> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.4thewords.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Troubleshooting > Fix common desktop app problems and send us a debug bundle. Most problems come down to a missing permission or an app that isn't on your list. Check these first, then send us a debug bundle if you're still stuck. ## 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](/tools/desktop-app/installing.md). 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](/tools/desktop-app/word-counting-and-my-sites.md). ### 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 it `Trojan: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. Exclude the install folder, not your Downloads folder. ### 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: ```bash theme={null} FTW_WEBKIT_DMABUF=off 4thewords ``` For the AppImage: ```bash theme={null} WEBKIT_DISABLE_DMABUF_RENDERER=1 ./4thewords*.AppImage ``` If that fixes it, [tell us](/resources/support.md) your graphics card. If it's still blank, try `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](/tools/desktop-app/installing.md#keeping-the-app-up-to-date). ## 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](/resources/support.md) with the bundle and a sentence on what you expected and what happened instead. A screenshot helps too. The bundle holds the app's log (launches, syncs, counts, and errors) and its settings: the apps and sites on your list, your word counts, and your account number. It **never** holds your text, your password, or your sign-in. ## Frequently Asked Questions > **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?** > > 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?** > > No. Your battles, streak, and words live on your 4thewords account. Sign in again after reinstalling and everything is there. **Still stuck?** > **[Installing & Signing In](/tools/desktop-app/installing.md)** > > Reinstall the app and sign in again. > **[Permissions & Privacy](/tools/desktop-app/permissions-and-privacy.md)** > > What the app can see and what it never stores or sends. This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.