Troubleshooting Guide

This guide helps you resolve common issues you might encounter while using CulicidaeLab. Find solutions to technical problems, performance issues, and feature-specific challenges.

Quick Solutions

App Won't Start or Crashes

Symptoms: App closes immediately, won't open, or crashes during startup

Solutions: 1. Restart the App: Close completely and reopen 2. Restart Device: Power off and on your phone/tablet 3. Check Storage: Ensure at least 500MB free space 4. Update App: Install latest version from app store 5. Clear Cache: Clear app cache in device settings

Android Specific: - Go to Settings > Apps > CulicidaeLab > Storage > Clear Cache - If problem persists, try "Clear Data" (will reset app settings)

iOS Specific: - Delete and reinstall the app if other solutions don't work - Check iOS version compatibility (requires iOS 12.0+)

Classification Not Working

Symptoms: Camera won't open, photos won't analyze, or results don't appear

Immediate Fixes: 1. Check Permissions: Ensure camera and photo access are enabled 2. Restart App: Close and reopen CulicidaeLab 3. Try Different Image: Use a clearer, well-lit photo 4. Check Storage: Free up device storage space 5. Wait for Model: Allow time for AI model to load on first use

Gallery or Disease Info Won't Load

Symptoms: Empty screens, loading indicators that don't finish, or error messages

Solutions: 1. Check Internet: Ensure stable internet connection for initial data download 2. Wait for Loading: Initial data download may take 1-2 minutes 3. Restart App: Close and reopen if loading seems stuck 4. Clear Cache: Clear app cache to refresh data 5. Update App: Ensure you have the latest version

Camera and Photo Issues

Camera Won't Open

Problem: Camera button doesn't work or shows error

Check Permissions: - Android: Settings > Apps > CulicidaeLab > Permissions > Camera (Enable) - iOS: Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera > CulicidaeLab (Enable)

Other Solutions: - Close other apps using the camera - Restart the device - Check if camera works in other apps - Update the app to latest version

Photos Are Blurry or Poor Quality

Problem: Images are unclear, making identification difficult

Photography Tips: - Lighting: Use bright, natural light - Distance: Get closer to the mosquito while maintaining focus - Stability: Hold device steady or use a tripod - Focus: Tap on the mosquito to focus before taking photo - Background: Use plain, contrasting background

Technical Solutions: - Clean camera lens - Check if camera focus is working in other apps - Try different camera modes if available - Ensure adequate lighting conditions

Gallery Photos Won't Select

Problem: Can't select existing photos from device gallery

Permission Check: - Android: Settings > Apps > CulicidaeLab > Permissions > Storage/Photos - iOS: Settings > Privacy & Security > Photos > CulicidaeLab

Other Fixes: - Restart the app - Try selecting different photo formats (JPEG works best) - Check if photos are stored locally (not just in cloud) - Ensure photos aren't corrupted## AI Model and Classification Issues

Model Won't Load

Problem: "Model not loaded" error or classification doesn't start

Solutions: 1. Wait for Loading: Model loading can take 30-60 seconds on first launch 2. Check Storage: Ensure at least 200MB free space for model files 3. Restart App: Close completely and reopen 4. Check Platform: Ensure you're using Android or iOS (not supported on web/desktop) 5. Update App: Install latest version with model improvements

Memory Issues: - Close other apps to free RAM - Restart device if memory is very low - Consider device upgrade if consistently problematic

Classification Results Seem Wrong

Problem: AI identifies wrong species or gives low confidence

Photo Quality Check: - Ensure mosquito fills most of the frame - Check that image is sharp and well-focused - Verify good lighting without harsh shadows - Make sure entire mosquito is visible

Verification Steps: 1. Compare with Gallery: Check species images in gallery 2. Try Multiple Photos: Take several photos from different angles 3. Check Geographic Range: Verify species occurs in your location 4. Consider Alternatives: Look at other high-confidence results

Slow Classification Performance

Problem: Analysis takes very long or appears stuck

Performance Optimization: - Close Background Apps: Free up device memory - Restart App: Fresh start can improve performance - Reduce Image Size: Use smaller images if possible - Check Device Temperature: Allow device to cool if overheated - Update App: Newer versions may have performance improvements

Device Considerations: - Older devices may process more slowly - Ensure device meets minimum requirements - Consider upgrading device for better performance

