Focus Troubleshooting¶

This page covers common issues with Focus and their solutions. If your problem is not listed here, contact [email protected].

Website Blocking Issues¶

Blocked site is still accessible¶

DNS cache -- Your browser may have cached the site's address. Close and reopen the browser, or clear the browser DNS cache.
Check the domain -- Verify the exact domain is in the block list. Some sites use variations (e.g., m.facebook.com vs. facebook.com). Blocking facebook.com should cover subdomains, but verify in your settings.
VPN or proxy active -- If a VPN or proxy is running, it may bypass Focus's blocking. Block proxy and VPN sites, or configure Focus to work alongside your VPN.
Multiple browsers -- Ensure Focus is blocking across all installed browsers, not just one.

Block page not showing¶

Focus should display a custom block page when a site is blocked. If you see a generic browser error instead, Focus's blocking is still working but the block page display may need configuration.
Check Settings > Block Page to verify the block page is enabled.

App Limit Issues¶

App time limit not counting correctly¶

Focus tracks active time, not total time the app is open. If an app is open in the background but not the active window, it does not count against the limit.
Verify the correct application is being tracked. Some apps have multiple processes, and Focus needs to track the correct one.

Blocked app can still launch¶

Ensure Focus is running (check the system tray).
Restart Focus if it was recently updated.
Verify the app's executable path matches what Focus is monitoring.

Installation and Startup Issues¶

Focus does not start with Windows¶

Open Focus settings
Go to Settings > General
Enable Start with Windows
If already enabled, check Windows Task Manager > Startup tab to ensure Focus is not disabled there

"Access denied" errors¶

Focus requires administrator privileges to enforce restrictions. Right-click the Focus shortcut and select Run as administrator, or verify the installation was done with admin rights.

Password Issues¶

Forgot admin password¶

There is no built-in password recovery. Contact [email protected] with proof of purchase for assistance.

Do Not Reinstall

Simply uninstalling and reinstalling Focus may not reset the password, as settings may be preserved. Contact support for the proper recovery procedure.

Performance Issues¶

Computer is slow after installing Focus¶

Focus uses minimal system resources. If you notice slowdowns, check:
- Screenshot capture frequency (reduce interval if set to every 1-2 minutes)
- Number of monitored applications
- Available disk space for logs and screenshots

High CPU usage¶

Restart the Focus service from the system tray
Check for pending updates and install the latest version
Reduce screenshot capture frequency if enabled

Email Report Issues¶

Reports not being sent¶

Verify SMTP settings in Employee > Email Reports
Send a test email to confirm connectivity
Check that the computer is on at the scheduled send time
Review firewall settings to ensure Focus can access the SMTP server

Still Need Help?

Email [email protected] with:

Your Focus version (found in Help > About)
The mode you are using (Productivity, Employee, or Parental)
A description of the issue
Any error messages

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