ScreenPact
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ScreenPact Help

Troubleshooting

Safe first checks for the most common ScreenPact problems.

Start with the visible state

Check the remaining time, button color, Protection card, schedule reason and Windows connection before restarting anything. These five facts usually identify the correct next step.

A parent’s moment

Something does not look right

Start with the safest visible checks. ScreenPact should never require a parent to guess at routes, services or registry settings.

1

Dashboard does not open

Confirm ScreenPact is running in the notification area, then right-click the tray icon and choose Open Dashboard again. The local Dashboard depends on the ScreenPact desktop process running in the signed-in Windows session.

2

Tray icon is missing

Open the notification-area overflow arrow first. If ScreenPact is not listed, restart Windows once. Do not manually stop or delete the ScreenPact service.

3

Settings do not save

Re-enter the parent passcode if authorization expired. Confirm that the trial is still active or ScreenPact is registered, make the change again and wait for a visible Saved result before closing the page.

4

Yellow button while time remains

This is a network-connection problem, not an empty ScreenPact allowance. Work from the simplest check to the most technical:

  1. Confirm the router is online and another device can reach the internet.
  2. In Windows, disconnect from the family Wi-Fi and connect again. For Ethernet, unplug and reconnect the cable.
  3. If that does not help, have the parent open Settings → Network & internet → Advanced network settings, disable the active Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter, wait a few seconds, then enable it again.
  4. If Windows still has no valid address, open Command Prompt as the parent Administrator and run ipconfig /release, followed by ipconfig /renew.
  5. Restart Windows once. If other devices are also offline, restart the home router according to its manufacturer’s instructions.

Do not edit Windows routes, delete the ScreenPact service or change the daily limit to solve a yellow-with-time-remaining state.

5

Internet does not return after Pause

Allow Windows a short moment to restore normal networking and confirm that no scheduled block is active. If the button is yellow while time remains, follow the network checks in step 4. Restart Windows once if needed.

6

Settings need to be set again

ScreenPact could not use either configuration copy. Protection is paused and internet remains available by design. Verify the parent passcode, re-enter the family plan and save it again.

7

Timer overlay is not visible

Confirm the ScreenPact desktop process is running in the active Windows session. Multi-session overlay behavior is a current v1.2.3 limitation; sign out unused sessions and contact support if needed.

Still not resolved?

Email the exact message, Windows version, ScreenPact version and whether the problem started after install, update, restart or a settings change.

Contact support