4 Fixes to Try If Family Safety Won’t Work on Windows

Using the Family Safety feature on Windows, parents can limit their children’s computer usage by setting time limits, blocking certain websites, and monitoring activity. However, this feature can sometimes fail to work, resulting in issues such as the screen limit not working, the account not syncing, and the history not showing up.

The problem can be caused by a number of reasons, such as an issue with the Microsoft account, or outdated operating system. Below, we have discussed different troubleshooting methods you can try to resolve the problem in no time.

1. Start With Basic Troubleshooting

Before you head over to the troubleshooting methods below, we recommend starting with two basic steps; restarting the computer and updating the system to the latest build.

A restart can fix certain problems, like software crashes or temporary glitches. Additionally, it can be used to update system components and clear the computer’s memory which can also resolve problems.

If restarting does not do the trick, then the next thing that we recommend is updating the system. It’s common for Windows updates to include security patches that fix vulnerabilities in the operating system, thereby protecting you from malware and issues like the one you’re experiencing right now.

Here is how you can do that:

1. Press the Win + I keys together to open the Settings app.
2. Choose Windows Updates from the left pane.
3. Click on the Check for updates button in the left pane. The system will then check for available updates.

   

4. The Windows Update section will display any available updates. Start the update process by clicking Download and install now.

   

5. After downloading the update, you will be prompted to restart your computer. Once the computer is restarted, check if the issue is resolved.

In case none of these do the trick for you, move to the next method below.

2. Delete Parental Control Settings

The problem can also be caused by a corrupted or conflicting setting.

By deleting the parental control settings, you will reset the family security app to its default settings and remove any corrupted or conflicting settings, thus resolving the error in the process.

However, deleting parental control settings will also remove all the rules and restrictions you’ve previously set up, so once you reset your device, you’ll have to set them up again.

Here is how you can delete these settings:

1. Click on the File Explorer icon in the taskbar.
2. In the following window, navigate to the location mentioned below:

   C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Parental Controls

   

3. Remove all folders and files from this location. The online settings will be reviewed by Microsoft Family when your kid logs in again. It will redownload the correct settings if they do not match the ones on your child’s device.

3. Add the Microsoft Account Again

There is a possibility that your child’s Microsoft account on their device has expired or is simply not working properly. This results in the device not sending activity, causing errors and issues like the one you are experiencing.

If this scenario is applicable, then signing in with the Microsoft account again can fix the issue for good.

Here is how you can proceed:

1. On your child’s device, head over to the Microsoft Family webpage and sign in using the Microsoft account.
2. Click on the Remove button.

   

3. Now, head over to the Microsoft Family webpage using your browser in your own device.
4. Log in using the Microsoft account.
5. Navigate to the member’s name and choose More options.
6. Click on the Remove from family group option and confirm the action.

   

7. Once done, press the Win + I keys together to open the Settings app.
8. Choose Accounts > Family & other users.

   

9. Expand the child’s account and choose Remove.

   

Once this is done, we will add the child’s account back again in the Family Security website.

Here is how you can do that:

1. In the Microsoft Family webpage, click on the Add member button.

   

2. Enter the email address and follow the on-screen instructions to proceed.
3. Now, head over to the Family & other users section of Windows Settings again and click on the Add account button.

   

4. Enter the email address of the child and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Hopefully, once the accounts have been re-added, the issue will no longer appear again.

4. Revert to Windows 10

If the issue started appearing after upgrading to Windows 11 and the troubleshooting methods are not working for you, you have the option to revert to Windows 10 till Microsoft releases an official fix for the problem.
Follow these steps to proceed:

1. Press the Win + I keys together to open Windows Settings.
2. Choose System > Recovery from the left pane.
3. In the Recovery options section, click on the Go back button and choose the appropriate reason for reverting.

   

4. Follow the instruction prompts to complete the process.

In case your device came with Windows 11 pre-installed, you will see two options in the Recovery window; Reset PC and Restart now. In this case, we recommend that you proceed with a clean installation of Windows.

Performing a clean installation means formatting or installing the operating system on a new hard drive. As part of this process, all files, programs, and settings on the hard drive will be deleted, and then Windows will be reinstalled.