ClipPair troubleshooting

Find your problem and follow the steps in order. The ClipPair menu is the icon in the tray near the clock on Windows (right-click it; it may be under the ^ arrow), or in the menu bar on a Mac. Mac labels are in brackets where they differ.

My computers can't find each other

Make sure ClipPair is open on both computers.
Put both on the same network: the same Wi-Fi, or wired into the same router. Guest Wi-Fi, hotel Wi-Fi and some office networks hide computers from each other.
Turn off any VPN on both computers.
Windows: see Windows firewall prompt. Mac: see Mac asks about local network.

The status line at the top of the menu says Looking for your other computer… while it searches, and Connected to 1 computer: with a name once it finds one.

If your network blocks automatic discovery, ClipPair also tries the addresses it remembers for your computers. Only computers that have your pairing words can connect.

Pairing doesn't connect

On your licensed computer, choose Pair another device… (Pair a New Device…). It shows Type these words on your other computer and Waiting for your other computer….
On the other computer, choose the same item. If it shows its own words, choose Or type words from your other computer. Type the six words, then choose Connect.
When they connect, both windows close with Paired! Enjoy ClipPair :).

On a new install, use I have words from another computer (I Have Words from Another Computer) in the setup window for step 2.

If it says "Couldn't find your other computer yet…", leave the window open (it keeps looking) and go through My computers can't find each other.

Only a computer with its own license can show pairing words. Adding a computer doesn't disconnect the others, and the same words are shown every time.

Copies don't arrive

Check the status line:
Looking for your other computer…: see My computers can't find each other.
Paused: uncheck Pause sync (Pause Sync).
Sync is off: …: see Sync is off or a license message.
Open Devices… and check Share my clipboard with (Share My Clipboard With:) on both computers. Everyone is the simplest choice.
Test by pasting into a plain text editor. Remote-desktop windows and clipboard managers can take over the clipboard.

Files, folders, very large copies and passwords your password manager marks as private never sync. After sleep or a network change, ClipPair reconnects by itself within about 30 seconds.

Images don't come across

Copy the picture, not the file. Copying an image file in File Explorer or Finder copies a file, and files don't sync. Open the image and copy it, or take a screenshot.
If the copy holds both text and a picture (common on web pages), ClipPair sends the text. Use the app's copy-image option instead.
Paste into an app that accepts pictures. Very large images are not sent.

Sync is off or a license message

The status line says Sync is off: activate, or connect to your licensed computer.

On a computer you bought a license for: choose Settings → License…, paste the key from your receipt and choose Activate. This needs the internet once.
On any other computer: it joins your licensed computer for free. Pair it, then keep the licensed computer on and on the same network.

A licensed computer renews about once a week and keeps working up to 3 weeks without internet. Joined computers follow their licensed computer. Nothing is deleted while sync is off. More in the User guide.

Windows firewall prompt

When Windows asks about ClipPair, allow it on private networks.
Missed the prompt? Choose Settings → Allow on this network… and say yes to the Windows permission prompt. This lets in computers on your local network only.

If ClipPair says it could not, allow it yourself in Windows Security > Firewall > Allow an app.

Mac asks about local network

When macOS asks whether ClipPair may find devices on your local network, choose Allow.
If you didn't, or no other computer appears, open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Local Network, turn ClipPair on, then quit and reopen ClipPair.

Windows: look under the ^ arrow next to the clock. "ClipPair is already running." means it is open and its icon is there.
Mac: open ClipPair from your Applications folder, not from the disk image. "ClipPair is already running." means its icon is in the menu bar.
Setup not finished: choose Finish setup… (Finish Setup…) to continue.
Right after you log in: if it doesn't open, wait a minute and open it again.
To start with your computer: check Settings → Start at login (Open at Login). It is on for new installs.

After an update

ClipPair restarts by itself after an update. Give it a few seconds to reconnect.
Keep all your computers on the latest ClipPair.
To update now: Check for updates… (Check for Updates…), then Install update… (Install Update…). Updates install only when you choose, unless you turn on Install updates automatically (Install Updates Automatically) in Settings.
If an update fails, your installed version is unchanged; try again later. A Mac that can't update in place offers Download Update… instead.

Still stuck?

Email support@clippair.app; we reply within 24 hours. Send feedback… (Send Feedback…) in the menu opens a prefilled email.

Tell us what you see and what you expected. If it helps, attach your log: Settings → Show log (Show Log) opens it. The log never contains your clipboard content, keys or pairing words.

See also: User guide · Security · Support