Troubleshooting

Why:Windows SmartScreen flags software that hasn't yet built a reputation with Microsoft. This is common for new applications and does not mean the file is unsafe or malicious.

Fix:Click More info on the SmartScreen dialog, then click Run anyway. You can verify the file before running. The download page includes a SHA256 checksum and a VirusTotal scan. If you're willing to help, clicking Report this file as safe on the SmartScreen prompt helps build the software's reputation with Microsoft and reduces this warning for everyone.

Why:Yes. GamePinned installs a Windows service and manages file system permissions. Both require administrator access on Windows. There's no way around this.

Fix:Approve the UAC prompt when it appears. This is only needed for the installer. Opening GamePinned itself does not require admin rights. Anyone can open it, but it launches in read-only mode. The separate admin password is what protects the settings from being changed.

Why:The service may not have been installed correctly, or it was stopped by an administrator.

Fix:Click Start Service on the Dashboard. If it fails to start, try reinstalling. Run the installer again and it will repair the installation. Make sure you're running the installer as an administrator.

Why:GamePinned uses a compilation method that's less common than typical Windows software. Some antivirus heuristics flag unfamiliar binary formats as suspicious even when they're clean. It's a false positive.

Fix:Add GamePinned's installation folder to your antivirus exclusion list. The default install path is C:\Program Files\GamePinned. You can also verify the installer's SHA256 hash against the one listed on the download page.

Why:Games are detected in real-time, but two things can prevent them from appearing: the service is stopped (no games will show at all), or the launcher has never been opened. If it hasn't run at least once, there's nothing for the software to read yet.

Fix:Click Restart Service on the Dashboard. This triggers a fresh scan. Also make sure the game's launcher (Steam, Epic Games, or Riot Games) has been opened at least once. The software reads the launcher's own records to find games.

Why:Protection is applied shortly after you click Lock. How quickly it propagates depends on your storage drive. If you test immediately, it may not have finished yet. Alternatively, the account being tested may not be covered by your current Users settings.

Fix:Wait 10–15 seconds after locking before testing. Confirm you're testing with an account that is actually blocked: one that's in your blocked list, or is a standard Windows account under the default setting. An account not covered by either will never be blocked regardless of how long you wait. Check Logs in the sidebar. It will show "BLOCKED" entries whenever a protection event fires correctly.

Why:This should not happen in normal operation. GamePinned only blocks deletion, not writes, so updates should pass through. If you're seeing update failures, it may be a timing issue during a large update.

Fix:Go to the game's platform page, unlock just that game, let the update finish, then lock it again. If multiple games across platforms are failing at the same time, enable Maintenance Mode from the Dashboard instead, let everything update, then disable it. If the issue keeps coming back, contact support.

Why:Riot Games leaves metadata files behind after uninstalling a game. GamePinned reads these files to detect games, so previously uninstalled games can appear briefly.

Fix:Click the refresh button in the GUI or wait for the next automated health check. Phantom games are filtered out automatically. If a game keeps reappearing, make sure it's fully removed through the Riot Games.

Why:This is intentional behavior. When GamePinned detects that Steam is attempting to uninstall a protected game, it closes Steam and restores the game's records so it reappears in the library. Steam then relaunches automatically.

Fix:This is protection working correctly. A user tried to uninstall a game and was blocked. Check Logs in the sidebar to see which game triggered it and when. If this is happening unexpectedly, check whether Maintenance Mode is off and the correct games are in the protected list.

Why:The admin password is stored locally on this PC. It cannot be recovered remotely.

Fix:On the login prompt, click Forgot password?. A reset dialog verifies your identity through Windows (fingerprint, PIN, or account password), then lets you set a new admin password. No contact with support required.

Why:Two common reasons: the license key has already been activated on a different PC (each license is tied to one machine), or all available seats on the license have been used up.

Fix:If you've replaced hardware or are migrating to a new PC, or if you've run out of seats, contact support@gamepinned.com and we'll transfer the license for you.

Why:The activation may not have fully synced yet, or there was a connection issue during activation.

Fix:Open License in the sidebar and try entering the key again. Make sure the PC has an internet connection during activation. If it continues to show Free after a successful activation message, restart the service from Settings.

Why:If auto-renewal was enabled at purchase, Pro renews automatically and nothing changes. This only becomes an issue if it was cancelled or auto-renewal was not set up. In that case, GamePinned reverts to the free tier limit on expiry.

Fix:Games remain protected but only the first game in the list stays fully locked. Renew from the pricing page and re-activate the new key in License to restore full protection immediately.

Why:Automatic updates require a paid license (Pro or Elite). On the free plan, the background check runs but never downloads anything.

Fix:Click Check for Updates in Settings to update manually. This works on any plan. See the Updating guide for a full walkthrough of both flows.

Why:The installer requires admin approval (UAC). If you dismissed the prompt or it didn't appear, the installer may not have run.

Fix:Click Check for Updates again. When the UAC prompt appears, click Yes to let the installer run. If no prompt appears at all, make sure you're logged in as an administrator.