Help center
How can we help?
Short answers to the questions parents and focused workers ask most. Can't find yours? Write to us at the end of the page.
Getting started
How do I install WebSilence?
Open WebSilence in the Chrome Web Store and choose Add to Chrome. A short setup guide opens: choose whether WebSilence is for your child or for you, and it walks you through the rest.
Do I need an account?
For the first three days, no. After that, the popup and settings ask you to sign in or create an account with an email address and a password. There is no payment. Blocking keeps working either way. An account keeps your lists in sync between computers and is the only way to reset a forgotten parental PIN.
Which browsers does it work in?
Google Chrome on Windows, Mac, Linux and ChromeOS. Other Chromium-based browsers that install extensions from the Chrome Web Store usually work too. Windows removal protection covers Google Chrome only.
Blocking
How do I block the site I'm on?
Click the WebSilence button in the toolbar and choose Block. The tab switches to the block page right away.
Can I block only part of a site?
Yes. In Settings › Custom Domains, add the part you want, for example youtube.com/@channel or reddit.com/r/popular. The rest of the site stays open.
How do keywords work?
In Settings › Custom Keywords, add a word. Any page whose address or text contains it is replaced with the block page. Words match inside longer words too, so choose specific ones.
How do I block a site only during certain hours?
In Settings › Scheduling, enter the sites, pick the days and the start and end time, and choose Block during these hours. Choose Allow during these hours instead to open a site only for a break.
The age level blocks a site we need. What can I do?
In Settings › Overview, remove the site from the blocked list. It moves to your allow list and stays open, whatever the level.
Why can't I add a very long address?
Entries are limited to 300 characters, and each list to what Chrome can sync (about 8 KB). Add the site name instead of a long address with tracking codes.
Parental controls and the PIN
How do I set a parental PIN?
During setup, or later in Settings › Parental PIN. Choose at least four digits that your child doesn't know. With a PIN, the settings ask for it before they open.
I forgot my PIN. What now?
On the lock screen, choose Forgot PIN? and sign in with the account that set the PIN. The PIN is removed and you can set a new one. A PIN that was set without an account can't be reset this way: remove WebSilence from Chrome and add it again (lists that were stored only on that computer are removed too).
Can my child switch WebSilence off?
With the PIN and Lock extension pages turned on, chrome://extensions and WebSilence's store page are locked, so it can't be switched off there. Chrome still lets anyone remove an extension from the toolbar menu; on Windows, removal protection closes that door.
Does it work in Incognito windows?
Chrome runs extensions in Incognito only if you allow it. Windows removal protection can turn Incognito windows off completely.
Account and sync
What does my account sync?
Your blocked sites, allowed sites, keywords, schedules, age level and categories. They follow you to every computer where you sign in, and come back after a reinstall.
I forgot my password.
In the sign-in form, choose Forgot password? and we email you a link to set a new one.
How do I delete my account?
Write to privacy@howfixes.com from the email address of the account. We delete the account and the lists stored with it.
Removing WebSilence
How do I remove WebSilence?
Right-click the WebSilence button in the toolbar and choose Remove from Chrome. If Windows removal protection is on, uninstall WebSilence Protection in Windows Settings › Apps first.
How do I turn off Windows removal protection?
Uninstall WebSilence Protection in Windows Settings › Apps (administrator rights are needed). Chrome then removes WebSilence by itself; add it again from the Chrome Web Store and sign in to get your lists back.