Frequent questions

Semanux Access is a software that allows you to operate your computer without a mouse and keyboard. Instead, you can use one or more alternative input options. For example, you can control your computer with head movements and facial expressions recognized by your webcam. But Semanux Access offers even more input options.

You can find more information at What is Semanux Access and who is it for? in our help section.

Semanux Access is developed by Semanux, a start-up based in Stuttgart.

Would you like to use your computer without a mouse and keyboard? Whether it's because you can't move your hands so easily, you often don't have a hand free or you simply want to use the mouse less. Then Semanux Access is made for you!

In addition to personal use, we have also developed Semanux Access to enable everyone to use the computer in school and work environments, and so that computer operation is no longer a problem in education and work.

Semanux Access should work on most computers with Microsoft Windows or macOS. Just have a look at the system requirements, which we list in our help center.

Your computer is a bit older? No problem! Semanux Access usually also works on older devices. Just try out the free trial version to see if it works for you.

No, for technical reasons we can only offer Semanux Access for Microsoft Windows and macOS computers.

You probably don't need to buy any special input devices to use Semanux Access. Most laptops nowadays have a webcam. This is enough to allow you to operate your computer with Semanux Access using only your head movements and facial expressions.

Don't worry if your computer doesn't have a webcam. It doesn't have to be an expensive one. Many electronics retailers sell suitable webcams that cost no more than a good pizza at an Italian restaurant. The same applies if you also want to use a button or a controller. We don't want to recommend any specific products here, but we have compared a few webcams, buttons and controllers in the past.

For some users, it may make sense to purchase an eye tracker to control the computer using only eye movements. Contact one of our partners GazeFirst or eyeV if you want to find out more and give it a try.

There are 3 different editions of Semanux Access:

• Semanux Access Free is the free edition of Semanux Access, with which you can try out the most important features to find out whether Semanux Access is right for you.
• Semanux Access Flex is the subscription edition of Semanux Access, which gives you access to the full range of features. An active subscription is required to use it.
• Semanux Access Pro offers the full range of features like the Flex edition and is distributed exclusively via our network of specialist dealers. They will install the software on your computer, set it up and assist you with any questions or problems.

You can find more details on our product page.

You can try out Semanux Access Free directly by downloading the installation file from the download page and running it.

If you would like to try out the functions of Semanux Access Flex afterwards, you can create a free Semanux account. This will give you a free 14-day trial access.

Even without an active subscription, you can continue to use Semanux Access Free with a reduced range of functions after the 14-day trial version has expired. Find out more about this on our Semanux Access Free product page.

Our partners also offer coverage via the healthcare system in many European countries and Turkey. Visit our Semanux Access Pro page to find a partner in your country or area.

If none of these options work for you, contact us. Maybe we can find a solution!

Click here for the download page.

Take a look at our help center to learn how to use the computer with Semanux Access. There you will find written instructions on how everything works. There are also videos on some topics – we are already working on more!

We recommend to first take a look at getting started and then continuing with the basics.

Under Settings: Version you can see the current version that you have installed.

With the button Check now for an update you can check if there is a new version and install it.

You can also activate the option Automatically search for new versions of Semanux Access. Semanux Access will then check for a new version every time the program is started and install it automatically.

Alternatively, you can always download the latest installation file from our download page and run it. You do not have to remove the old version. All your settings are automatically transferred to the new version.

If a setting is described in the help section but you cannot find it in your system, there may be several possible reasons for this:

• Perhaps you are still using an older version of Semanux Access? It is best to first check whether your version is the current one and then update it.
• Perhaps only the quick settings are currently displayed? Under type of settings you can switch between Quick and All at the top. Only the latter will show you all settings.
• If you cannot select All, check whether the lock is active. Enter the correct pin to unlock Semanux Access and access all settings.
• If you have purchased Semanux Access from a specialist dealer, some functions may be locked. Please contact your dealer to unlock them.

If you are still stuck and have a suggestion for a new setting, you are welcome to contact us.

If the lock is activated, you can only access the Quick settings. Click on Unlock now at the top and enter the correct PIN.

If you have received Semanux Access from a specialist dealer, it is possible that they have assigned a PIN themselves and activated the lock. Please contact your dealer to unlock it.

If you have set the PIN yourself but can no longer remember it, please contact us.

If you want to operate your computer only with Semanux Access, i.e. completely without mouse & keyboard, two prerequisites must be met:

1. When you start your computer, your user account must be set by your operating system so that no password or pin request is made before logging in. For security reasons, it is not possible for other programs such as Semanux Access to enter your password for you.
2. After you have logged into your user account, Semanux Access must start automatically. You can set this in Settings: Launch at Login.

If both are set, it is sufficient to press the start button on your computer. It should then automatically boot up, log into your user account and start Semanux Access.

You do not need an active internet connection to use Semanux Access.

However, there is one exception: We need to make sure that you have purchased Semanux Access legally. For Semanux Access Flex with a monthly subscription, this means that your computer must be connected to the internet once a month. For Semanux Access Pro, where you only need to enter an activation code once, a single internet connection is sufficient.

At the moment, Semanux Access only supports vertical scrolling, i.e. scrolling up or down.

If you want to scroll horizontally, i.e. to the left or right, you can do this by clicking or drag-and-drop on the scroll bars.

Too bad you don't want to use Semanux Access anymore!

