Issue: Chakra invitation email is not received

If your hiring company tells you to expect a Chakra invitation email but you cannot find it, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check the inbox for the email address you provided to your hiring company. Search for the hiring company name, HackerRank, or Chakra.

2. Check your spam, junk, promotions, and other filtered folders.

3. Check that your mailbox has enough storage space to receive new messages.

If you still cannot find the invitation, ask your hiring company to check the recipient email address and resend the invitation.

Issue: “You're logged into another interview” appears when you open the invitation link

Chakra displays this message when you open an invitation link for a different interview while you are already logged into another interview.

If an interview is already in progress, complete it before you start another. If you choose not to finish it, click End Interview.

Issue: Invitation link has expired or is not active

If Chakra displays a message that your invitation has expired or is not active, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check your invitation email and any instructions from your hiring company for the start date and time, deadline, and time zone.

2. If the start time is in the future, wait until that time, and then open the invitation link again.

3. If the invitation has expired, contact your hiring team to request an extension.

4. If the dates or times are missing or unclear, ask your hiring team to confirm when you can take the interview.

5. If your hiring team confirms that the invitation is active but Chakra still displays the message, contact HackerRank support at chakra-support@hackerrank.com.

Issue: Chakra page shows only an animated background

If you see an animated background instead of welcome screen after you open Chakra invitation link, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check that your browser is up to date. For more information, see 📄 Browser Recommendations for Chakra.

2. Check that your computer is connected to a stable network. For troubleshooting steps, see 📄 Troubleshooting Guide for Chakra → Connection issues​.

3. Click your browser’s Reload button to reload the Chakra page.

4. Open the Chakra invitation link from your email again.

Issue: “Please try again later” appears when you open the invitation link

If Chakra displays Please try again later when you open the invitation link, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check the deadline and access instructions in your invitation email.

2. Check that your browser is up to date. For more information, see 📄 Browser Recommendations for Chakra.

3. Check that your computer is connected to a stable network. For troubleshooting steps, see 📄 Troubleshooting Guide for Chakra → Connection issues.

4. Open the Chakra invitation link from your email again.

If your invitation has expired or the error continues, contact your hiring team using the contact details in your invitation email and ask them to check your access.

Issue: Chakra stays on the loading screen or shows a connection error

If Chakra keeps showing the Initializing... loading message or displays We couldn't connect to the interview after you select Start interview, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check that your browser is up to date. For more information, see 📄 Browser Recommendations for Chakra.

2. Check that your computer is connected to a stable network. For troubleshooting steps, see 📄 Troubleshooting Guide for Chakra → Connection issues.

3. Select Try again, if shown.

4. If Chakra prompts you to allow camera, microphone, or screen-sharing access, follow the on-screen instructions. For troubleshooting steps, see 📄 Troubleshooting Guide for Chakra → Permission and device issues.

Issue: Chakra shows a blank or black screen

If your browser shows a blank or black screen after you select Start interview, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Click your browser’s Reload button to reload the Chakra page.

2. If the page still does not load, open your Chakra invitation email and click the interview link again.

Issue: An unexpected error appears

If Chakra displays Hmm, something unexpected happened :(, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Select Reload the page.

2. If the error returns, contact HackerRank support at chakra-support@hackerrank.com.

Issue: Camera or microphone access is blocked

If you see a permission error or accidentally deny access, check both your browser permissions and your computer’s privacy settings.

Issue: Camera is not detected

If your camera does not appear under Device settings or the camera preview stays blank:

1. Check that the camera is connected and turned on. For a wired external camera, check the cable connection. For a wireless camera, confirm that it is connected to your computer.

2. Open the camera’s privacy shutter, if available, and check that its hardware privacy controls allow access.

3. Close other applications and browser tabs that use the camera.

4. Return to Chakra, select the camera you want to use under Device settings, and check the camera preview.

If the issue continues, restart your computer, open the Chakra invitation link, and repeat the checks.

Issue: Microphone is not detected

If your microphone does not appear under Device settings:

1. Check that the microphone is connected and turned on. For a wireless device, check that it is paired and connected to your computer.

