Troubleshooting your Edison robot
Looking for some help to solve an issue with your Edison robot? You have come to the right place!
New to using Edison?
Follow the steps in the Getting started with Edison guide to get your Edison robot ready to use and prepare your computing devices to work with the Edison robot programming languages.
If your programming device and Edison robot are both fully setup, but you are still having trouble, please follow the steps below.
Step 1: Check and change the batteries
Low or flat batteries can cause some weird behaviour from Edison, resulting in a range of issues with the robot. That’s why the best first step is to try changing or recharging Edison’s batteries.
Be sure you are using the correct batteries and that you have them properly inserted into Edison.
If using disposable batteries: only use alkaline batteries. (These are the most common AAA batteries you will find in just about any shop.) Never use heavy-duty, super heavy-duty or carbon zinc batteries.
If using rechargeable batteries: only use nickel metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries. Do not use lithium rechargeable batteries.
Having trouble opening or closing the door? You can download the Lockable battery door guide or watch a video example with some tips to make it easier.
Changed the batteries and still having trouble? Please continue to the next step.

Step 2: Turn your device’s volume all the way up
To be able to program Edison, most devices will need the volume turned up to maximum or 100%. Check to make sure your tablet or computer’s volume is turned up to full.
Many devices have built-in safety settings that reduce the volume when an audio device is connected using the headphone jack. That’s why it is important to double check that your volume is turned all the way up after plugging in the EdComm programming cable to your device.
Confirmed the volume settings are correct but still having trouble? Please continue to the next step.
Step 3: Confirm your program is downloading to Edison
While your program is downloading, Edison will make sounds similar to an old dial-up modem. This is the sound of the program being downloaded into Edison.
Once the program has finished downloading, Edison will make one of two sets of beeps:
- the ‘success sound’ set of beeps, indicating Edison has successfully received the program, or
- the ‘fail sound’ set of beeps, indicating the program failed to download correctly.
The following recordings are the series of beeps for both a successful program and a failed program. Please listen to the sounds, then try downloading a test program to your Edison to confirm the program is being successfully downloaded.
Success Sound
Fail Sound
If you hear the ‘fail sound’ or if the program is being successfully downloaded, but the Edison robot is not executing the program correctly, please continue to the next troubleshooting step.
Step 4: Check your programming device’s setup
Depending on which programming language (EdBlocks, EdScratch or EdPy) you are using and the type of programming device (like a computer or Chromebook) you are using, there are a few different troubleshooting steps you can take.
Select the programming language you are using below and follow the steps to make sure your device is set up for that programming language:
Step 1: Test a program at www.edblocksapp.com
The best way to check if your device is set up is to run a test program in EdBlocks. You can find step-by-step help for how to do this on page 5 of the Getting started with Edison guide.
SUCCESS: If the robot makes the ‘success’ sound, unplug it from the EdComm cable, then press the triangle (play) button on Edison one time to run the program. If the program runs successfully in the Edison robot, your programming device is ready to use! There’s nothing further you need to do to set-up your device.
FAIL: If the robot fails to download the program, or the program does not play in the robot, work through the additional steps below.
Step 2: Check the connectivity status
If you see the ‘There seems to be a network issue accessing the compiler’ warning message after pressing the ‘Program Edison’ button in the EdBlocks app, or if the program failed to download successfully, you will need to check the app’s connectivity status. You can find step-by-step help for how to do this on page 7 of the Getting started with Edison guide.
SUCCESS: Once the connection checker shows you are connected, try downloading and running a test program again. If the program downloads and runs successfully in the Edison robot, your programming device is ready to use! There’s nothing further you need to do to set-up your device
FAIL: If the connection checker shows you are connected, but you are still not able to program Edison, move on to ‘Switch the compiler output type’.
Step 3: Switch the compiler output type
To be sent to the Edison robot, your program must be compiled by the Edison compiler. The Edison compiler can create two types of outputs and automatically chooses which type to create for you based on the type of device it detects you are using (such as an Apple tablet or a Windows laptop). If your programs are not downloading successfully, you can manually switch the compiler output type. You can find step-by-step help for how to do this on page 8 of the Getting started with Edison guide.
SUCCESS: Once you have changed the compiler output, try downloading and running a test program again. If the program downloads and runs successfully in the Edison robot, your programming device is ready to use! There’s nothing further you need to do to set-up your device.
FAIL: If you are still not able to program Edison after changing the compiler output type, check the device-specific troubleshooting advice that follows.
Windows computers – troubleshooting
If you are running a laptop or desktop with a Windows operating system and are still unable to program Edison after running the set-up steps above, try the additional troubleshooting steps:
Disable sound enhancements
If you are using desktops or laptops running Windows operating systems and both the short pulse (recommended) and long pulse compiler output types are failing, you will need to disable sound enhancements.
You will find step-by-step video guides showing you how to disable sound enhancements for standard Window’s sound enhancements software as well as the most common third-party software programs in the disable sound enhancements section below.
Once you have sound enhancements disabled, use the long pulse compiler output option.
Check for a volume ‘hard lock’
Some devices, especially in Europe, have a hard lock on volume whenever an audio device is detected. This means that the device is ‘locked’ to only deliver a maximum volume of approximately 75% of the device max volume when an audio device is detected. To correct this, go into the device’s settings and disable the hard lock to enable the device to emit true full volume, even with an audio device plugged in.
Chromebooks – troubleshooting
If you are running a Chromebook and still unable to program Edison after running the set-up steps above, try this additional troubleshooting step.
Disable sound enhancements
Some Chromebooks, including some Dell Chromebooks, have low audio output but also have sound enhancements. If you are using a Chromebook and both the short pulse (recommended) and long pulse compiler output types are failing, you will need to disable sound enhancements.
Sound enhancements are common on Windows machines and we have step-by-step video guides showing you how to disable sound enhancements for standard Window’s sound enhancements software as well as the most common third-party software programs in the disable sound enhancements section below. Depending on the manufacturer, your Chromebook may have similar sound enhancement software.
Once you have sound enhancements disabled, use the long pulse compiler output option.
Dell 3100 Chromebook range
Dell has recently rolled out an operating system update for their 3100 Chromebook range that significantly reduces the headphone volume. The reduced volume prevents the standard EdComm cable from working.
The EdComm 3100 cable is a special EdComm cable designed to work with Dell 3100 Chromebooks. The EdComm 3100 cable has revised electronics to work with the updated Dell 3100 software.
Note that due to the revised electronics, the EdComm 3100 cable may not work with some devices and is therefore not a general replacement for the standard EdComm cable.
You can purchase EdComm 3100 cables here.
Mac computers – troubleshooting
If you are running a Mac laptop or desktop and are still unable to program Edison after running the set-up steps above, try this additional troubleshooting step.
Check the volume settings
Some Macs experience audio clipping errors when attempting to program Edison. If you experience these issues, please try dropping your volume from 100% to between 50% and 90% instead.
Tablets – troubleshooting
If you are running an Apple, Android or Windows tablet and are still unable to program Edison after running the set-up steps above, try this additional troubleshooting step.
Check the volume settings
Many devices have built-in safety settings that reduce the volume when an audio device is connected using the headphone jack. Please check that your volume is turned all the way up to 100% after plugging in the EdComm programming cable to your device.
Some devices, especially in Europe, have a hard lock on volume whenever an audio device is detected. This means that the device is ‘locked’ to only deliver a maximum volume of approximately 75% of the device max volume when an audio device is detected. To correct this, go into the device’s settings and disable the hard lock, to enable the device to emit true full volume, even with an audio device plugged in.
Please note: most mobile phones do not have the audio output to program Edison using EdBlocks. We do not recommend using mobile phones as programming devices with Edison.
Step 1: Test a program at www.edscratchapp.com
The best way to check if your device is set up is to run a test program in EdScratch. You can find step-by-step help for how to do this on page 6 of the Getting started with Edison guide.
SUCCESS: If the robot makes the ‘success’ sound, unplug it from the EdComm cable, then press the triangle (play) button on Edison one time to run the program. If the program runs successfully in the Edison robot, your programming device is ready to use! There’s nothing further you need to do to set-up your device.
