist. He contributes regularly to TechHive, PCWorld, and Wired, and operates the websites Drinkhacker and Film Racket.

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works, PCWorld

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works

Your message has been sent.

There was an error emailing this page.

Freelance Contributor, PCWorld | Feb 12, two thousand fifteen Trio:00 AM PT

Editor’s note: To be fair to Google Hangouts, Skype has its problems, too. But it’s Google Hangouts that PCWorld’s editors have, for several years, attempted and largely failed to use for staff meetings with remote users. Just when we think we’ve figured out all the kinks, something else goes awry. So we feel our readers’ agony on this one, and that’s why we asked videoconferencing pro Christopher Null how to cure five of its most notable headaches. Did we miss a Hangouts hangup that’s making your life devilish? Let us know in the comments.

1. Hangouts doesn’t work in Internet Explorer from the Windows eight Commence screen

Sorry, Metro fans! Launch your browser from the Windows desktop in order to use Chrome.

If you’re using the Embark screen to launch Internet Explorer, you may find that Hangouts simply doesn’t work. That’s because Hangouts requires a plug-in to operate on IE, and the full-screen, Metro-style version of IE doesn’t permit any plug-ins at all. To work around this, you have a duo of choices. You can run IE in Desktop mode by launching it from the desktop instead of the Commence screen, and then install Hangouts, or you can simply switch to another browser.

Two. If you run Hangouts on numerous devices, Hangouts sends notifications to everything that’s running, causing alert overcharge

Stem the flood of notifications by closing the Hangouts app or signing out.

If you have Hangouts open on your desktop and your phone at the same time, notifications will pop up on both devices, even if you aren’t actively engaged with one of them.

This is unluckily a known issue with Hangouts. It’s a anguish for some users, while other users actually choose it to work this way.

If you’re getting too many notifications, a few solutions are available. Very first, you can sign out of Hangouts on devices or browsers form which you don’t want notifications, or close the app altogether.

On Android devices, you have a few more options. You can use Menu > Snooze notifications to suspend alerts on that device. Notifications can also be suspended indefinitely on a per-user basis by selecting the gear icon in a Hangout window and unchecking the Notifications box there.

Trio. Photos sent via Hangouts over MMS taken in portrait mode automatically rotate and turn into landscape photos

This is a specific issue related to Hangouts on certain Android phones when pictures are sent over MMS. Many users report that the problem is erratic and that clearing application data from the Android Applications Manager may help, at least some of the time.

The more reliable solution is not to use the camera within Hangouts to snap photos, but to take pictures separately, using the standard Android camera. When portrait photos are affixed from your photo library, they seem to come through with the decent rotation intact.

Four. Movie calls don’t work

While there are many potential reasons that Hangouts won’t initiate a movie call, here are a few of the most common troubleshooting tips.

Very first, the Chrome browser doesn’t require a plug-in for Hangouts to work… unless your company uses Google Apps, in which case you will still have to install the Hangouts plug-in to make movie calls. It’s also a good idea to install the Hangouts Chrome app, which adds Hangouts to the Chrome App Launcher, where you can initiate a fresh movie call.

Note that Hangouts does not support a handful of webcams, microphones, and audio devices. Presuming this is not your issue, make sure the correct audio gear is selected within Hangout’s settings menu. To find this menu, initiate a fresh movie, then click the gear icon.Hangouts may work better if you select specific devices for each of the three options instead of “Default.”

Eventually, in general, restarting your browser and/or your computer is also a good cure-all for any video-related problem within Hangouts.

Five. The Hangouts Browser plug-in won’t install (or vanishes)

Can’t install the Hangouts plug-in? Very first, make sure you aren’t running 64-bit Internet Explorer, as the plug-in is not supported on this browser. If you’re using Chrome, check chrome://plugins/ to see if the Google Talk plug-in is installed and enabled. (The name is a remnant of Hangouts’ prior incarnation.)

You can also attempt uninstalling this plug-in (instructions can be found here) and reinstalling it. Recall that the Hangouts app is different from the Hangouts plug-in. (You don’t need the former, but all browsers except Chrome require the latter.) If the Hangouts app has vanished from Chrome, simply re-enable it by re-downloading it from the Chrome Web Store.

Christopher Null is a veteran technology and business journalist. He contributes regularly to TechHive, PCWorld, and Wired, and operates the websites Drinkhacker and Film Racket.

