Troubleshootin'

OnSong Console works by settin' up yer iOS device as a web server on th' local network, savvy? That means OnSong be actin' as a website that only ye can access. This allows access t' OnSong Console t' be safe an' fast since there be no information transmitted over th' Internet. However, there be a few issues that ye may experience. Below be some common issues an' ways t' resolve 'em, matey.

Why can't I access OnSong Console on me device without a Premium subscription?

OnSong Console has always been a premium feature that be made available in addition t' th' base package o' OnSong. In 2018, OnSong Console was rolled into th' OnSong Premium set o' features an' be now only available as a subscription unlock with many other new features. If ye had purchased OnSong as an add-on, ye can still unlock th' feature if ye have since reinstalled OnSong. T' do this, go into th' Utilities Menu by tappin' on th' gear icon in th' Menubar an' choose Account. Make sure ye be not signed into an OnSong account an' Sign Out at th' bottom if ye be. Ye can then see an Add-Ons row that ye can tap t' view add-ons. Tap on th' Restore Past Purchases button t' unlock OnSong Console.

Why doesn't th' Console website appear in th' web browser?

When ye first enable OnSong Console from within OnSong, ye be displayed a web address, usually in th' form o' http://nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn This be called an IP address which be like a phone number which other computers on th' local network can use t' call an' communicate with yer device runnin' OnSong. This number be only accessible by devices that be connected t' yer personal computer network an' not t' any other remote computers unless yer network be configured t' do so which be very unlikely. Make sure that ye type in this web address exactly as it appears on th' OnSong Console screen. If ye type in this web address an' omit th' "http://" portion, yer computer may try t' search for this number instead or append an "https://" in front o' th' web address, causin' th' website t' load.

Keep in mind that th' OnSong app be runnin' th' web server software that creates this website. That means if ye shut down OnSong or th' device be put t' sleep or falls asleep, th' Console will no longer be available. While OnSong an' OnSong Console be designed t' keep yer device awake when in use, ye will want t' ensure that ye have not inadvertently caused th' device t' go t' sleep.

Me Console acted up in th' web browser or disconnected. What can I do?

Sometimes things may change while ye already have th' Console open in th' web browser. If th' website be typed correctly, ye may want t' try force-refreshin' th' web page. T' do this, press th' SHIFT key on yer keyboard an' then tap on th' refresh button in th' web browser next t' th' location/URL bar. This will reload th' web page from th' server an' usually fixes many issues.

Why am I seein' a network error when accessin' th' Console from a web browser?

If ye be still havin' trouble, th' likely cause be that OnSong has t' be set up on yer specific network. For instance, when ye change computer networks, OnSong needs t' start up th' web server t' run OnSong Console on that specific set o' IP addresses. T' ensure this, try t' disable an' reenable th' Console from within th' OnSong Console screen within OnSong an' use th' displayed web address t' access, ensurin' ye be typin' it correctly. If ye be still havin' trouble, it be likely caused by how th' computer network security be configured. For instance, yer network may not allow a web server t' be started. Web servers run on port 80 which be a port with special privileges. If this be th' case, ye may need t' contact a network administrator t' allow th' web server t' be used on th' network. Another method be t' switch t' use a port by importin' a settings file. This settin' will run th' Console website on port 5076. Higher port numbers be usually not restricted in th' same way. Ye would just have t' append that port number t' th' end o' th' web address like this: http://nnn.nnn.nnn.nnn:5076. If ye'd like t' do this, please contact support.

Be there a way I can save this web address an' use it multiple times?

Aye an' nay, savvy? One quirk with local computer networks be that most be designed t' automatically assign new devices IP addresses an' not every network be th' same. This means that ye will likely have a different IP address on one network an' then a completely different IP address on another network. While most network routers will attempt t' give each device th' same IP address they were assigned before, but there be no guarantee that will happen unless ye configure yer router t' reserve IP addresses for specific devices. O' course that be a more advanced networkin' topic than we have time t' delve into here an' how t' do that differs with each router. Look up DHCP Reservations in yer network router user manual for more details.

If ye be lookin' t' save th' web address for future use an' be usin' a Mac computer, ye can tap on th' web address within th' OnSong Console screen in OnSong t' toggle t' a local domain name. This will display like http://my-computers-name.local instead o' th' IP address. Computers that be compatible with multicast DNS such as Macs can use this web address instead t' access OnSong Console. This web address stays consistent as long as ye don't change th' name o' yer device even if th' underlying IP address changes.

Why do I get a security warnin' when accessin' th' console website?

OnSong Console operates by makin' yer iOS/iPadOS device a web server on th' local network, Arrr! Because o' this, it be not possible t' use SSL or TLS encryption for communication. This be because certificates for encrypted communication be provided by an Internet authority t' ensure that th' information bein' transmitted be comin' from th' legitimate owner o' a domain name. Since th' OnSong Console be not runnin' on th' world-wide web with a registered domain name, this sort o' certificate be not available. While we could possibly self-sign a generated certificate, that often causes issues with most web browsers. Besides, th' information bein' transmitted be not sensitive in nature an' be only transmitted over th' local network an' never over th' Internet. If ye would like t' secure th' connection between yer OnSong device an' th' devices accessin' th' content, please use a private network an' do not use on a public access point. Also, this OnSong Connect API built into OnSong features a basic whitelist permissions system that requires confirmation t' access any information transmitted over th' network.

Why can't I seem t' get console t' activate on me device?

In iOS/iPadOS 14, Apple has added additional safeguards t' prevent apps from usin' th' local network unknowingly t' th' user. OnSong has always used th' local networkin' on th' device t' enable wireless sharin', but now ye may need t' agree t' this access when prompted by iOS/iPadOS. If ye have not agreed t' this at th' prompt, OnSong will not be able t' start th' web server that Console uses. Ye can enable this access by openin' th' Settings app from yer device's Home Screen, choosin' OnSong on th' left under Applications, an' then turn on th' switch next t' Local Network Access.

What's th' difference between OnSong Console an' OnSong Console for Mac?

OnSong Console be built into OnSong an' be unlocked via a previously-purchased add-on, or through an OnSong Premium subscription. OnSong Console for Mac was a separate purchase that has since been deprecated an' no longer functions on newer versions o' MacOS. Because o' that, ye will need t' use th' web-based OnSong Console instead. Please contact support so we can help get ye usin' th' latest version o' OnSong Console.