FAIL: If the robot fails to download the program, or the program does not play in the robot, work through the additional steps below.
Step 2: Check the connectivity status
If you see the ‘There seems to be a network issue accessing the compiler’ warning message after pressing the ‘Program Edison’ button in the EdScratch app, or if the program failed to download successfully, you will need to check the app’s connectivity status. You can find step-by-step help for how to do this on page 7 of the Getting started with Edison guide.
SUCCESS: Once the connection checker shows you are connected, try downloading and running a test program again. If the program downloads and runs successfully in the Edison robot, your programming device is ready to use! There’s nothing further you need to do to set-up your device
FAIL: If the connection checker shows you are connected, but you are still not able to program Edison, move on to ‘Switch the compiler output type’.
Step 3: Switch the compiler output type
To be sent to the Edison robot, your program must be compiled by the Edison compiler. The Edison compiler can create two types of outputs and automatically chooses which type to create for you based on the type of device it detects you are using (such as an Apple tablet or a Windows laptop). If your programs are not downloading successfully, you can manually switch the compiler output type. You can find step-by-step help for how to do this on page 8 of the Getting started with Edison guide.
SUCCESS: Once you have changed the compiler output, try downloading and running a test program again. If the program downloads and runs successfully in the Edison robot, your programming device is ready to use! There’s nothing further you need to do to set-up your device.
FAIL: If you are still not able to program Edison after changing the compiler output type, check the device-specific troubleshooting advice that follows.
Windows computers – troubleshooting
If you are running a laptop or desktop with a Windows operating system and are still unable to program Edison after running the set-up steps above, try the additional troubleshooting steps:
Disable sound enhancements
If you are using desktops or laptops running Windows operating systems and both the short pulse (recommended) and long pulse compiler output types are failing, you will need to disable sound enhancements.
You will find step-by-step video guides showing you how to disable sound enhancements for standard Window’s sound enhancements software as well as the most common third-party software programs in the disable sound enhancements section below.
Once you have sound enhancements disabled, use the long pulse compiler output option.
Check for a volume ‘hard lock’
Some devices, especially in Europe, have a hard lock on volume whenever an audio device is detected. This means that the device is ‘locked’ to only deliver a maximum volume of approximately 75% of the device max volume when an audio device is detected. To correct this, go into the device’s settings and disable the hard lock to enable the device to emit true full volume, even with an audio device plugged in.
Chromebooks – troubleshooting
If you are running a Chromebook and still unable to program Edison after running the set-up steps above, try this additional troubleshooting step.
Disable sound enhancements
Some Chromebooks, including some Dell Chromebooks, have low audio output but also have sound enhancements. If you are using a Chromebook and both the short pulse (recommended) and long pulse compiler output types are failing, you will need to disable sound enhancements.
Sound enhancements are common on Windows machines and we have step-by-step video guides showing you how to disable sound enhancements for standard Window’s sound enhancements software as well as the most common third-party software programs in the disable sound enhancements section below. Depending on the manufacturer, your Chromebook may have similar sound enhancement software.
Once you have sound enhancements disabled, use the long pulse compiler output option.
Dell 3100 Chromebook range
Dell has recently rolled out an operating system update for their 3100 Chromebook range that significantly reduces the headphone volume. The reduced volume prevents the standard EdComm cable from working.
The EdComm 3100 cable is a special EdComm cable designed to work with Dell 3100 Chromebooks. The EdComm 3100 cable has revised electronics to work with the updated Dell 3100 software.
Note that due to the revised electronics, the EdComm 3100 cable may not work with some devices and is therefore not a general replacement for the standard EdComm cable.
You can purchase EdComm 3100 cables here.
Mac computers – troubleshooting
If you are running a Mac laptop or desktop and are still unable to program Edison after running the set-up steps above, try this additional troubleshooting step.
Check the volume settings
Some Macs experience audio clipping errors when attempting to program Edison. If you experience these issues, please try dropping your volume from 100% to between 50% and 90% instead.
Tablets – troubleshooting
If you are running an Apple, Android or Windows tablet and are still unable to program Edison after running the set-up steps above, try this additional troubleshooting step.