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works, PCWorld

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works

Your message has been sent.

There was an error emailing this page.

Freelance Contributor, PCWorld | Feb 12, two thousand fifteen Three:00 AM PT

Editor’s note: To be fair to Google Hangouts, Skype has its problems, too. But it’s Google Hangouts that PCWorld’s editors have, for several years, attempted and largely failed to use for staff meetings with remote users. Just when we think we’ve figured out all the kinks, something else goes awry. So we feel our readers’ anguish on this one, and that’s why we asked videoconferencing experienced Christopher Null how to cure five of its most notable headaches. Did we miss a Hangouts hangup that’s making your life infernal? Let us know in the comments.

1. Hangouts doesn’t work in Internet Explorer from the Windows eight Begin screen

Sorry, Metro fans! Launch your browser from the Windows desktop in order to use Chrome.

If you’re using the Commence screen to launch Internet Explorer, you may find that Hangouts simply doesn’t work. That’s because Hangouts requires a plug-in to operate on IE, and the full-screen, Metro-style version of IE doesn’t permit any plug-ins at all. To work around this, you have a duo of choices. You can run IE in Desktop mode by launching it from the desktop instead of the Commence screen, and then install Hangouts, or you can simply switch to another browser.

Two. If you run Hangouts on numerous devices, Hangouts sends notifications to everything that’s running, causing alert overcharge

Stem the flood of notifications by closing the Hangouts app or signing out.

If you have Hangouts open on your desktop and your phone at the same time, notifications will pop up on both devices, even if you aren’t actively engaged with one of them.

This is unluckily a known issue with Hangouts. It’s a agony for some users, while other users actually choose it to work this way.

If you’re getting too many notifications, a few solutions are available. Very first, you can sign out of Hangouts on devices or browsers form which you don’t want notifications, or close the app altogether.

On Android devices, you have a few more options. You can use Menu > Snooze notifications to suspend alerts on that device. Notifications can also be suspended indefinitely on a per-user basis by selecting the gear icon in a Hangout window and unchecking the Notifications box there.

Trio. Photos sent via Hangouts over MMS taken in portrait mode automatically rotate and turn into landscape photos

This is a specific issue related to Hangouts on certain Android phones when pictures are sent over MMS. Many users report that the problem is erratic and that clearing application data from the Android Applications Manager may help, at least some of the time.

The more reliable solution is not to use the camera within Hangouts to snap photos, but to take pictures separately, using the standard Android camera. When portrait photos are linked from your photo library, they seem to come through with the decent rotation intact.

Four. Movie calls don’t work

While there are many potential reasons that Hangouts won’t initiate a movie call, here are a few of the most common troubleshooting tips.

Very first, the Chrome browser doesn’t require a plug-in for Hangouts to work… unless your company uses Google Apps, in which case you will still have to install the Hangouts plug-in to make movie calls. It’s also a good idea to install the Hangouts Chrome app, which adds Hangouts to the Chrome App Launcher, where you can initiate a fresh movie call.

Note that Hangouts does not support a handful of webcams, microphones, and audio devices. Presuming this is not your issue, make sure the correct audio gear is selected within Hangout’s settings menu. To find this menu, initiate a fresh movie, then click the gear icon.Hangouts may work better if you select specific devices for each of the three options instead of “Default.”

Eventually, in general, restarting your browser and/or your computer is also a good cure-all for any video-related problem within Hangouts.

Five. The Hangouts Browser plug-in won’t install (or vanishes)

Can’t install the Hangouts plug-in? Very first, make sure you aren’t running 64-bit Internet Explorer, as the plug-in is not supported on this browser. If you’re using Chrome, check chrome://plugins/ to see if the Google Talk plug-in is installed and enabled. (The name is a remnant of Hangouts’ prior incarnation.)

You can also attempt uninstalling this plug-in (instructions can be found here) and reinstalling it. Reminisce that the Hangouts app is different from the Hangouts plug-in. (You don’t need the former, but all browsers except Chrome require the latter.) If the Hangouts app has vanished from Chrome, simply re-enable it by re-downloading it from the Chrome Web Store.

Christopher Null is a veteran technology and business journalist. He contributes regularly to TechHive, PCWorld, and Wired, and operates the websites Drinkhacker and Film Racket.

