If you're running a Freedom session that includes your Windows device, but it isn't working as expected, follow the steps below to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
Step 1: Check Device Status from the Freedom Dashboard
You can confirm whether Freedom is running on your devices from the online dashboard.
Log in with your Freedom account.
Look for your device in the Devices section.
Status Indicators:
Green Light: Freedom is active on the device.
Gray Light with Alert Symbol: Freedom is not currently active on the device.
Step 2: Look for the Freedom App in the Windows Taskbar
Another way to check if the Freedom app is running on your Windows computer is to look for the butterfly outline icon in your system tray.
The icon may be hidden—click the ^ (up arrow) in your taskbar to reveal hidden icons.
If you see the butterfly, Freedom is running.
If you don’t see the icon:
Open the Start menu
Search for Freedom
Launch the app
The butterfly icon should appear after launch
Step 3: Manually Sync the App to Start a Session
Freedom should automatically sync to start or end your sessions. If it doesn't, try a manual sync:
Click on the Freedom icon in the taskbar.
Select "Sync Freedom" from the menu.
This is particularly useful if:
You've just made changes in the dashboard.
Sessions are not starting or ending on time.
If syncing is frequently required to start a session, check the following:
Your computer must have a stable internet connection at the time the session is scheduled to start.
Ensure no third-party software is interfering with Freedom. Potential conflicts include:
VPNs
Antivirus software
Web filters or firewalls
Tip: a list of common VPNs you might be using can be found here: Freedom Troubleshooting for Windows
Step 4: Confirm You're Logged In to the App
If the app is running (butterfly icon is visible) but the device still shows as inactive in your dashboard, you may not be logged in to the app.
How to log in:
Click the butterfly icon in your taskbar.
Select "Log In".
Enter your Freedom account email and password.
Tips:
To avoid mismatches, make sure you're logging in with the same email address used on the browser dashboard.
You can view the email currently logged into the desktop app by checking the top of the app menu.
You can view the email logged into the dashboard by going to Settings and looking under the Email field.
Having trouble?
For more Windows troubleshooting tips, please see Freedom for Windows Troubleshooting. If you're having any difficulty, please feel free to contact us. We're happy to help!