Check the volume settings
Many devices have built-in safety settings that reduce the volume when an audio device is connected using the headphone jack. Please check that your volume is turned all the way up to 100% after plugging in the EdComm programming cable to your device.
Some devices, especially in Europe, have a hard lock on volume whenever an audio device is detected. This means that the device is ‘locked’ to only deliver a maximum volume of approximately 75% of the device max volume when an audio device is detected. To correct this, go into the device’s settings and disable the hard lock, to enable the device to emit true full volume, even with an audio device plugged in.
Please note: most mobile phones do not have the audio output to program Edison using EdScratch. We do not recommend using mobile phones as programming devices with Edison.
Step 1: Test a program at www.edpyapp.com
The best way to check if your device is set up is to run a test program in EdPy. You can find step-by-step help for how to do this on page 11 of the Getting started with Edison guide.
SUCCESS: If the robot makes the ‘success’ sound, unplug it from the EdComm cable, then press the triangle (play) button on Edison one time to run the program. If the program runs successfully in the Edison robot, your programming device is ready to use! There’s nothing further you need to do to set-up your device.
FAIL: If the robot fails to download the program, or the program does not play in the robot, work through the additional steps below.
Step 2: Check for a firewall
If you cannot access the EdPy app at all, or if programs are failing to download, you may be behind a firewall which is common at schools. Ask the network administrator to white list https://www.edpyapp.com
SUCCESS: Once the address has been white listed, try downloading and running a test program. If the program downloads and runs successfully in the Edison robot, your programming device is ready to use! There’s nothing further you need to do to set-up your device.
FAIL: If you can access the EdPy app, but you are not able to program Edison, move on to ‘Try low.edpyapp’.
Step 3: Try low.edpyapp
To be sent to the Edison robot, your program must be compiled by the EdPy compiler. The EdPy app creates a compiled file that is sent to the Edison robot as an audio file. The app at www.edpyapp.com creates an audio output type that works well for most devices, such as computers and laptops running Windows. This output does not work for some programming devices which have low output volume, however, including some Chromebooks and touch-screen laptops.
If your programs are not downloading successfully, go to https://low.edpyapp.com/ and try downloading and running a test program there. This low.edpyapp version of the EdPy app functions exactly like the main app at www.edpyapp.com, except that it creates a different type of compiled output which works better on devices with low output volumes.
SUCCESS: If you can successfully download and run a test program on low.edpyapp but not the main EdPy app, your programming device has a low volume output. You will need to use low.edpyapp ongoing, but other than that, your programming device is ready to use! There’s nothing further you need to do to set-up your device.
FAIL: If you are not able to program Edison using either the EdPy app or the low.edpyapp version, check the device-specific troubleshooting advice that follows.
Windows computers – troubleshooting
If you are running a laptop or desktop with a Windows operating system and are still unable to program Edison after running the set-up steps above, try the additional troubleshooting steps:
Disable sound enhancements
If you are using desktops or laptops running Windows operating systems and both the short pulse (recommended) and long pulse compiler output types are failing, you will need to disable sound enhancements.
You will find step-by-step video guides showing you how to disable sound enhancements for standard Window’s sound enhancements software as well as the most common third-party software programs in the disable sound enhancements section below.
Once you have sound enhancements disabled, test a program download at both www.edpyapp.com and low.edpyapp.com. In general, devices that require this step will only work using the low.edpyapp.com version.
Check for a volume ‘hard lock’
Some devices, especially in Europe, have a hard lock on volume whenever an audio device is detected. This means that the device is ‘locked’ to only deliver a maximum volume of approximately 75% of the device max volume when an audio device is detected. To correct this, go into the device’s settings and disable the hard lock to enable the device to emit true full volume, even with an audio device plugged in.
Chromebooks – troubleshooting
If you are running a Chromebook and still unable to program Edison after running the set-up steps above, try this additional troubleshooting step.
Disable sound enhancements
Some Chromebooks, including some Dell Chromebooks, have low audio output but also have sound enhancements. If you are using a Chromebook and both the short pulse (recommended) and long pulse compiler output types are failing, you will need to disable sound enhancements.
