Troubleshooting Tips: iPad

This article focuses on general troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve iPad issues affecting DreamBox Math or Reading Park.

(Aviso: Pulsa aquí para leer el artículo en español.)

Before you begin:  If you need help updating the app or are experiencing audio issues only, one of the articles below may be more helpful. For information and support on downloading the app, click here. Click here for guidance on troubleshooting audio issues.

Verify Your Device & Connection

Is your tablet an iPad?

The DreamBox Math and Reading Park apps are not available on Kindle Fire, Android tablets, mobile phones, or eReaders. You can access the educator or family dashboard from phones and other tablets using a web browser, but students will not be able to play either program. To check to see if your tablet is an iPad, turn it over and look for the Apple logo and the label "iPad" on the back. 

Check to make sure your iPad's internet connection is strong

If a student is kicked out of their account in the middle of a lesson or if you see the error message, "Unable to access DreamBox at this time," there is a strong chance that something is interfering with your internet connection. If students are experiencing errors playing at the same time at your building, your connection may not be strong enough to handle the number of students playing at the same time.

• Educators: Contact your school, district, or board IT department for internet connection issues.
• Families: If you are a parent or home subscriber, you may need to contact your Internet Service Provider.

Verify Student Login Method

• Click here to open directions to log students into Math
• Click here to open directions to log students into Reading Park. 

Check Your Device Settings & Apps

Make sure your iPad is an iPad 2 or higher, and your operating system is updated

Students cannot play DreamBox on an iPad 1. Your iPad must be an iPad 2 or higher (including the iPad mini) running the operating system iOS 9.3 or higher.
To check your operating system:

• Click the Home button, and then select the Settings icon.
• From the Settings page, tap General, and then select Software Update.

The Software Update page lists your current operating system and any required system updates. Please review the DreamBox Learning system requirements and update your system if required.

Are the DreamBox Apps Updated?

You may experience issues if you are using an older version of the Math or Reading Park apps. Click here to open directions to see if an app needs to be updated and to set it to auto-update.

Verify iPad/s Restriction settings (if you have access)

DreamBox Learning may not be recognized as a "safe" site by your firewall settings and needs to be added to allowed websites on an iPad. If you see a "Waiting to Connect" error, this can also be resolved by adjusting restrictions. Click here to open directions on how to review and adjust restrictions on an iPad. 

Educators: If you do not have access to a device's restriction settings and no other troubleshooting steps on this page help resolve the issue, please contact your school, district, or board IT department.

Make sure DreamBox Math is the only open app

When other apps are open they use a considerable amount of memory and power that can affect students' experience when playing DreamBox. To close all other apps:

• Click the Home button twice. All open apps are magnified.
• To close an app, touch and hold the icon and then slide it to the top of the screen. Do this with each open app except for the Math or Reading Park apps.
• Tap the Math or Reading Park app to begin playing again.

Enable the AssistiveTouch option

If lessons are closing unexpectedly, enabling the AssistiveTouch option may resolve the issue. To turn on Assistive Touch:

• Open Settings and choose Accessibility.
• When the window opens tap Touch, and then toggle AssistiveTouch to on. 

Restart App & iPad

Delete and download the Math and or Reading Park app again

The app may have a mandatory update or something may have happened when you downloaded the app the first time. The quickest way to solve either issue is to delete the app and download a clean copy. To do this:

• Make sure all other apps are closed.
• Tap and hold the Math or Reading Park app until it begins to wiggle and a small X appears in the top left corner of the app.
• Tap the X to delete the app.
• Tap the App Store icon on your iPad to open the App Store, and type "DreamBox Math" or "DreamBox Reading Park"  in the search bar.
• When the app appears, tap FREE or the Cloud icon to redownload the app. The app appears on your Home screen when it is ready to use.
• Tap the app to open and play.

Reboot your iPad

Just like a computer, if an iPad has been used continuously it can affect the device's performance. You may want to try rebooting your iPad. To reboot your iPad:

• Press and hold the Sleep/Wake button until the message slide to power off appears on your screen.
• Slide the power icon to shut down your iPad.
• Wait at least ten seconds, then press and hold the Sleep/Wake button or Home button to restart your iPad

If the suggestions in this article don't help you resolve the issue, please contact DreamBox Customer Support.

Updated August 26, 2024 16:06