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Browse & Earn Troubleshooting

Resolve common issues with the Ethikal browser extension and maximize your earning potential.

Quick Diagnostics​

Is Your Extension Working?​

✓ Check These Signs:

  • Extension icon is colored (not grayed out)
  • Popup shows "Connected ✓"
  • Today's earnings showing (even if $0.00)
  • Last activity timestamp is recent

✗ Problem Signs:

  • Icon is gray or missing
  • Popup shows "Not Connected"
  • Earnings stuck at $0.00 for days
  • Error messages in popup

Installation Issues​

Extension Won't Install​

Symptoms:

  • Chrome Web Store shows error
  • "Add to Chrome" button doesn't work
  • Installation starts but fails
  • Extension disappears after install

Solutions:

1. Check Browser Compatibility

Required versions:
- Chrome 88 or higher
- Edge 88 or higher
- Brave 1.20 or higher

To check your version:

  • Chrome/Edge: Go to chrome://settings/help
  • Brave: Go to brave://settings/help
  • Update if needed

2. Clear Browser Cache

  1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Cmd+Shift+Delete (Mac)
  2. Select "All time"
  3. Check "Cached images and files"
  4. Click "Clear data"
  5. Try installing again

3. Disable Conflicting Extensions

  • Temporarily disable ad blockers
  • Disable other privacy extensions
  • Try installing Ethikal again
  • Re-enable others after successful install

4. Try Incognito Mode Test

  1. Open incognito/private window
  2. Visit installation page
  3. Try installing extension
  4. If works, issue is with another extension

5. Check Managed Browser

  • Work/school computers may restrict extensions
  • Check with IT department
  • May need admin permission
  • Try on personal computer instead

QR Code Won't Scan​

Symptoms:

  • Phone camera doesn't recognize QR code
  • QR code scanner app says invalid code
  • Link doesn't open after scanning

Solutions:

1. Improve Scan Conditions

  • Increase phone and computer screen brightness
  • Ensure good lighting
  • Hold phone 6-12 inches from screen
  • Keep phone steady and centered
  • Clean phone camera lens

2. Try Different QR Scanner

  • Use native camera app (iPhone/Android)
  • Try Google Lens
  • Download dedicated QR scanner app
  • Use QR code reader browser extension

3. Verify QR Code is Fresh

  • QR codes expire after 24 hours
  • Generate new QR code in mobile app
  • Wait for QR code to fully load
  • Check internet connection on phone

4. Use Alternative Method

  • Try email link instead
  • Use manual installation method
  • Copy URL directly from mobile app

Token Expired or Invalid​

Error Messages:

  • "This installation token has expired"
  • "Invalid token"
  • "Token already used"

Why This Happens:

  • Tokens expire after 24 hours
  • Each token is one-time use only
  • Token may be from old installation attempt

Solutions:

1. Generate Fresh Token

  1. Open Ethikal mobile app
  2. Go to Settings → Browser Extension
  3. Tap "Generate New QR Code"
  4. Use new QR code immediately

2. Install Quickly

  • Complete installation within 24 hours
  • Don't wait between steps
  • Generate new token if delayed

3. Don't Reuse Tokens

  • Each computer needs new token
  • Can't share tokens with others
  • Generate fresh token for reinstalls

Connection Issues​

Extension Shows "Not Connected"​

Symptoms:

  • Extension installed but shows "Not Connected"
  • Can't authenticate
  • Popup shows error message
  • Earnings not tracking

Solutions:

1. Verify Internet Connection

  • Check you're online
  • Try opening ethikal.com
  • Disable VPN temporarily
  • Switch networks if available

2. Check Mobile App Connection

  1. Open Ethikal mobile app
  2. Verify you're logged in
  3. Go to Settings → Browser Extension
  4. Check if extension is listed
  5. If not, reconnect from mobile app

3. Reconnect Extension

  1. Click extension icon
  2. Click "Disconnect" if option available
  3. Go to mobile app → Settings → Browser Extension
  4. Generate new QR code
  5. Scan and reconnect

4. Reinstall Extension

  1. Remove extension from browser
  2. Restart browser
  3. Generate new token in mobile app
  4. Install extension fresh
  5. Complete authentication

Frequent Disconnections​

Symptoms:

  • Extension connects then disconnects randomly
  • Status switches between connected/disconnected
  • Have to reconnect often

Solutions:

1. Check Heartbeat Issues

  • Extension sends "heartbeat" every 5 minutes
  • Firewall may be blocking
  • Check browser console for errors

2. Allow Extension in Firewall

Windows:

  1. Search "Windows Security"
  2. Go to Firewall & network protection
  3. Allow an app through firewall
  4. Add your browser to allowed apps

