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Browser Extension Troubleshooting

Detailed troubleshooting for Ethikal browser extension issues.

Installation Issues​

Can't Find Extension in Store​

Chrome Web Store:

  1. Search for "Ethikal Privacy Extension"
  2. Verify publisher: Ethikal
  3. Look for official logo
  4. Avoid similarly-named extensions

If not found:

  • Check you're in correct country
  • Verify Chrome version is 88+
  • Try direct link from ethikal.com
  • Contact support for help

Installation Fails​

Error: "This extension may have been corrupted"

Solutions:

  1. Clear Chrome cache
  2. Restart browser
  3. Try again
  4. If still fails, manually install

Manual Installation:

  1. Download from GitHub releases
  2. Unzip the file
  3. Go to chrome://extensions
  4. Enable "Developer mode"
  5. Click "Load unpacked"
  6. Select unzipped folder

Extension Immediately Disabled​

Possible causes:

  • Not from Chrome Web Store
  • Incompatible Chrome version
  • Corporate policy blocking

Solutions:

  1. Install from official store
  2. Update Chrome to latest version
  3. Check with IT if corporate device
  4. Use personal device if blocked

Connection Issues​

Can't Sign In to Extension​

Symptoms:

  • "Sign In" button does nothing
  • Popup closes immediately
  • Never redirects back

Solutions:

  1. Allow popups

    • Check popup blocker
    • Allow popups from ethikal.com
    • Try signing in again

  2. Clear extension data

    • Right-click extension icon
    • Remove from Chrome
    • Reinstall
    • Sign in again

  3. Check browser settings

    • Enable third-party cookies (temporarily)
    • Disable other privacy extensions
    • Try incognito mode

"Not Authorized" Error​

Solutions:

  1. Re-authorize extension

    • Visit ethikal.com
    • Go to Settings > Extensions
    • Click "Authorize Extension"
    • Follow prompts

  2. Check account status

    • Log into ethikal.com
    • Verify account is active
    • Check no restrictions

  3. Reinstall extension

    • Remove completely
    • Clear browser data
    • Reinstall fresh
    • Authorize again

Tracking & Blocking Issues​

No Trackers Being Blocked​

Check these first:

  1. Extension enabled?

    • Icon should be colored (not gray)
    • Click icon to verify status
    • Enable if disabled

  2. Website whitelisted?

    • Click extension icon
    • Check if "Protection: Off"
    • Remove from whitelist if unintended

  3. Privacy level too low?

    • Click extension icon
    • Check privacy level
    • Increase if set to "Off" or "Minimal"

Still not working?:

  1. Update filter lists

    • Extension options
    • Go to "Filter Lists"
    • Click "Update All"
    • Restart browser

  2. Check website type

    • Some sites have no trackers
    • Try visiting news/shopping sites
    • Should see blocks there

Too Many False Positives​

Symptoms:

  • Website features broken
  • Can't submit forms
  • Can't watch videos
  • Can't check out

Solutions:

  1. Lower privacy level

    • Click extension icon
    • Set to "Balanced" instead of "Maximum"
    • Refresh page

  2. Whitelist specific trackers

    • Click extension icon
    • View blocked list
    • Click allow on needed trackers
    • Refresh page

  3. Whitelist entire site

    • Click extension icon
    • "Disable Protection"
    • Choose duration
    • Use site normally

Badge Count Wrong​

Shows 0 when blocking:

  1. Refresh the page
  2. Check extension enabled
  3. Reinstall extension

Shows high count but nothing blocked:

  1. Check blocked list in popup
  2. May be counting attempts vs actual blocks
  3. This is normal behavior

Performance Issues​

Extension Using Too Much Memory​

Check memory usage:

  1. Go to chrome://extensions
  2. Click "Details" on Ethikal
  3. Check "Inspect views"
  4. Look at memory

If high (>200MB):

  1. Disable tracking history

    • Extension options
    • Uncheck "Save tracking history"
    • Restart browser

  2. Reduce custom filters

    • Remove unused filter lists
    • Stick to default lists
    • Clear filter cache

  3. Clear extension data

    • Extension options
    • Click "Clear Data"
    • Confirm

Browser Slowing Down​

Solutions:

  1. Disable on heavy sites

    • Whitelist YouTube, streaming sites
    • Reduces processing load
    • Re-enable when needed

  2. Lower privacy level

    • "Balanced" uses less resources
    • "Maximum" requires more processing
    • Adjust based on needs

  3. Update extension

    • Check for updates
    • Latest version is most optimized
    • Restart after update

Pages Loading Slowly​

Not extension:

  1. Check internet speed
  2. Try without extension
  3. If same speed, not extension

Is extension:

