Handling problems while officiating
Score out of sync with the server, a team not showing up, both teams absent, the common error messages — and what to do about each.
Updated 9/27/2026
If you see "Score out of sync with the server", stop scoring
That strip means the number on your device and the number on the server disagree — usually a patchy network, or another device also recording the same game. Don't keep scoring. Tap the strip to resync, then check the score against the flip board before recording the next rally. The console deliberately does not change the number under your hand, because the referee's screen is the source of truth.
Common messages and what to do
- “Couldn't record the point”. One rally failed to send. A red strip appears on the bottom bar; tap to dismiss. Keep scoring as normal and watch for an out-of-sync strip.
- “This game is already being scored”. Another referee started this exact rubber. Check whether you are on the rubber you were assigned — don't override.
- “This game has ended”. The score is complete and the system won't take more rallies. Press close.
- “This match has ended”. The match is closed and the bracket has advanced. To change it you must reopen the match from the detail screen, which is logged.
- “You don't have permission to score this match.” Your account hasn't been granted result-entry permission for the tournament. Tell the organisers.
- “Couldn't save the court — try again.” The console keeps you on the pick-court step rather than throwing you out. Try again; if it still fails, skip the court step and score as normal.
One team doesn't show up
At the call-on step each team has a 5-minute clock. If it runs out and the team hasn't arrived, the console shows a red Walkover button on that team's row.
Tapping it opens a confirmation stating the consequences: the match ends immediately, the team present wins and is recorded with the full score in every game (the absent team on 0) so the group still has a point difference. The reason for the walkover is not written into the match record, so tell the referee team verbally so they can note it separately.
Before you press, make sure you have called properly and checked with the referee team — this action ends the match immediately.
Both teams are absent
When both clocks run out and neither team appears, the console shows one red button filling the row: “Both teams absent — close as no contest”.
This is the only correct way out of this situation. The consequences:
- Group play — both teams are recorded as losing; neither gets a point.
- Knockout — nobody advances; the team on the other branch goes straight through to the next round.
Don't patch it by handing the win to one team. That match would carry a wrong result permanently, and leaving it blank locks both the group and the bracket branch.
When the two teams disagree about the score
Open the three-dot menu and choose Match record. There you'll find a log of every rally with its timestamp, who was serving and receiving, and every time-out and medical break. That is what you check against on the spot — not memory.
Frequently asked questions
My device died mid-match — can I open another one?
Yes. The score lives on the server, not on your device. Open the console on another device with an account that has permission, pick the right game or rubber, and keep scoring. Note that the switch-ends overlay won't pop up when you take over mid-game.
I accidentally exited the console — is the score still there?
Completely intact. Reopen the console and you'll see the right score. Only the roll-call state and any running clocks are lost, because they only live on the device.
The match was given as a walkover but the other team then arrived — can it be reopened?
Reopening a match is done from the match detail screen and needs result-entry permission. Ask the referee team to decide before reopening, because a closed match may already have advanced the bracket to the next round.
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