Mac:

  1. System Preferences → Security & Privacy
  2. Firewall tab
  3. Firewall Options
  4. Add browser to allowed list

3. Disable Power Saving

  • Some computers sleep network connections
  • Disable browser power saving:
    • Chrome: chrome://settings/?search=power
    • Uncheck "Continue running background apps"

4. Check Network Restrictions

  • Work/school networks may block websockets
  • Try from home network
  • Contact IT if on work computer

Earning Issues​

No Earnings Showing​

Symptoms:

  • Earnings stuck at $0.00
  • Browsing but balance doesn't increase
  • Extension says "Active" but no money

Solutions:

1. Verify Tracking is Working

  1. Click extension icon
  2. Check "Sites visited today" is increasing
  3. If not increasing, extension isn't tracking

2. Check You're on Trackable Sites

These DON'T earn:

  • chrome:// pages (browser settings)
  • file:// pages (local files)
  • Private/incognito browsing
  • Your blocked sites list
  • Some banking/financial sites

These DO earn:

  • News sites (nytimes.com, cnn.com)
  • Shopping sites (amazon.com, ebay.com)
  • Social media (facebook.com, twitter.com)
  • Entertainment (youtube.com, netflix.com)

3. Allow Time for Processing

  • Earnings process every 5-15 minutes
  • May not show immediately
  • Check back after 30 minutes of browsing
  • Daily totals update at midnight

4. Check Ad Blocker Interference

  • Ad blockers may block tracking
  • Extension can't track if ads blocked
  • Try disabling ad blocker temporarily
  • Use extension's built-in privacy controls instead

Earnings Lower Than Expected​

Symptoms:

  • Earning less than $0.80-$2.50/month range
  • Friends earn more with same browsing
  • Earnings decreased suddenly

Solutions:

1. Compare Your Activity

Typical earnings by usage:

  • Light (1-2 hrs/day): $0.80-$1.20/month
  • Moderate (3-5 hrs/day): $1.20-$1.80/month
  • Heavy (6+ hrs/day): $1.80-$2.50/month

2. Check Privacy Settings

  • Higher privacy = lower earnings
  • Go to extension settings
  • Check privacy level (Standard recommended)
  • Lower privacy = more data shared = higher pay

3. Browse Higher-Value Sites

Higher value:

  • Shopping and e-commerce
  • Travel and hotels
  • Financial services
  • Automotive research

Lower value:

  • General news
  • Government sites
  • Educational resources
  • Blog reading

4. Verify Active Browsing

  • Idle tabs earn less than active
  • Background tabs earn minimal
  • Actively viewed pages earn most
  • Close unnecessary tabs

Earnings Not Syncing to Mobile App​

Symptoms:

  • Extension shows earnings
  • Mobile app shows $0
  • Totals don't match between devices

Solutions:

1. Wait for Sync

  • Syncs every 5-15 minutes
  • Can take up to 30 minutes
  • Check back later

2. Force Sync

  1. Close mobile app completely
  2. Reopen mobile app
  3. Pull down to refresh earnings page
  4. Check desktop earnings section

3. Verify Connection

  1. Check extension shows "Connected ✓"
  2. Check mobile app shows extension as active
  3. Last activity should be recent

4. Check Account Match

  • Verify logged into same account on both
  • Extension email matches app email
  • If different, disconnect and reconnect

Performance Issues​

Browser Running Slow​

Symptoms:

  • Browser feels sluggish
  • Pages load slowly
  • High CPU or memory usage

Solutions:

1. Check Extension Resource Usage

  1. Open Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc)
  2. Look for browser processes
  3. Ethikal should use less than 1% CPU, less than 50MB RAM
  4. If higher, may be issue

2. Restart Browser

  • Close all browser windows
  • Wait 10 seconds
  • Reopen browser
  • Extension reloads fresh

3. Update Extension

  1. Go to chrome://extensions
  2. Enable "Developer mode"
  3. Click "Update" button
  4. Restart browser

4. Clear Extension Data

  1. Click extension icon
  2. Settings → Advanced
  3. "Clear cached data"
  4. Restart browser

5. Report Performance Issue

  • If still slow, contact support
  • Include browser version
  • Include computer specs
  • Describe specific slowness

Extension Not Responding​

Symptoms:

  • Click extension icon, nothing happens
  • Popup doesn't open
  • Extension appears frozen
  • Can't access settings

Solutions:

1. Reload Extension

  1. Go to chrome://extensions
  2. Find Ethikal extension
  3. Toggle OFF then ON
  4. Try clicking icon again

2. Restart Browser

  • Complete close and reopen
  • Extension reloads automatically

3. Check for Browser Errors

  1. Right-click extension icon
  2. Select "Inspect popup"
  3. Check Console tab for errors
  4. Screenshot and send to support

4. Reinstall Extension

  • Remove and reinstall fresh
  • Use new token from mobile app

Mobile App Issues​

Can't Find Extension Settings​

Location:

  1. Open Ethikal mobile app
  2. Tap Settings (bottom nav bar)
  3. Scroll down to "Desktop Features" section
  4. Tap Browser Extension

Not seeing it?