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works, PCWorld

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works

Your message has been sent.

There was an error emailing this page.

Freelance Contributor, PCWorld | Feb 12, two thousand fifteen Three:00 AM PT

Editor’s note: To be fair to Google Hangouts, Skype has its problems, too. But it’s Google Hangouts that PCWorld’s editors have, for several years, attempted and largely failed to use for staff meetings with remote users. Just when we think we’ve figured out all the kinks, something else goes awry. So we feel our readers’ ache on this one, and that’s why we asked videoconferencing accomplished Christopher Null how to cure five of its most notable headaches. Did we miss a Hangouts hangup that’s making your life helluva? Let us know in the comments.

1. Hangouts doesn’t work in Internet Explorer from the Windows eight Embark screen

Sorry, Metro fans! Launch your browser from the Windows desktop in order to use Chrome.

If you’re using the Begin screen to launch Internet Explorer, you may find that Hangouts simply doesn’t work. That’s because Hangouts requires a plug-in to operate on IE, and the full-screen, Metro-style version of IE doesn’t permit any plug-ins at all. To work around this, you have a duo of choices. You can run IE in Desktop mode by launching it from the desktop instead of the Begin screen, and then install Hangouts, or you can simply switch to another browser.

Two. If you run Hangouts on numerous devices, Hangouts sends notifications to everything that’s running, causing alert overcharge

Stem the flood of notifications by closing the Hangouts app or signing out.

If you have Hangouts open on your desktop and your phone at the same time, notifications will pop up on both devices, even if you aren’t actively engaged with one of them.

This is unluckily a known issue with Hangouts. It’s a anguish for some users, while other users actually choose it to work this way.

If you’re getting too many notifications, a few solutions are available. Very first, you can sign out of Hangouts on devices or browsers form which you don’t want notifications, or close the app altogether.

On Android devices, you have a few more options. You can use Menu > Snooze notifications to suspend alerts on that device. Notifications can also be suspended indefinitely on a per-user basis by selecting the gear icon in a Hangout window and unchecking the Notifications box there.

Three. Photos sent via Hangouts over MMS taken in portrait mode automatically rotate and turn into landscape photos

This is a specific issue related to Hangouts on certain Android phones when pictures are sent over MMS. Many users report that the problem is erratic and that clearing application data from the Android Applications Manager may help, at least some of the time.

The more reliable solution is not to use the camera within Hangouts to snap photos, but to take pictures separately, using the standard Android camera. When portrait photos are affixed from your photo library, they seem to come through with the decent rotation intact.

Four. Movie calls don’t work

While there are many potential reasons that Hangouts won’t initiate a movie call, here are a few of the most common troubleshooting tips.

Very first, the Chrome browser doesn’t require a plug-in for Hangouts to work… unless your company uses Google Apps, in which case you will still have to install the Hangouts plug-in to make movie calls. It’s also a good idea to install the Hangouts Chrome app, which adds Hangouts to the Chrome App Launcher, where you can initiate a fresh movie call.

Note that Hangouts does not support a handful of webcams, microphones, and audio devices. Presuming this is not your issue, make sure the correct audio gear is selected within Hangout’s settings menu. To find this menu, initiate a fresh movie, then click the gear icon.Hangouts may work better if you select specific devices for each of the three options instead of “Default.”

Ultimately, in general, restarting your browser and/or your computer is also a good cure-all for any video-related problem within Hangouts.

Five. The Hangouts Browser plug-in won’t install (or vanishes)

Can’t install the Hangouts plug-in? Very first, make sure you aren’t running 64-bit Internet Explorer, as the plug-in is not supported on this browser. If you’re using Chrome, check chrome://plugins/ to see if the Google Talk plug-in is installed and enabled. (The name is a remnant of Hangouts’ prior incarnation.)

You can also attempt uninstalling this plug-in (instructions can be found here) and reinstalling it. Recall that the Hangouts app is different from the Hangouts plug-in. (You don’t need the former, but all browsers except Chrome require the latter.) If the Hangouts app has vanished from Chrome, simply re-enable it by re-downloading it from the Chrome Web Store.

Christopher Null is a veteran technology and business journalist. He contributes regularly to TechHive, PCWorld, and Wired, and operates the websites Drinkhacker and Film Racket.

