If a Teacher Sees a Loading Error
Check the Browser and Extension
Pear Deck requires a supported browser. If you’re using Safari or a mobile browser, switch to Chrome on a computer and try again. If you’re presenting from Google Slides using the Pear Deck for Google Slides add-on, confirm the add-on is installed and visible in the Extensions menu. If it’s missing, see Fix the Pear Deck Add-on Not Loading in Google Slides.Allow Cookies
Your browser must allow cookies from the following domains for Pear Deck to load:*.peardeck.com*.google.com*.youtube.comsign-in.microsoftonline.com
Confirm Your Account
Pear Deck accounts require sign-in with Google or Microsoft Office 365. Personal email accounts are not supported.- Go to app.peardeck.com and check which account is signed in.
- Confirm you’re signed in with your school Google or Microsoft account.
- If you see an authorization error, sign out, then sign back in with the correct account.
Clear the Browser Cache
A stale cache can cause Pear Deck to load an outdated or broken version of the app.- In Chrome, open Settings → Privacy and security → Clear browsing data.
- Select Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data.
- Click Clear data.
- Close Chrome, reopen it, and sign in to Pear Deck again.
If Students Can’t Join a Session
Confirm the Join Link or Join Code Is Current
Join codes expire after 1 week. If a student is using a code from a previous class or a shared document that hasn’t been updated, the code won’t work. Share the current join link from your active session. To find the current join link:- Open your active session in Pear Deck.
- Click Share or locate the join link in your Projector View or Dashboard View.
- Copy and share the updated link with students.
Check the Student’s Browser
Students can join Pear Deck sessions on Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari on most devices. Chrome is recommended for the most reliable experience. If a student sees an error on Safari or a mobile browser, ask them to switch to Chrome. Students can join and respond to all question types on mobile devices using Chrome.Confirm the Session Is Still Active
A session set to Closed will not accept new joins, even from a valid join link. If students see an error indicating the session is unavailable, check the session status.- Go to Sessions in Pear Deck.
- Locate the session and confirm its status is Live or Student-Paced.
- If the status is Closed, select More Actions and choose Reopen Session.
Check Student Cookies
Students’ browsers must allow third-party cookies from*.peardeck.com and *.joinpd.com. If a student’s Chromebook is managed by the school, a policy may be blocking these. Ask your IT admin to review cookie policies for student devices.
Stale Session Links
Each time you present a lesson, Pear Deck creates a new session with a new join code. Students who try to join using a join code or link from a previous session will see an error if that session is closed. Join codes expire after 1 week. Join links are permanent and will reopen an archived session when a student uses them, but they will not work if the session is set to Closed. To avoid stale link errors:- Share the join link from each new session at the start of class, rather than reusing old codes.
- If you post join links in Google Classroom or a learning management system, update the link each time you present.
- To keep students out of old sessions, set them to Closed before archiving.
Network and Allowlist Issues
If Pear Deck loads partially, responses stop syncing mid-session, or students see errors that look like network problems, a school firewall may be blocking a required domain. Run the Pear Deck Network Test on the affected device. The test checks each required service and flags anything that’s blocked. Ask your IT admin to allow the following domains on the school firewall:
For the complete list of required domains, see Technical Requirements for Pear Deck.
Browser Requirements
Pear Deck supports the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari on computers. Chrome is recommended for teachers presenting from the Pear Deck web app or Google Slides.The Pear Deck for Google Slides add-on is only supported on computers. You cannot open the add-on sidebar on an iPhone, iPad, or other mobile device. You can start a session from Pear Deck Home on any device, and students can join and respond to all question types on mobile devices.
*.peardeck.com.
Mobile limitations: Students can join sessions and respond to questions on mobile browsers. Teachers cannot use the Pear Deck for Google Slides add-on or the Pear Deck for PowerPoint add-in on mobile devices.
Contact Support
If you’ve worked through all the steps above and Pear Deck still doesn’t load, contact GoGuardian Support. Include the following to help the support team identify the cause:- A screenshot of the full browser window, including the URL bar and any error message
- The browser and version you’re using
- Whether the issue affects 1 device or all devices on the network
- The results of the Pear Deck Network Test, if available
Resources
Technical Requirements for Pear Deck
Review supported devices, browsers, network domains, and account requirements.
Allow Cookies for Pear Deck
Configure browser and network cookie settings required for Pear Deck to function.
Fix the Pear Deck Add-on Not Loading in Google Slides
Resolve issues with the Pear Deck for Google Slides add-on failing to appear or load.
Understand Pear Deck Sessions
Learn how session statuses, join codes, and join links work.