  • Update mobile app to latest version
  • Check you're logged in
  • Feature may not be available in your region yet

Extension Not Showing in App​

Symptoms:

  • Installed extension but not in mobile app
  • "Connected" in browser but "Not installed" in app
  • Can't see extension stats

Solutions:

1. Wait for Heartbeat

  • Extension pings every 5 minutes
  • May take up to 10 minutes to appear
  • Be patient, refresh app

2. Force Heartbeat

  1. Click extension icon in browser
  2. Click "Settings"
  3. Click "Sync now"
  4. Refresh mobile app

3. Check Connection Status

  • Extension must show "Connected ✓"
  • If not, reconnect from mobile app

Account & Permissions​

"Extension blocked by administrator"​

Symptoms:

  • Can't install extension
  • Message about admin restrictions
  • Managed by your organization

This Means:

  • Computer is managed (work/school)
  • IT department restricts extensions
  • Can't install without permission

Solutions:

  • Request permission from IT department
  • Explain Ethikal is privacy tool, not risky
  • Try on personal computer instead
  • Wait until you get home computer access

Multiple Accounts Issue​

Symptoms:

  • Have multiple Ethikal accounts
  • Extension connected to wrong account
  • Can't switch accounts

Solutions:

To Switch Accounts:

  1. Disconnect extension in mobile app
  2. Log out of mobile app
  3. Log into correct account
  4. Reconnect extension with new token

Best Practice:

  • Use one Ethikal account
  • Connect all devices to same account
  • All earnings credit to one place

Browser-Specific Issues​

Chrome Issues​

Extensions page not loading:

  • Try chrome://extensions/
  • Restart Chrome
  • Check for Chrome updates

Extension not syncing:

  • Chrome sync may interfere
  • Disable Chrome sync for extensions:
    • Settings → Sync → Manage what you sync
    • Uncheck "Extensions"

Edge Issues​

Can't find extension:

  • Check Edge Add-ons store
  • Also check Chrome Web Store (works on Edge)

Edge sync problems:

  • Similar to Chrome, disable extension sync

Brave Issues​

Brave Shields interfering:

  1. Click Brave Shields icon
  2. Turn off shields for ethikal.com
  3. Reload page

Private browsing:

  • Brave has aggressive privacy
  • May block extension tracking
  • Use standard windows

Data & Privacy​

Want to See What Data is Collected​

View Your Data:

  1. Click extension icon
  2. Settings → Privacy → View Data
  3. See all tracked information
  4. Export if desired

Data Includes:

  • Websites visited (domains only)
  • Time spent per site
  • Ad auctions you participated in
  • Data value calculations

Does NOT Include:

  • Specific pages/URLs
  • Passwords or form data
  • Private browsing activity
  • Banking information

Want to Delete Extension Data​

To Remove Your Data:

1. From Browser:

  1. Click extension icon
  2. Settings → Privacy
  3. "Delete all local data"
  4. Confirm deletion

2. From Server:

  1. Open mobile app
  2. Settings → Privacy → Data Rights
  3. Request data deletion
  4. Confirm in email

3. Complete Removal:

  1. Uninstall extension from browser
  2. Disconnect in mobile app
  3. Request account deletion if desired

Getting More Help​

Still Having Issues?​

1. Check Extension Console

  1. Right-click extension icon
  2. "Inspect popup"
  3. Check Console for errors
  4. Screenshot and send to support

2. Contact Support

Email: support@ethikal.com

Include:

  • Browser version
  • Extension version (found in chrome://extensions)
  • Operating system
  • Description of issue
  • Screenshots if possible
  • What you've tried already

3. Community Help

Prevention Tips​

Keep Everything Running Smoothly​

Regular Maintenance:

  • Update browser monthly
  • Update extension when prompted
  • Restart browser weekly
  • Clear cache monthly

Best Practices:

  • Keep extension pinned to toolbar
  • Don't disable unless necessary
  • Allow all requested permissions
  • Check connection status weekly

Optimization:

  • Review blocked sites list monthly
  • Adjust privacy settings as needed
  • Update payment info before withdrawal
  • Monitor earnings in mobile app

Most issues resolve quickly with these solutions. If you're still stuck, we're here to help!

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