In this article:
If you’re having trouble using Poll Everywhere, some of these questions may help resolve the problems:
I already have an account / my email address is already taken. Do I need to delete this account to register as a participant on an instructor’s account?
No. Simply log in to your account first (you can reset your password if you forgot it) and then click the participant registration link your instructor has distributed.
My instructor hasn’t received my responses, even though I have registered on their account.
If you are responding with a web device, make sure you are signed in before responding to your instructor’s polls. It is also possible that you have accidentally created two or more accounts under different emails. If you have a personal or another university email - your responses may be associated there.
If you are responding via text message, make sure you have certified your mobile number. Once you have certified your number your previous ‘unregistered’ responses will be tied to your account.
Do I need to certify my phone number? If so, how do I certify my phone number?
If your instructor requires you to register to participate (usually to see participation or attendance) and you are responding via text message instead of the web, you will need to certify your number so your instructor can identify your responses. Although, usually you can always just reply by the web on your smartphone or laptop.
To certify your number, login and go to your Settings page under your account settings. Make sure to type in your mobile phone number and click the certify link. Follow the instructions to send your certification text message.
When texting, why do I get a message about ‘cannot deliver message to this shortcode’ or ‘message blocking is active’?
This usually means you have texting to shortcodes disabled for your specific cell phone subscription plan with your mobile carrier. Usually, calling your carrier and making sure texting to shortcodes is enabled takes care of the problem.
If you are unable to activate shortcodes, you may text in your responses to the 10-digit backup which is located inside our application. Please note that this is to be used sparingly and only by those who cannot otherwise text to the US-based shortcodes we offer. You will not receive confirmation reply messages when using the backup.
Keep in mind that to certify your phone number, you’ll need to text to this backup number instead of the shortcode. If you continue to have issues responding via SMS-text message you should always be able to reply to polls by going to the URL displayed on your professor’s activities.
My response went to the wrong activity. What’s going on?
The presenter may have moved on to another activity just before you sent your response. If the presenter activates a different activity in the same presenter session before your response to the first activity is sent, and the current activity allows the type of response you chose, your response will end up in the activity that is currently active.
For example, if the first activity contains multiple choice responses like A, B, and C, you might respond by texting “A”. However, if the presenter moves on to the next activity before your response is received, and that poll also allows “A”, then your response will go to the active activity.
One other possible cause could be that you have not joined the correct presenter session. To stop responding to a presenter’s activities, text LEAVE. Then join the correct presenter session by texting that presenter’s username to the SMS number.