How do you recover when your presentation slides crash mid-speech?

Don't panic.. Just acknowledge the technical glitch and switch to the Drawing Board / Flip Chart to sketch the essence of the rest of the slides and take the presentation forward. (a) The content and the logic of the presentation will be well deposited in your memory in the case you do your slides by your self, which is recommended. (b) As a resourceful presenter, it is always healthy to present the work with prior knowledge on the content which also showcases your capability to adapt to situations while portraying your skills and experience. *Be a Smart Presenter : Keep a back-up of the slides in your smartphone and check the possibilities to present from the handset using smart features such as Samsung DeX, Screen mirroring etc.

This happened with me once I was presenting in front of CEO.. Here's what I did- Shift to a Verbal Presentation: Continue your presentation verbally, using your notes or memory to guide you through the key points. Share anecdotes, examples, or insights to keep the audience engaged. Acknowledge the Issue Briefly: Address the technical problem without dwelling on it. For example, "It seems we're having some technical difficulties with the slides."

When a slide crash happens, staying calm is essential. Your reaction sets the tone for how the audience will respond. Take a moment to collect yourself, then reassure everyone that the presentation will go on. This can be a great opportunity to engage with the audience on a more personal level, perhaps even lightening the mood with a bit of humor. Remember, the real value of your presentation lies in your insights and expertise, not just the visuals on the screen.

Handling a presentation slide crash during a speech can be unnerving, but there are effective ways to recover gracefully. First, manage your expectations: recognize that technical glitches happen to everyone. Stay calm and composed—self-forgiveness is key. Next, focus on the content rather than the medium. You can continue verbally, drawing on your knowledge and expertise. Embrace the imperfection; it’s part of being human. Lastly, be present in the moment, engage with your audience, and adapt as necessary. Remember, preparation is essential, but flexibility is equally important. You’ve got this!????????

When your presentation slides crash mid-way, the key is to stay calm and composed. Take a deep breath and acknowledge the technical issue with a smile. If you have a flair with humor you could crack a joke to break the ice. This transparency builds trust and shows you’re in control. Continue speaking without the slides, focusing on your key points and engaging the audience with eye contact and gestures. Share anecdotes or examples to reinforce your message. As a public speaking coach I always say internalise your presentation and know it inside out without being dependent on your slides. Your slides should have minimal information. Practice to know your material from every angle. Stay confident and your audience will stay with you.

Having a good understanding of your presentation is important. Ability to have a good knowledge of how to give a good summery will help

This is why you should always make your own presentations. Long years ago, I worked in the corporate sector where I had been asked to make presentations for others in far higher positions. I always wondered what would happen if there was a technical issue. Because if you don't make your own presentation, you won't know the content properly, and won't be able to keep the momentum going and improvise by building on what you know.

In the current era of rising print costs plus environmental sustainability, you can instead resort to circulating your slides via PDF. Depending on the attendees, this could be via e-mail, Whatsapp group, or even a QR code that directs scanners to a Google Drive/OneDrive link with the PDF.

Taking a moment to lighten the mood with the audience can be a game changer. Use this time to summarize what's been discussed so far and address any follow-up questions that were set aside for the end. This is your chance to make things more collaborative and two-sided. Stay calm—easier said than done, but it’s okay! Technology can glitch, and everyone understands that. Keep things light-hearted and continue as you normally would.

Preparation is always better than cure! Being well prepared keeps you confident and equipped to manage unexpected challenges. So always practice your material in advance and have que cards with key notes only to help keep you on track - even without the presentation slides!

Always assume that something is going to go wrong. Assume that a Windows update will happen at the wrong time, the projector won't play ball with your laptop, or even that there will be a total system outage. That way, you'll force yourself to create a contingency plan.