Network and Connectivity Issues

Map Won't Load

Problem: Mosquito activity map shows errors or won't display

Network Troubleshooting: 1. Check Internet: Ensure stable Wi-Fi or cellular connection 2. Try Different Network: Switch between Wi-Fi and cellular 3. Restart Router: Reset Wi-Fi connection 4. Check Firewall: Ensure app isn't blocked by network security 5. Wait and Retry: Server may be temporarily unavailable

Observation Submission Fails

Problem: Can't submit mosquito observations to research database

Submission Troubleshooting: - Check Internet: Stable connection required for submission - Verify Location: Ensure location services are enabled - Complete Required Fields: Fill all mandatory information - Try Later: Server may be busy, try again in a few minutes - Check App Version: Update to latest version

Language Changes Don't Apply

Problem: App doesn't switch to selected language

Language Fixes: 1. Restart App: Close completely and reopen 2. Check Device Language: Ensure device supports selected language 3. Clear Cache: Clear app cache and restart 4. Reinstall App: Delete and reinstall if problem persists 5. Update App: Ensure latest version with language improvements

Performance and Storage Issues

App Runs Slowly

Problem: Laggy interface, slow responses, or delayed actions

Performance Solutions: - Free Memory: Close other running apps - Restart Device: Clear system memory - Clear Cache: Remove temporary files - Free Storage: Delete unnecessary files to free space - Update App: Install performance improvements

Device Optimization: - Keep at least 1GB free storage - Restart device regularly - Update device operating system - Remove unused apps

Storage Space Warnings

Problem: Device shows low storage warnings

Storage Management: 1. Delete Unused Apps: Remove apps you don't use 2. Clear Photo/Video Cache: Remove old media files 3. Move Files to Cloud: Use cloud storage for photos/videos 4. Clear App Caches: Clear cache for multiple apps 5. Use Storage Analyzer: Find and remove large files

CulicidaeLab Specific: - App uses approximately 300MB when fully loaded - Model files are cached locally for offline use - Gallery images are cached for better performance

Platform-Specific Issues

Android Issues

App Permissions Reset: - Android may reset permissions after updates - Manually re-enable camera, storage, and location permissions - Check "Auto-start" permissions for background model loading

Battery Optimization: - Disable battery optimization for CulicidaeLab - Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization > CulicidaeLab > Don't Optimize

Storage Access Framework: - If gallery access fails, try using "Files" app to select photos - Clear storage permissions and re-grant them

iOS Issues

App Transport Security: - Ensure iOS version supports required security protocols - Update iOS if map or network features don't work

Background App Refresh: - Enable Background App Refresh for CulicidaeLab - Settings > General > Background App Refresh > CulicidaeLab

iCloud Photo Library: - If photos won't select, ensure they're downloaded locally - Settings > Photos > Download and Keep Originals

Advanced Troubleshooting

Complete App Reset

If multiple issues persist, try a complete reset:

1. Export Data: Save any important observations or notes
2. Clear All Data:
3. Android: Settings > Apps > CulicidaeLab > Storage > Clear Data
4. iOS: Delete and reinstall app
5. Restart Device: Power cycle your device
6. Reinstall App: Download fresh copy from app store
7. Reconfigure: Set up permissions and preferences again

Diagnostic Information

When contacting support, provide: - Device model and operating system version - CulicidaeLab app version - Specific error messages - Steps to reproduce the problem - Screenshots of issues (if applicable)

Factory Reset Considerations

As a last resort for persistent device-wide issues: - Back up all important data first - Factory reset may resolve deep system conflicts - Reinstall apps and restore data carefully - Consider professional device support

Getting Additional Help

In-App Support

• Check for help icons (ℹ️) throughout the app
• Look for tooltips and contextual help
• Review app notifications for guidance

Community Resources

• User forums and discussion groups
• Social media communities
• Educational institution support

Professional Support

• Contact app developers through official channels
• Report bugs through app store reviews
• Reach out via official website or email

Emergency Situations

For medical emergencies related to mosquito-borne diseases: - Contact local emergency services immediately - Don't rely solely on app information for urgent medical decisions - Consult healthcare professionals for medical concerns

Remember: Most issues can be resolved with simple solutions like restarting the app or checking permissions. If problems persist, don't hesitate to seek help from the support resources listed above.

For frequently asked questions, see our FAQ Guide.