Troubleshooting
Calm, practical fixes for the most common issues. Most problems have a simple answer.
Free · Parent-guided
Safety rule: Use ideas, not secrets. Do not enter real names, school names, addresses, phone numbers, emails, passwords, photos, medical details, financial details, account information, exact locations, or private family details into any AI tool.
First rule
Slow down and fix one thing at a time
When something goes wrong, do not change everything at once. Change one small thing, test it, and see if it helped. Working in tiny steps is the fastest way to fix a project.
General checklist
Run through these first — they solve most problems:
- ✓Did you save the file with .html at the end (not .txt)?
- ✓Did you copy the full code, from the first line to the last?
- ✓Did you open the file in a browser (Chrome, Safari, or Edge)?
- ✓Did the AI split the project into multiple files instead of one?
- ✓Did the AI add external libraries or online features?
- ✓Did the AI ask for private information?
Common problems
Problems and simple fixes
- The file opens as text, not a projectThe filename probably still ends in .txt. Re-save it so the name ends in .html, then open it again.
- Blank screenOpen the file again. If it is still blank, ask the AI: “My project shows a blank screen. Fix it and keep it as one HTML file.”
- A button does nothingAsk the AI to check the button and the JavaScript, and to keep everything in one HTML file.
- The game, story, or tool is too complicatedAsk for a much simpler version with fewer features. Tiny is the goal — you can add more later, one change at a time.
- The AI added too many featuresAsk it to remove the extras and keep only the basics you agreed on.
- The AI split the project into several filesAsk it to put all the HTML, CSS, and JavaScript back into one single HTML file.
- The sample opens but my project does notCompare the two. Your project file may be saved as .txt, or the code may be incomplete. Re-copy the full code and re-save it ending in .html.
- A parent does not know how to codeThat is fine — the AI writes the code. Your job is to guide, supervise, and help copy and save files. Use the prompt cards and these fixes.
Suggested fix prompts
Copy one of these to a parent-approved AI assistant. When copying prompts, use ideas, not secrets.
Make it simpler
Please make this much simpler and keep it all in one HTML file.
Back to one file
Please put all the code back into one single HTML file with no external libraries.
Privacy check
Please check this project for any private information and remove anything personal. Use made-up, general ideas only.
More prompts: Prompt Cards.
When to stop and ask a parent
- •If the AI asks for private information — stop, do not share it, and tell it to use made-up, general ideas only.
- •If a browser warning appears — stop and ask a parent before continuing.
- •If the project asks for an upload, login, payment, or account — stop. None of these are needed for the course.
- •If your child is getting frustrated — save the file and take a break. The project will still be there later.
Per-lesson help
Each lesson has its own troubleshooting section near the end of the page: