Spending hours building a report only to hit a wall when printing or uploading? Let’s fix that. This guide tackles the most common issues when publishing and distributing reports in HomeGauge Desktop Report Writer.
Pictures or Text Run off the Page
Issue: Pictures or text in your report extend beyond the page's boundaries.
Possible Causes and Solutions:
Oversized Image
Find the large picture
Use the Edit All Photos tool to resize it
Preview your report
Extra Spaces in Comments
Click Preview in the toolbar
In the Print Preview, scan for comments with blank trailing spaces
Edit and trim them down
Incompatible Display Settings
Find the HomeGauge 5 icon on your desktop.
Right-click it and select Properties
Click the Compatibility tab
Click Change high DPI settings
Check the box for Override high DPI scaling behavior
In the dropdown, choose System
Click OK, then Apply
Missing Sections in the Report
Issue: The main body of the report is missing.
Possible Causes and Solutions:
Fix 1: Print Settings
Go to Print Document Settings
Confirm that Report is checked
Fix 2: Data Folder Issue
Windows: Avoid special characters (like apostrophes) in usernames.
Move the HomeGauge folder to your computer's C: drive.
Issue: The summary section is missing from your report.
Possible Causes and Solutions:
Fix 1: Print Settings
Go to Print Document Settings
Confirm that Include Summary is checked
Fix 2: Template Compatibility
If using an older template, reinstall the latest version of HomeGauge 5. See: Desktop Report Writer: Download, Install, and Activate
Unwanted White Space or Blank Pages
Issue: There are blank or empty pages between inspection items.
Fix: See this article Desktop Report Writer: PDF Space Between Pages
Upload Errors
ZIP Error
Missing Attachment
Click Template > All Attachments.
Look for any attachments highlighted in red.
Note them and close this screen
Go to Misc > Attachments
Click the paperclip symbol
Click any missing attachments, then click the red X to remove them.
To replace the attachment, click the orange plus (+) and find the file
Click Save T
Missing Photo/Video
Click Preview and scroll through the report
Look for any empty boxes (missing media)
Note the inspection item number and close the preview
Locate that inspection item, and look for an empty gray box where a photo/video should be.
Left-click inside of the gray area, and select Delete Picture.
Retry the upload
If recovering a lost photo
Go to Report > View Photo Locker
Check if the image is still stored there
If the report was created on Companion, check that version and re-transfer
Cloud Backup Interference
Disable programs like Carbonite, Dropbox, or OneDrive during uploads or schedule backups for non-working hours.
PDF Form Issue
Add a new form to the report (click here for instructions)
Click Remove Picture next to each placeholder
Click Set Defaults from Current
Complete and use this form instead
Delete old version of the form from the report
Special Characters in Report
Check and remove any non-standard characters like ½, curly quotes, smart dashes, etc.
Check the Report ID
Check the Address
Check each comment, picture label, extra info field
Uploaded Report Has Missing Photos
Issue: Uploaded report shows broken links where pictures should be.
Cause: An attached file name contains invalid characters
Fix:
Open the report
Go to Misc > Attachments
Delete any attachments with non-standard punctuation
Find the file on your PC, right-click, and rename it manually
Re-add the document to Attachments
Re-upload the report
Uploading or Accessing Dashboard Does Nothing
No Internet Connection
Verify your computer is connected to the internet and troubleshoot as needed.
Internet Explorer Certificate Settings
Open Internet Explorer
Go to Tools > Internet Options > Advanced
Under Security, uncheck Check for server certificate revocation
Restart your computer
No Color and Pictures All Left-Aligned on Printed Report
This is an advanced operation for experienced computer users. If unsure, contact Support.
On your PC's taskbar, click the Start button or search bar, and search for regedit.exe
In the left column, click HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, then click .css
In the right column, double-click Content Type
In the dialog box, change value data to text/css
Click OK
Close the window