Descript relies on an internet connection to power many key features. If your connection is unstable or blocked by your network settings, you may run into issues.

This article walks through the most common fixes for connectivity troubles and what to do if Descript says you're offline. It also includes the domains, ports, and proxy settings your IT team may need to allow for Rooms and SquadCast recording sessions.

This article covers:

• What to do if Descript says you're offline
• Firewall and proxy settings
• VPNs and managed networks
• Restricted countries and regions

If Descript says you're offline

If Descript is showing an "offline" message, it may mean your internet connection is unstable, blocked by a local network setting, or—occasionally—it may be a false alert.

These steps may help resolve the issue:

1. Fully quit and restart your browser or Descript app. Quit Descript completely (click the Descript "D" icon in the OS taskbar) and select Quit Descript Completely.
   
2. Refresh the browser page or Descript window. Use the shortcut Shift + Cmd/Ctrl + R or go to Window > Reload in the top menu.
   
3. Clear your cache:
   • Using Chrome? Follow these steps to clear your browser cache.
   • Using Descript's desktop app? From the top menu, go to Help > Debug > Reset app data.
4. Restart your device. A full restart can resolve system-level networking issues.
5. Check for network interference. Disable VPN, firewall, or proxy settings temporarily to see if they're blocking Descript's connection. See firewall and proxy settings below.
6. Free up disk space. Make sure you have at least 20 GB of free space. See recommended system requirements
7. Try a different network. Use another Wi-Fi network or a mobile hotspot. A wired ethernet connection to your modem or router can often improve stability over Wi-Fi.
8. Switch platforms. Try web.descript.com if you're using the desktop app, or vice versa.

Firewall and proxy settings

If you're using a firewall, VPN, or proxy—especially common on school, office, or coworking networks—Descript may not be able to connect properly. Share this section with your IT team or network administrator.

VPNs and managed networks

We don't recommend using Descript Rooms or SquadCast on networks or devices managed by organizations such as:

• Enterprise or corporate systems
• Government or military systems
• Schools and universities
• Banks or medical institutions

These networks often block the ports and services that real-time recording needs to work properly. If you must use a managed network, share the firewall and proxy settings section above with your IT team.

If you use a VPN, configure it to use split tunneling to bypass the VPN for Descript traffic. At a minimum, exempt port 443 and UDP traffic for the domains listed in the firewall and proxy settings section above.

Restricted countries and regions

Descript and SquadCast may be unavailable or have limited functionality in countries or regions subject to US sanctions or trade restrictions. This includes, but is not limited to:

• China
• Cuba
• Iran
• North Korea
• Russia
• Sudan
• Syria
• Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Sevastopol regions of Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates

This list may not be exhaustive. If you're unable to access Descript / SquadCast or specific features from your location, contact our support team. We'll need to know your operating system, whether you're using the desktop or web app, and what troubleshooting steps you've already tried.