To be honest, I've always had a problem with the paper towel method myself.
I recently popped 7 in the past 3 weeks, and out of the 7 the ones I used the paper towel method either didnt germinate or died as a seedling. Although the reasons for my failings in the method are more than likely user error, Ive found that Ronins method has worked 100% of the time for me without any hiccups. Here is a link to his method. Very simple, and is now my go to method for germination.
https://www.autoflower.org/threads/germination-the-ronin-way.33891/