Troubleshoot common NotebookLM problems and errors

Fix common NotebookLM problems including failed source uploads, AI not finding information, Audio Overview errors, sign-in issues, and slow loading.

If something isn’t working as expected in NotebookLM, this page covers the most common issues and how to resolve them. Work through the steps for your issue, and check the tip at the bottom if the problem persists.

My source failed to upload or process

Check the following:

• File size: PDFs over 500 MB may fail to upload. Try compressing the file or splitting it into smaller parts.
• File format: Confirm the file is a supported format. Unsupported formats cannot be processed.
• Password protection: NotebookLM cannot read password-protected files. Remove the password before uploading.
• Google Docs or Slides: Make sure you have at least view access to the file. If the file is shared with you, confirm the sharing permission is still active.

If none of these apply, try removing the source and re-uploading it.

The AI says it can't find information in my sources

This usually means one of two things:

• The content isn’t in your sources: The answer you’re looking for may not appear in any of your uploaded documents. Check whether you’ve added all the relevant sources.
• The question phrasing doesn’t match: Try rephrasing your question using different wording, or be more specific about which source or topic you’re asking about.

Also confirm that each source shows a green checkmark in the source panel, indicating it was fully processed. Sources that failed to process won’t contribute to answers.

Audio Overview failed to generate

To generate an Audio Overview, you need at least one fully processed source in your notebook. If generation fails:

1. Refresh the page and try generating again.
2. Check that at least one source has a green checkmark (fully processed).
3. If the issue continues, remove the source, re-add it, wait for it to finish processing, then try generating again.

See Audio Overview for more details on how this feature works.

YouTube video source isn't working

NotebookLM uses a video’s captions to extract content. For a YouTube video to work as a source:

• The video must have captions or subtitles available. Check on YouTube that CC (closed captions) is shown on the video.
• Auto-generated captions are usually sufficient.
• Some videos have captions disabled by the uploader. If captions are unavailable, NotebookLM cannot process the video.

If a video doesn’t have captions, consider finding a transcript and pasting it as a text source instead.

I can't access a website URL I added

NotebookLM can only fetch publicly accessible pages. A URL may fail to load if the page:

• Is behind a paywall or login screen
• Requires JavaScript to render its content
• Has access restrictions (geo-blocking, robots exclusion, etc.)

As an alternative, copy the text content of the article or page and add it as a Pasted text source instead. This works for most text-based content regardless of how the page is structured.

NotebookLM is loading slowly or not responding

Try the following steps in order:

1. Check your internet connection.
2. Refresh the page.
3. Clear your browser cache and reload.
4. Try a different browser. Chrome is recommended for the best experience.

If the issue affects only one notebook, try opening a different notebook to determine whether it’s notebook-specific or a broader issue.

I can't sign in to NotebookLM

Check the following:

• Valid Google Account: You must sign in with a Google Account. Other account types are not supported.
• Regional availability: NotebookLM may not be available in your region. Visit notebooklm.google.com to confirm access.
• Multiple accounts: If you’re signed in to more than one Google Account, browser sessions can conflict. Try signing out of all Google accounts, then sign back in with the one you want to use.

My notebook disappeared

Notebooks are tied to the Google Account used to create them. If you don’t see a notebook:

• Confirm you’re signed in to the correct Google Account. Check the account icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
• If you have multiple Google Accounts, switch accounts and look for the notebook there.

If you’ve confirmed the correct account and the notebook still isn’t visible, it may have been deleted. Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone.

The Notebook Guide output seems inaccurate

AI-generated summaries, study guides, and other Notebook Guide outputs are not guaranteed to be perfect. The AI can misinterpret phrasing or miss nuance in complex documents. If an output seems off:

• Always verify key facts by clicking through the citations to read the original source passages.
• Try regenerating the output—results can vary between runs.
• Rephrase or narrow your request for a more focused result.

See Notebook Guide for guidance on getting the best results.

Audio Overview is in the wrong language

Audio Overview is generated based on the language detected in your sources. If your sources are in multiple languages, the output language may vary or be inconsistent. To get Audio Overview in a specific language, make sure all your sources are written in that language before generating.

If an issue persists, try signing out and back in, or opening NotebookLM in an incognito or private browser window. This rules out cached data and account session issues as the cause.

General FAQ

Find answers to common questions about NotebookLM—what it is, how it works, and what’s included for free.