Quick Detailed
Quick Troubleshooting
Before we get started, double-check that your child’s device is turned on, unlocked, and connected to your home Wi-Fi.
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Make sure your Mac or Windows computer is on and awake.
If you're using the Bark Home, you can skip this step. -
See if Bark can detect the device over Wi-Fi.
From your Bark parent app, tap the monitoring tile, then look forConnected to your home computer (or Bark Home).
- If the device is detected over Wi-Fi, tap on the message and then click Start Analyzing.
- If it's not detected over Wi-Fi, plug in your kid's device to your computer or the Bark Home.
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Verify that Bark is detecting the device when it's plugged in.
From your Bark parent app, tap the monitoring tile, then look forConnected to your home computer (or Bark Home).
- If it's detected when plugged in, click on the message and then click Start Analyzing.
Need more help?
Check out the detailed troubleshooting tab at the top of this article.
Detailed Troubleshooting
Start with clicking on the first one below and follow the steps in order.
Make sure the device is connected by plugging it in
First, let's enable Airplane Mode on your child's device. This will tell us whether the device can connect directly through being plugged in (and not via Wi-Fi).
- Open up the ⚙ Settings app on your child's device.
- Toggle Airplane Mode ✈ to On.
- Unplug the device and plug it back in.
- Next, click on Connected to your home computer (or Bark Home) and then on Start Analyzing.
- If the analysis is successful after being plugged in, remember to turn Airplane Mode off. This means it's working at least one way!
- Next, verify the device is detected over Wi-Fi.
- If you get the same error, move on down to the next step.
Make sure your computer is on and awake
Bark can't analyze your child's device if your computer is powered off or asleep.
(If you’re using the Bark Home device, you can skip this step)
- Double-check your computer's sleep settings. Need help? Get instructions for Mac and Windows PC so you can make sure it stays on longer.
- Once you're done, unplug your child's device from the computer and plug it back in.
- Next, click on Connected to your home computer (or Bark Home) and then on Start Analyzing.
- If the analysis is successful, verify the device is detected over Wi-Fi.
- If you get the same error, move on down to the next step.
Check your device's storage space
Bark can't analyze the device if there is not enough storage.
(If you’re using the Bark Home device, you can skip this step)
- Double-check the available storage space on your devices.
- Once you're done, unplug your child's device and plug it back in.
- Next, click on Connected to your home computer (or Bark Home) and then on Start Analyzing.
- If the analysis is successful, check to verify the device is detected over Wi-Fi.
- If you get the same error, move on down to the next step.
Add Bark as an exception in your firewall
Firewalls help your devices keep out unwanted apps — but you want Bark! Here’s how to fix it.
- Check out this article: Allow Bark Through Your Firewall.
- Once you're done, unplug your child's device and plug it back in.
- Next, click on Connected to your home computer (or Bark Home) and then on Start Analyzing.
- If the analysis is successful, check to verify the device is detected over Wi-Fi.
- If you get the same error, move on down to the next step.
If you're using a VPN or work computer, try a personal computer instead
- If you use a VPN on your computer or router, turn it off.
- If it's your work computer, it may have special security that prevents the Bark Desktop App from working. We recommend using your personal computer.
- Still no luck? Move on down to the next step.
Check for software updates
Are you running the most current version of your software? If not, Bark may encounter issues.
- We can walk you through how to install software updates on your devices.
- Once you're done, unplug your child's device and plug it back in.
- Next, click on Connected to your home computer (or Bark Home) and then on Start Analyzing.
- If the analysis is successful, check to verify the device is detected over Wi-Fi.
Still no luck?
Check to see if it's one of these common errors.
Pro Tips
- Newer iOS devices may ask for a lockscreen passcode on each analysis. We know this isn't ideal, but Apple has made even more strict rules about device access. To avoid entering the passcode, consider turning it off or adjusting the auto-lock settings.
- Analyses will happen automatically and wirelessly but you can always manually start one if needed.
- If using the Bark Desktop App, adjust your computer's sleep settings (Windows / Mac) to ensure the computer and device can always communicate.
- Firewalls and VPNs on the computer can impact analyses through the Bark Desktop App.
- Work computers can impact analyses through the Bark Desktop App. Try using a personal computer.