  1. Optimize block lists

    • Use fewer lists
    • Default lists sufficient
    • Custom lists add overhead

  2. Allow CDNs

    • Some CDNs mistakenly blocked
    • Whitelist major CDNs
    • Improves load times

Sync Issues​

Settings Not Syncing​

Across devices:

  1. Check signed in

    • Must be logged in
    • Same account on all devices
    • Verify in extension popup

  2. Manual sync

    • Export settings from one device
    • Import on other devices
    • Extension options > Export/Import

  3. Check sync enabled

    • Extension options
    • "Sync settings" checked
    • Save and reload

Tracking Data Not Syncing​

To Ethikal dashboard:

  1. Check connection

    • Extension icon shows "Connected"
    • If not, re-authorize

  2. Wait for sync

    • Syncs every hour
    • Manual sync in options
    • Check dashboard after sync

  3. Check date range

    • Dashboard may show different dates
    • Expand date filter
    • Look for your data

Update Issues​

Extension Won't Update​

Auto-update failed:

  1. Manual update

    • Go to chrome://extensions
    • Enable "Developer mode"
    • Click "Update" button
    • Restart browser

  2. Reinstall

    • Export your settings first!
    • Remove extension
    • Install latest from store
    • Import settings

Update Broke Extension​

After update, extension not working:

  1. Clear cache

    • Extension options
    • Clear all data
    • Restart browser

  2. Reinstall previous version

    • Remove current version
    • Download previous from GitHub
    • Load unpacked (developer mode)
    • Report bug to support

Popup & UI Issues​

Click icon, nothing happens:

  1. Reload extension

    • Go to chrome://extensions
    • Toggle extension off/on
    • Try popup again

  2. Check for errors

    • Right-click extension icon
    • Inspect popup
    • Check console for errors
    • Screenshot and report

  3. Reinstall

    • Last resort
    • Export settings first
    • Remove and reinstall

Common errors:

"Could not load data":

  • Refresh popup
  • Check internet connection
  • Re-authorize extension

"Extension update required":

  • Update to latest version
  • Restart browser

"Account not found":

  • Sign in to extension
  • Verify account exists
  • Contact support if persists

Privacy & Security​

Extension Asking for Suspicious Permissions​

On first install, these are normal:

  • ✅ Read and change data on websites (to block trackers)
  • ✅ Manage your downloads (for data export)
  • ✅ Read browsing history (local only, for tracking detection)

These are NOT requested:

  • ❌ "Read your messages"
  • ❌ "Manage your apps"
  • ❌ Anything not listed above

If suspicious:

  • Don't grant permission
  • Uninstall immediately
  • Report to support
  • Download from official store only

Fake Extension Warning​

How to verify it's official:

  1. Publisher: Must be "Ethikal"
  2. Store URL: Must be from Chrome Web Store
  3. Install count: Should be high (10,000+)
  4. Reviews: Check for consistent reviews
  5. Contact: Verify on ethikal.com

Extension Compromised?​

If you suspect compromise:

  1. Remove immediately
  2. Change Ethikal password
  3. Disconnect wallet
  4. Check account activity
  5. Contact support
  6. Reinstall from official source

Browser-Specific Issues​

Chrome​

Not loading correctly:

  • Update Chrome to latest version
  • Clear all Chrome data
  • Disable other extensions
  • Try in new Chrome profile

Firefox​

Add-on not working:

  • Verify Firefox 85+
  • Check add-on enabled
  • Allow in private windows (if needed)
  • Check permissions granted

Brave​

Conflicts with Brave Shields:

  • Disable Brave Shields on ethikal.com
  • Ethikal extension supersedes Shields
  • Use one or the other, not both

Edge​

Extension compatibility:

  • Install from Edge Add-ons store
  • Not Chrome Web Store
  • Edge-specific version available

Safari​

Not available yet:

  • Safari version coming soon
  • Use Chrome/Firefox/Edge for now
  • Join waitlist on ethikal.com

Developer Tools​

For Advanced Users​

Check extension logs:

1. Right-click extension icon
2. Click "Inspect popup"
3. Go to Console tab
4. Look for errors (red text)
5. Network tab shows requests

Check background script:

1. Go to chrome://extensions
2. Find Ethikal
3. Click "Inspect views: background page"
4. Check Console for errors

Clear extension storage:

1. Inspect popup
2. Go to Application tab
3. Clear Storage
4. Reload extension

Getting Help​

Information to Provide​

When reporting extension issues:

Required:

  • Browser name and version
  • Extension version
  • Operating system
  • What you were doing
  • What happened
  • Error messages (screenshot)

Helpful:

  • Console errors (screenshot)
  • Network tab screenshot
  • Specific website where it happened
  • Steps to reproduce

Where to Report​

Bug Reports:

Feature Requests:

Most extension issues can be resolved with a reinstall. Don't forget to export your settings first!