Cold Turkey Blocker Not Working: Troubleshooting Guide

Are you struggling with Cold Turkey Blocker not working as expected? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. This comprehensive guide will help you diagnose and fix the issue so you can get back to focusing on your productivity.

Before we dive in, let’s first understand what Cold Turkey Blocker is and how it works.

Cold Turkey Blocker is a powerful tool that helps you stay focused and productive by blocking distracting websites and applications. It offers various features, including website and application blocking, scheduling, breaks and even a “Frozen Turkey” mode that locks your computer for a designated period.

Now, let’s troubleshoot the issue of Cold Turkey Blocker not working.

Step 1: Verify Blocker Activation

• Ensure the toggle switch for the specific block is enabled. This is crucial for both continuous and scheduled blocks.
• Check if the block affects your user. Hover over the block name and click the user icon to confirm.
• Make sure there are no active breaks. If a break is set, you’ll have limited access to blocked websites and applications until the break ends or your allowance is used up.

Step 2: Double-Check Website Exceptions

• Review your website exceptions list. Sometimes, overly broad exceptions can conflict with your desired blocking rules.
• Ensure the extension is installed and enabled in your browser. Check your browser’s extensions page (e.g., chrome://extensions in Chrome).
• Verify that the extension has the necessary permissions. Grant “Site access” permission and enable “Include in search pages” in Opera.

Step 3: Address Application Blocking Issues

• Confirm that the correct executable file is added. Use the Windows Task Manager to locate the process name of the app you want to block.
• Reinstall the Windows service. Run the “CTServiceInstaller.exe” file located in the Cold Turkey installation directory (C:Program FilesCold Turkey).
• Update or reinstall the app. Ensure you’re using the latest version of both Cold Turkey and the app you’re trying to block.

Step 4: Troubleshoot Browser-Specific Issues

• For Firefox users: Try removing and reinstalling the extension using the latest version.
• For macOS users (versions 10.12 to 10.14.4): Install the Swift 5 Runtime libraries and restart your Mac.
• For Safari users: Ensure the extension is enabled in Safari’s Preferences > Extensions.

Step 5: Consider Additional Factors

• Check if the block is locked. A locked block cannot be disabled, even if Cold Turkey Blocker appears not to be working.
• Review your system’s date and time settings. Incorrect settings can cause scheduling issues.
• Temporarily disable antivirus or firewall software. These programs can sometimes interfere with Cold Turkey Blocker’s functionality.

If you’ve tried all these steps and Cold Turkey Blocker is still not working, don’t hesitate to reach out to their support team. They’re always happy to help and provide further assistance.

Here are some additional resources that might be helpful:

• Cold Turkey Support: https://getcoldturkey.com/support/
• Cold Turkey User Guide: https://getcoldturkey.com/support/user-guide/
• Cold Turkey Community Forum: https://getcoldturkey.com/forum/

Remember, Cold Turkey Blocker is a powerful tool, but it’s not foolproof. Understanding how it works and following these troubleshooting steps will help you overcome any issues and get back to focusing on what matters most – your productivity.