Troubleshooting

Most TextDrop problems are network problems, not app problems. The fixes below are ordered by what you see on screen. If nothing here helps, write to support@textdrop.chat with your Windows version, what you were doing, and any error message.

The phone page won’t open at all

The browser on your phone spins or reports an address error, like ERR_ADDRESS_UNREACHABLE.

• Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and TextDrop is running on the PC, showing its address.
• Check that your phone is actually using the Wi-Fi. Phones sometimes keep the Wi-Fi icon lit while sending traffic over cellular, and a cellular connection can’t reach your PC’s local address. Toggle Wi-Fi off and back on, or turn cellular data off for a moment, then reload the page.
• Test whether your router isolates devices. Many guest networks and some home or office networks block devices from talking to each other directly. The quickest test: connect your PC to your phone’s hotspot and scan again. If the hotspot works, your main network is isolating devices; use TextDrop on a network that allows device-to-device traffic.
• If the PC runs a VPN or virtual network adapters, your PC may have several addresses and the QR code may carry one your phone can’t reach. Pick the address that matches your Wi-Fi in the dropdown of the TextDrop window, then scan again.

The QR code or address keeps changing

TextDrop re-checks the PC’s address every few seconds and refreshes the QR code when it changes, so an old code can’t reach the wrong place. Scan the current one; if the address keeps flipping, see the VPN point above.

Windows asked about the firewall

The first time TextDrop runs, Windows asks whether to allow it on private networks. TextDrop needs that permission; say yes. If the prompt was dismissed, open Windows Security, go to Firewall and network protection, then Allow an app through firewall, and enable TextDrop for private networks.

The phone shows “not connected”

The dot at the top of the phone page shows whether the connection is live. If it stays grey, reload the page; if it was working and stopped, the token may have been refreshed from the PC window, which intentionally invalidates old phone tabs. Scan the current QR code and the page reconnects.

The browser warns about the certificate

If you turned on HTTPS in TextDrop’s settings, the first connection shows a warning like “Your connection is not private”. This is expected: TextDrop uses a self-signed certificate created by your own PC. Check that the address in the browser’s address bar is your PC’s address, then use the browser’s advanced option to continue.

Text landed in the wrong window

TextDrop sends to whatever input box has your cursor, so click the target field first, then send. If you already sent and it landed somewhere else, the text is still on your PC clipboard: click the right field and press Ctrl+V.

Still stuck

Write to support@textdrop.chat. English only, and we usually reply within two working days. Include your Windows version, what you were doing when it failed, and any error message you saw.