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works, PCWorld

The top five reasons why Google Hangouts never works

Your message has been sent.

There was an error emailing this page.

Freelance Contributor, PCWorld | Feb 12, two thousand fifteen Three:00 AM PT

Editor’s note: To be fair to Google Hangouts, Skype has its problems, too. But it’s Google Hangouts that PCWorld’s editors have, for several years, attempted and largely failed to use for staff meetings with remote users. Just when we think we’ve figured out all the kinks, something else goes awry. So we feel our readers’ anguish on this one, and that’s why we asked videoconferencing pro Christopher Null how to cure five of its most notable headaches. Did we miss a Hangouts hangup that’s making your life diabolical? Let us know in the comments.

1. Hangouts doesn’t work in Internet Explorer from the Windows eight Commence screen

Sorry, Metro fans! Launch your browser from the Windows desktop in order to use Chrome.

If you’re using the Begin screen to launch Internet Explorer, you may find that Hangouts simply doesn’t work. That’s because Hangouts requires a plug-in to operate on IE, and the full-screen, Metro-style version of IE doesn’t permit any plug-ins at all. To work around this, you have a duo of choices. You can run IE in Desktop mode by launching it from the desktop instead of the Embark screen, and then install Hangouts, or you can simply switch to another browser.

Two. If you run Hangouts on numerous devices, Hangouts sends notifications to everything that’s running, causing alert overcharge

Stem the flood of notifications by closing the Hangouts app or signing out.

If you have Hangouts open on your desktop and your phone at the same time, notifications will pop up on both devices, even if you aren’t actively engaged with one of them.

This is unluckily a known issue with Hangouts. It’s a anguish for some users, while other users actually choose it to work this way.

If you’re getting too many notifications, a few solutions are available. Very first, you can sign out of Hangouts on devices or browsers form which you don’t want notifications, or close the app altogether.

On Android devices, you have a few more options. You can use Menu > Snooze notifications to suspend alerts on that device. Notifications can also be suspended indefinitely on a per-user basis by selecting the gear icon in a Hangout window and unchecking the Notifications box there.

Three. Photos sent via Hangouts over MMS taken in portrait mode automatically rotate and turn into landscape photos

This is a specific issue related to Hangouts on certain Android phones when pictures are sent over MMS. Many users report that the problem is erratic and that clearing application data from the Android Applications Manager may help, at least some of the time.

The more reliable solution is not to use the camera within Hangouts to snap photos, but to take pictures separately, using the standard Android camera. When portrait photos are affixed from your photo library, they seem to come through with the decent rotation intact.

Four. Movie calls don’t work

While there are many potential reasons that Hangouts won’t initiate a movie call, here are a few of the most common troubleshooting tips.

Very first, the Chrome browser doesn’t require a plug-in for Hangouts to work… unless your company uses Google Apps, in which case you will still have to install the Hangouts plug-in to make movie calls. It’s also a good idea to install the Hangouts Chrome app, which adds Hangouts to the Chrome App Launcher, where you can initiate a fresh movie call.

Note that Hangouts does not support a handful of webcams, microphones, and audio devices. Presuming this is not your issue, make sure the correct audio gear is selected within Hangout’s settings menu. To find this menu, initiate a fresh movie, then click the gear icon.Hangouts may work better if you select specific devices for each of the three options instead of “Default.”

Ultimately, in general, restarting your browser and/or your computer is also a good cure-all for any video-related problem within Hangouts.

Five. The Hangouts Browser plug-in won’t install (or vanishes)

Can’t install the Hangouts plug-in? Very first, make sure you aren’t running 64-bit Internet Explorer, as the plug-in is not supported on this browser. If you’re using Chrome, check chrome://plugins/ to see if the Google Talk plug-in is installed and enabled. (The name is a remnant of Hangouts’ prior incarnation.)

You can also attempt uninstalling this plug-in (instructions can be found here) and reinstalling it. Reminisce that the Hangouts app is different from the Hangouts plug-in. (You don’t need the former, but all browsers except Chrome require the latter.) If the Hangouts app has vanished from Chrome, simply re-enable it by re-downloading it from the Chrome Web Store.

Christopher Null is a veteran technology and business journalist. He contributes regularly to TechHive, PCWorld, and Wired, and operates the websites Drinkhacker and Film Racket.

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