• For Microsoft Windows: Open the Start menu and then the Settings of Windows by clicking on the cogwheel. Click on Apps. In the list of installed programs, scroll to Semanux Access and click on Uninstall.
• For macOS: Drag the Semanux Access icon from your Applications folder to the Trash.

We would be happy if you write us what you didn't like about Semanux Access and what we can improve!

This is probably because your webcam is not properly connected to the computer. Try unplugging the cable that goes from your webcam to the computer and plugging it in again. Then click on Refresh list. It may also help if you restart Semanux Access or your computer.

If this does not help, check whether you can use your webcam in other programs. If this is not the case, the problem is with your webcam or how it is connected.

Check whether you have activated the correct webcam.

Your webcam may be covered or the lens may be dirty. Remove or open the cover and clean the camera lens if necessary.

If this does not help, your antivirus program may be blocking access to the camera. You must then allow Semanux Access to access the camera in the antivirus software and then restart Semanux Access.

It is normal for Semanux Access to continue accessing your webcam even though you have activated the pause. This is because you need to be able to end the pause in exactly the same way as you activated it - for example by moving your head. Otherwise you would always have to use the mouse and keyboard to end the pause.

Under Microsoft Windows, a webcam cannot be used by several programs at the same time. So if you are already using your webcam in Semanux Access for head control, the webcam image will remain black in other programs such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.

If you want to use Semanux Access together with other webcam programs, such as video chat software, we recommend connecting a second webcam. This second webcam can also be a simple/cheap model, as the head detection of Semanux Access will still work well.

Alternatively, there are third-party programs to split the video stream of a webcam into two or more virtual webcams: SplitCam, Webcamoid, Snap Camera. The programs and their functionality are subject to the conditions and guarantees of the respective providers.

Under macOS this restriction does not exist. The same webcam can be used by several programs at the same time.

This is probably because your microphone is not properly connected to the computer. Try unplugging the cable that goes from your microphone into the computer and plugging it in again. Then click on Refresh list. It may also help if you restart Semanux Access or your computer.

If this does not help, check whether you can use your microphone in other programs. If this is not the case, the problem is with your microphone or how it is connected.

Check whether you have activated the correct microphone.

Maybe you are too far away from your microphone? Try speaking a little louder. Is there still no signal? It may help if you set your microphone to a louder input level:

• Under Microsoft Windows you can do this under Start menu > Settings > System > Sound > Input, or via the speaker icon in the notification area of the taskbar if you right-click on it and select Open sound settings. You can then increase the volume under Device properties.
• Under macOS you can do this under System settings > Sound > Input > Input volume.

If this does not help, your antivirus program may be blocking access to the microphone. You must then allow Semanux Access to access the microphone in the antivirus software and then restart Semanux Access.

The detection of humming noises is still under development and may not always work reliably. Try different types or lengths of humming noises. Please make sure that there are no disturbing noises in the background.

You use a button or pedal with Semanux Access by setting your button or pedal so that it triggers like a key on your keyboard. How this works depends on what kind of button or pedal you have. Usually you can set this in the software that belongs to your button or pedal. Then you just have to tell Semanux Access which keyboard key triggers your button or pedal.

The easiest way to do this is to select the Preset: Head movement + button during the first setup. It also describes what you can then do with the button.

More information under Settings: Buttons.

The easiest way to do this is to select a preset with controller during the first setup. This also describes what you can then do with the controller.

More information under Settings: Controller.

Under Microsoft Windows, the Xbox Game Bar is intended to make certain functions available when playing video games. However, as it usually gets in the way when using Semanux Access, we recommend deactivating the Xbox Game Bar.

To do this, open the Start menu and then the Settings of Windows by clicking on the gear icon. Select the Games category, search for the Game Bar and turn it off.

This is a feature of Microsoft Windows 11. However, you can only use it to operate certain Microsoft programs. As this function usually interferes with the operation of Semanux Access, we recommend deactivating it.

To do this, you can activate the option Disable incomplete control of Microsoft apps under Windows 11 by the Xbox controller under Settings: Controller. Then restart your computer once to apply the change.

For this you need an eyetuitive eye tracker from GazeFirst or a Skyle eye tracker from eyeV.

The easiest way to use it with Semanux Access is to select the Preset: Only eye movement during first setup. This also describes how the eye control then works.

More information under Settings: Eye Tracker.

This is probably because your eye tracker is not properly connected to the computer. Try unplugging the cable that goes from your eye tracker to the computer and plugging it in again. Then click on Reconnect. It may also help if you restart Semanux Access or your computer.

Under Microsoft Windows 10 it may be that the connection must first be set up in your operating system. To do this, eyeV has published instructions. Then click on Reconnect again.

Either your eye tracker is not yet calibrated correctly or you have moved your head too much since the last calibration. It is best to perform a new eye tracker calibration.

In our privacy policy we describe how we process personal data when you use this website.

In the privacy policy for Semanux Access we describe how personal data is processed when using Semanux Access.

Please write us a message with the keyword “personal data”. We will answer your request as soon as possible.

Please write us a message with the keyword “account deletion”. We will answer your request as soon as possible.

Depending on the type of input device, we can integrate it into Semanux Access independently or need access to technical documentation or driver software.

Contact us if you are interested in a collaboration and would like us to advertise your input devices as compatible with Semanux Access on our website, for example.

We are always looking for new distribution partners for Semanux Access.

Contact us if you are interested in working with us and would like us to add your company to the list of Semanux Access Pro distributors.