Words aren’t counting
Nothing counts on a Mac
Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility and check that 4thewords is on. On macOS 11 and 12, open System Preferences → Security & Privacy → Privacy → Accessibility.Nothing counts on Linux
Open the app and click Enable word counting. With the AppImage, or on Bazzite and other Fedora Atomic systems, the commands are in Installing & Signing In. After you run them, log out and back in or restart: your running session doesn’t get the new permission until then.One app doesn’t count
Check the line under Words Today. If it says “Not counting”, click its Count button. See Word Counting & My Sites.Typing in an app run as administrator doesn’t count on Windows
Windows hides apps running as administrator from normal programs. The app tells you when this happens. Open your editor the normal way, from the Start menu or taskbar, and it counts.Pasted text doesn’t count on Linux
Some Linux desktops block the app from seeing pasted text. The app tells you if yours does. Typing counts as normal.It’s a work or school computer
A computer managed by work or school can block the permission the app needs to count your typing. If it’s blocked, ask whoever runs the computer, or use your own.Words aren’t reaching your account
If the Mini bar or window shows Sync issue, Couldn’t reach server, or a count of unsynced words, your words are saved on your computer and waiting to send.1
Check your connection
Make sure your internet is on, then click Sync.
2
Check Sync to 4thewords
Open Settings and check that Sync to 4thewords is on. With it off, words stay on this computer.
3
Sign in again if asked
If the app says your session ended, click Sign in or Reconnect. Your waiting words send once you’re back in.
The app shows up wrong
Windows Security removed the app
Windows Security sometimes mistakes a new app that counts typing for a threat. It may name itTrojan:Win32/Bearfoos.A!ml. The !ml at the end means it’s an automatic guess, not a confirmed virus.
1
Update Windows Security
Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Protection updates, click Check for updates, and run the installer again.
2
Restore the app if it disappears again
Open Protection history on the same page, click the 4thewords item, and choose Actions → Allow on device (or Restore).
3
Exclude the install folder
Go to Virus & threat protection settings → Manage settings → Exclusions and add the folder
%LOCALAPPDATA%\4thewords. Paste it into the address bar of the folder picker. Run the installer again.Cold Turkey Writer hides the app
While a Cold Turkey Writer session runs, it covers every window that isn’t its own, including 4thewords, even with Keep the window on top on. Pick your monster and start your battle before you start the Cold Turkey session.The window opens blank on Linux
Some graphics drivers, most often NVIDIA’s, show an empty 4thewords window. The app already works around the NVIDIA driver it can detect. If yours is still blank, quit 4thewords and start it from a terminal with the faster renderer turned off:WEBKIT_DISABLE_COMPOSITING_MODE=1 in front of the same command.
The app opened as a popover again on Linux
If your desktop had no tray icon when the app first started, it opened as a window and kept your popover choice for later. The next time it finds a tray, it goes back to the popover. Choose Window under Show 4thewords as in Settings to stay in the window.The Mini bar hides behind my editor on Linux
Wayland desktops don’t let apps stay on top, and windows reopen where the desktop decides. An X11 session avoids both.Updates
If a banner says Update required, click Update now. Counting stays paused until you do. If an update can’t finish, the banner says why and offers Try again. See Installing & Signing In.Sending a debug bundle
A debug bundle is the fastest way for us to see what happened.Where to find it: 4thewords icon → Settings → Export debug bundle
1
Export the bundle
Click Export debug bundle in Settings, or choose Export debug bundle… from the menu-bar or tray menu.
2
Find the zip
A zip file appears on your Desktop. On a Linux computer without the
zip command, it’s a .tar.gz file instead.3
Send it to us
Contact support with the bundle and a sentence on what you expected and what happened instead. A screenshot helps too.
Frequently Asked Questions
The app is running but I can't find its window.
The app is running but I can't find its window.
Click the 4thewords icon in the menu bar or tray and choose Open 4thewords. On Windows, look behind the ^ arrow next to the clock.
Does closing the window stop the app?
Does closing the window stop the app?
No. The app keeps running and counting in the menu bar or tray. Click Quit app in Settings to stop it completely.
I reinstalled the app. Did I lose my progress?
I reinstalled the app. Did I lose my progress?
No. Your battles, streak, and words live on your 4thewords account. Sign in again after reinstalling and everything is there.
Installing & Signing In
Reinstall the app and sign in again.
Permissions & Privacy
What the app can see and what it never stores or sends.