> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://support.deepfield-ai.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Participant FAQ

> Help with survey links, consent, audio or video permissions, and completing a study.

This page is for people invited to complete a DeepField survey. If these steps do not resolve the problem, contact the researcher or panel provider that sent your link. They can check the study and issue a new invitation when appropriate.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Why can't I go back to an earlier answer?">
    The researcher decides whether a survey allows backward navigation. If you see **Back**, use it to revise an earlier answer; the survey may then ask dependent questions again. If there is no Back control, answers cannot be changed from your current session. Contact the sender if you need a new invitation.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why is Start Survey unavailable?">
    Read the consent information and select the acceptance checkbox above **Start Survey**. The button becomes available after consent is accepted. On a small screen, scroll upward if the checkbox is not visible.

    <Frame caption="Choose the language, read the consent links, and accept before starting.">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/deepfieldai/qcWsRCXzDL76h9Bd/images/participants/participant-consent.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=qcWsRCXzDL76h9Bd&q=85&s=4b88af5d3cbcb921ffe7f79b34ce812b" alt="Participant welcome page with a language selector, consent links, acceptance checkbox, and Start Survey" width="1440" height="900" data-path="images/participants/participant-consent.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why does my link say it is invalid or expired?">
    A personal invitation may stop working after the survey is completed, after its expiry date, or after its allowed number of opens. Confirm that you are using the complete URL and have not already submitted the survey. If you still need to participate, ask the sender for a new link.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I leave and return later?">
    Usually, yes. Reopen the same personal link and the survey should continue from the saved point while the invitation remains valid. Do not share the link because it is connected to your response.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I allow microphone access?">
    When the browser prompts for microphone permission, choose **Allow**. If permission was blocked, open the site's permission controls beside the browser address, allow the microphone, and reload the page. Confirm that the intended input device is selected and not muted, then speak during the test.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I type instead of recording?">
    Some studies let you choose **Type Responses** at the start or **Switch to typing** on an audio question. If neither option is available, audio is required for that study. Contact the sender if you cannot provide an audio response.

    <Frame caption="Use Start Recording to answer by microphone, or Type when typing is allowed.">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/deepfieldai/dK8nllvOe0f0oG_-/images/participants/participant-audio.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=dK8nllvOe0f0oG_-&q=85&s=b7147fbc5fcd9e4cf4aaca7a09fff496" alt="Participant microphone screen with Start Recording, Type, and Back controls" width="1440" height="900" data-path="images/participants/participant-audio.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What if my camera is unavailable?">
    If the study supports audio-only participation, select **My video doesn't work** on the permission step. If that option is not shown, the study requires the configured media mode; contact the sender for guidance.

    <Frame caption="Review the camera preview before recording. This demonstration uses a synthetic camera feed.">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/deepfieldai/dK8nllvOe0f0oG_-/images/participants/participant-video.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=dK8nllvOe0f0oG_-&q=85&s=4a9848e3b94ba1920d6c5266d0770f96" alt="Video question with a synthetic camera preview, Start Recording, Cancel, Audio, and Type controls" width="1440" height="900" data-path="images/participants/participant-video.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why was I asked to answer a question again?">
    DeepField can reject an answer submitted too quickly to have been read or recorded properly. Take time to read the question and provide a complete response. Repeated rejected answers can end the session for quality reasons.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why did the survey finish after the opening questions?">
    Opening questions determine whether the study needs responses from your profile and whether its group targets are still open. The survey can end when you do not match a screening rule or when the relevant quota is full.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Before you start

Use the complete personal invitation supplied by the researcher or panel provider. Keep that link private.

## Protect your invitation

* Open links only from a sender you recognize.
* Do not forward a personal participation link.
* Do not include passwords or unrelated personal information in an answer.
* Close the tab after completing the survey, especially on a shared device.

## Still need help?

Send the researcher or panel provider the message shown on screen and explain the step where it occurred. Do not send them your passwords or authentication codes.

## Check the result

Wait for the completion message or the return to your provider. If an error remains, send its wording and the step where it occurred to the invitation sender, without passwords or authentication codes.

## Related

* [Understand research terms](/glossary)
* [Get help](/account-settings/getting-help)