2. Close other applications and browser tabs that use the microphone.

3. Open your computer’s sound settings and check whether the microphone appears as an input device.

4. Return to Chakra and check the microphone list under Device settings. If the microphone appears, select it and repeat the microphone test.

5. If the microphone still does not appear, try another microphone, preferably a headset microphone. Select it under Device settings and repeat the test.

If the issue continues, restart your computer, open the Chakra invitation link, and repeat the checks.

Issue: Microphone test detects no sound or the volume is too low

If your microphone appears under Device settings, but the test detects no sound or your voice is too quiet:

1. Check the mute controls on your microphone or headset and make sure the microphone is not muted in Chakra.

2. Close other applications and browser tabs that use the microphone.

3. Open your computer’s sound settings and increase its input volume if it is too low.

4. Move closer to the microphone and speak at a normal volume.

5. Return to Chakra, select the microphone under Device settings, and repeat the microphone test.

6. If the issue continues, try another microphone, preferably a headset microphone. Select it under Device settings and repeat the test.

If the issue continues, restart your computer, open the Chakra invitation link, and repeat the checks.

Issue: Speaker is not detected

If your speakers or headphones do not appear under Device settings:

1. Check that the speakers or headphones are connected and turned on. For a wired external device, check the cable connection. For a wireless device, check that it is paired and connected to your computer.

2. Open your computer’s sound settings and check whether the device appears as an output device.

3. Return to Chakra and check the speaker list under Device settings. If the device appears, select it and select Test speakers.

   

4. If the device still does not appear, try another output device, such as your computer’s built-in speakers, and repeat the check.

If the issue continues, restart your computer, open the Chakra invitation link, and repeat the checks.

Issue: Speaker test plays no sound or the volume is too low

If your speakers or headphones appear under Device settings but you cannot hear the test sound, or it is too quiet when you select Test speakers:

1. Check the mute controls on your microphone or headset and make sure the microphone is not muted in Chakra.

2. Check that your speakers or headphones are connected and turned on.

3. Open your computer’s sound settings and increase its output volume if it is too low.

4. Return to Chakra, select the speaker under Device settings, and click Test speakers.

   

5. If you still cannot hear sound, select another output device, such as your computer’s built-in speakers, and repeat the check.

If the issue continues, restart your computer, open the Chakra invitation link, and repeat the checks.

Issue: Screen sharing does not start

If the sharing prompt repeats, the sharing dialog closes, or Chakra does not detect screen sharing, follow the steps below:

Issue: Screen sharing stops during the interview

If Chakra asks you to restore screen sharing:

1. Follow Chakra’s prompt to share your screen again.

2. In the sharing dialog, select Entire screen.

3. Select the screen preview, and then select Share.

4. Check that Chakra no longer asks you to restore screen sharing.

If you cannot restore screen sharing, contact HackerRank support at chakra-support@hackerrank.com.

Issue: Multiple monitor warning appears

If Chakra continues to show a multiple monitor warning:

1. Disconnect additional monitors, including mirrored displays and displays connected through a dock.

2. Disconnect wireless displays and any device you use as an additional screen, such as an iPad through Sidecar.

3. Check your computer’s display settings and disconnect any remaining additional displays:

   • Windows: Open Settings > System > Display.

   • macOS: Open Apple menu > System Settings > Displays.

4. Return to the Chakra permissions page, select Check Now for the monitor check, and confirm that a green check mark appears.

Issue: Face visibility warning appears

If Chakra cannot detect your face clearly:

1. Select the intended camera in Device settings.

2. Position your face in the center of the camera preview.

3. Place a light in front of you and avoid bright light behind you.

4. Keep your face unobstructed and make sure only you appear in the camera preview.

If Start Interview remains unavailable after the warning clears, complete any remaining permission checks and the audio test.

Issue: Start Interview button unavailable

If the Start Interview button is greyed out and you cannot select it:

1. Confirm that all required permission checks display green check marks.

2. Complete the microphone test and select Confirm. If the microphone is missing or the test fails, see Issue: Microphone is not detected, or Issue: Microphone test detects no sound or the volume is too low.

3. Make sure your face is clearly visible in the camera preview and resolve any face visibility warning. For more information, see Issue: Face visibility warning appears.

If all displayed checks pass but the Start Interview button remains disabled, contact HackerRank support at chakra-support@hackerrank.com.

Issue: Slow internet connection warning appears

If Chakra displays Slow internet connection detected, your connection may affect audio or video quality. Chakra recommends a bandwidth of 10 Mbps for optimal performance.

Follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Pause large downloads, uploads, streaming, and cloud backups on your computer. If possible, pause similar activity on other devices that share your internet connection.

2. If you use Wi-Fi, move closer to your router to improve the signal.

3. If the warning continues, switch to a more stable network.

4. Return to Chakra and check whether the warning clears.

Issue: No internet connection warning appears

If Chakra displays No internet connection detected, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check that your computer is connected to a network with internet access.

2. Disconnect from the network and reconnect.

3. Switch to another network if the warning continues.

4. Return to Chakra and check whether the warning clears.

Issue: Connection check fails or does not finish

If Chakra encounters an issue during the connection check, it may display one of the following error messages:

Follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Select How to fix this, if available, to review the guidance.

2. Check that your computer is connected to the internet. Switch to another network if there is no internet access.

3. If you use Chakra in a browser, keep only one interview tab open.

4. Disconnect any VPN or proxy you use.

5. If you use Chakra in a browser, temporarily turn off ad-blocking or privacy extensions that might interfere with the connection.

6. Return to Chakra and select Try again.

If you use an office device, ask your network administrator to confirm that the network allows the connections Chakra requires.

Issue: Cannot retry the connection check

Chakra may temporarily disable the Try again option while a previous check finishes or during a waiting period.

Issue: Internet connection drops or becomes unstable during the interview

Chakra may display one of the following messages:

Follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Keep the Chakra page open while you restore your connection. Do not select End interview to resolve the issue.

2. Check your internet connection. If you use Wi-Fi, move closer to your router to improve the signal. Switch to a more stable network if needed.

3. After you restore a stable connection, check whether the conversation resumes. If it does, continue your interview and ask Chakra to repeat the last question if needed.

4. If your connection returns but the interview page remains unresponsive in your browser, reload the Chakra page.

5. If Chakra displays We couldn't connect to the interview, select Try again, if shown. For further troubleshooting, see 📄 Troubleshooting Guide for Chakra → Page loading issues.

Issue: Workspace setup does not complete

While Chakra prepares your interview workspace, you may see Setting up the interview environment or Finalizing your session setup. These messages indicate that setup is in progress.

If setup fails, Chakra may display one of the following error messages:

Follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Keep the page open while Chakra prepares the workspace.

2. If an error appears, wait for the 20-second countdown on Retry to finish, and then select Retry. The button remains unavailable during the countdown.

3. If Retry remains unavailable or setup still does not complete, contact HackerRank support at chakra-support@hackerrank.com.

Issue: Transcript keeps showing loading messages

The transcript may display placeholders such as Tuning the antennae..., Decoding the silence..., or Polishing the transcripts... when no conversation text is available. Their brief appearance does not indicate an error.

If the transcript continues to display these messages instead of conversation text, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check the microphone icon in the interview controls. If your microphone is muted, select the icon to unmute it.

2. Open Device settings and confirm that the correct microphone is selected.

3. If transcript continues to display the loading message, contact HackerRank support at chakra-support@hackerrank.com.

Issue: Browser crashes, computer freezes, or computer shuts down during the interview

Reopen your interview as soon as possible after the interruption. The interview timer may continue to run while you are disconnected.

Issue: “The interview has ended” appears when you reopen the link

If Chakra displays The interview has ended, follow these troubleshooting steps:

1. Confirm that you use the invitation link for the correct company, role, and interview.

2. If you have not taken the interview or it ends before you finish, contact HackerRank support at chakra-support@hackerrank.com.

3. If a technical issue prevents you from completing the interview, contact your hiring company. Describe the issue and request another attempt.