Troubleshooting

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Quick answer

Most issues are network ones. Make sure both computers are on the same Wi-Fi or LAN, allow EasySwitch through the firewall on Windows, grant the Local Network permission on macOS, and avoid phone hotspots, which isolate devices and block discovery.

Most EasySwitch problems come down to the network or a permission. Work top to bottom.

The other computer doesn’t show up

Same network? Both machines must be on the same Wi-Fi or wired LAN. Guest networks and “AP isolation” separate devices — switch to your main network.
Firewall (Windows). Allow EasySwitch through Windows Defender Firewall on Private networks. If you dismissed the prompt, delete any EasySwitch block rules and relaunch. See Install on Windows.
Local Network permission (macOS). Allow it under System Settings, Privacy and Security, Local Network. See Install on macOS.
Phone hotspot? Many phone hotspots isolate connected devices from each other, which blocks all discovery. There’s no software fix — use a normal router.

macOS: it stops working after an update

If EasySwitch loses its permissions after every update, you’re likely running an unsigned build, which macOS treats as a new app each time. Install the signed build from the download page or the install script, which keeps its Accessibility and Input Monitoring grants across updates. As a one-off fix, toggle EasySwitch off and on in the Accessibility list.

The remote cursor is laggy over Wi-Fi

This is almost always Wi-Fi power saving on the computer being controlled — most common on Linux laptops. The Setup card offers a NetworkManager fix that turns power-save off for your connection. See Install on Linux.

Windows warns about an “unknown publisher”

That’s SmartScreen flagging a newly published app, and it only appears for the direct download. The download here is the official build — click More info, then Run anyway. Or install from the Microsoft Store, which never shows the notice. Details in Install on Windows.

Linux: I can’t see the tray icon

On GNOME, install a AppIndicator extension to show tray icons — EasySwitch runs fine either way. On Wayland, remember that controlling other machines needs GNOME 45+ or Plasma 6.1+; otherwise use an Xorg session. See Install on Linux.

A file I copied never arrived

That’s by design until you paste. Copying a file only announces its name and size; the bytes move when you paste on the other machine. If a paste does nothing, check you’re within the 10 MB free limit (Pro removes it) and that there’s free disk space on the receiving machine. See Clipboard and file transfer.

A switch chord doesn’t respond

Make sure Switch and lock hotkeys is on in Settings. On a Wayland Linux session, the chords only work while that machine is the one in control; on Xorg they work anytime. See Keyboard shortcuts.

The connection keeps dropping

A trusted machine that sleeps or drops Wi-Fi is detected within about 15 seconds and reconnects within a few seconds of coming back. Turn on Keep awake (on by default) so a machine doesn’t sleep mid-session, and Auto-connect so trusted machines re-link on their own.