Sound enhancements are common on Windows machines and we have step-by-step video guides showing you how to disable sound enhancements for standard Window’s sound enhancements software as well as the most common third-party software programs in the disable sound enhancements section below. Depending on the manufacturer, your Chromebook may have similar sound enhancement software.
Once you have sound enhancements disabled, test a program download at both www.edpyapp.com and low.edpyapp.com. In general, devices that require this step will only work using the low.edpyapp.com version.
Dell 3100 Chromebook range
Dell has recently rolled out an operating system update for their 3100 Chromebook range that significantly reduces the headphone volume. The reduced volume prevents the standard EdComm cable from working.
The EdComm 3100 cable is a special EdComm cable designed to work with Dell 3100 Chromebooks. The EdComm 3100 cable has revised electronics to work with the updated Dell 3100 software.
Note that due to the revised electronics, the EdComm 3100 cable may not work with some devices and is therefore not a general replacement for the standard EdComm cable.
You can purchase EdComm 3100 cables here.
Mac computers – troubleshooting
If you are running a Mac laptop or desktop and are still unable to program Edison after running the set-up steps above, try this additional troubleshooting step.
Check the volume settings
Some Macs experience audio clipping errors when attempting to program Edison. If you experience these issues, please try dropping your volume from 100% to between 50% and 90% instead.
Tablets – troubleshooting
If you are running an Apple, Android or Windows tablet and are still unable to program Edison using either the EdPy app or the low.edpyapp version of the app after running the set-up steps above, try this additional troubleshooting step.
Please note: EdPy can be run on most tablets. However, text-based programming is not suited to tablet devices and can be quite difficult to do. We do not recommend using tablets to program in EdPy.
Please note: most mobile phones do not have the audio output to program Edison using EdPy. We strongly advise against using mobile phones as programming devices with Edison.
Check the volume settings
Many devices have built-in safety settings that reduce the volume when an audio device is connected using the headphone jack. Please check that your volume is turned all the way up to 100% after plugging in the EdComm programming cable to your device.
Some devices, especially in Europe, have a hard lock on volume whenever an audio device is detected. This means that the device is ‘locked’ to only deliver a maximum volume of approximately 75% of the device max volume when an audio device is detected. To correct this, go into the device’s settings and disable the hard lock, to enable the device to emit true full volume, even with an audio device plugged in.
Step 5: Disable sound enhancements
Try this step if you:
- are programming or updating Edison using a Windows computer or laptop, and
- having issues with your program or update failing, or
- have a Windows machine or Chromebook with low volume output.
Windows machines often have sound enhancements which may be causing your program or update to fail. Disabling these sound enhancements can resolve the issue.
This quick tutorial video will show you how to disable Windows sound enhancements.
This quick tutorial video will show you how to disable Windows 11 sound enhancements.
If the ‘Disable Sound Enhancements’ checkbox was missing on your machine, or if you have disabled basic sound enhancements, but your Edison is still not successfully downloading, your machine may have 3rd party sound enhancements installed.
Please select the tutorial for your machine in the ‘disable 3rd party sound enhancements’ drop-down below for step-by-step guidance on how to disable the 3rd party sound enhancements.
Disable 3rd party sound enhancements
Step 6: Search our technical tips
Please select the option that best matches your issue.
- Questions about and issues with EdBlocks – please see the EdBlocks FAQ
- Questions about and issues with EdWare – please see the EdWare FAQ
- Questions about and issues with EdScratch – please see the EdScratch FAQ
- Questions about and issues with EdPy – please see the EdPy FAQ
- Questions about and issues using barcodes – please see the barcodes information page
Otherwise, please select the category that best matches your issue from the menu below.
Hardware help with Edison
Edison is making the ‘fail sound’ when programming
Barcodes
Step 7: Get in touch with our technical support team
If you were unable to resolve your issue using this troubleshooting guide, please contact our technical support team.
To ensure we help resolve your issues as fast as possible, please include the following details:
- As much information about your issue as you can provide
- The serial number of the Edison robot (located on a sticker on the inside of the battery compartment)
One of our friendly support team will then get in touch with you shortly!