Windows 10: "We couldn't connect to Microsoft Family Safety right now" error and poor support

My older PC and my wife's laptop decided to die in the same month. So we bought a brand new laptop with Win11. Thanks to Family Safety being generally terrible, we had two different setups for those computers. Now we just have the one laptop.After getting it set up, under settings>accounts>Family I have the "We couldn't connect to Microsoft Family Safety right now, so changes you make to family settings might not save" issue. According to posts, this goes back years, so no idea why it's still a thing. When I click "Add someone" is actually does on the family safety website app, but does

:)

 

Microsoft family safety not working--at all.

Hi,



Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community. I regret the inconveniece caused to you. Let me help you.



Before we proceed, we require more information to assist you better.

• Which web browser are you using?
• Are the settings on the Family Safety options on your computer are the same with the one on
  http://familysafety.live.com?

I suggest you to login with your parental account and check if you are able to manage the family settings.



If the issue still persist, it might appears that the Child account is not configure correctly. I suggest you to remove the Family Safety and configure it again.

How do I remove Family Safety?

Account help



Now, setup Family Safety.

Windows help and learning



After creating the child account, you can then go to the Family Safety website, login using the parent account and then manage your child's restrictions and monitoring options.



Refer the following Microsoft help article.

Filter apps and games with Microsoft Edge - Microsoft Support

Note: The steps for Windows 8/8.1 applies to Windows 10



I hope the information helps. Please keep us posted on the issue. We will be happy to assist you accordingly.



Thank you.

 

New Microsoft Family Safety Preview app for Android and iOS

Source: Microsoft Family Safety: Protect Your Family - Office Insider Blog

 

Family Safety Not Changing

Hello,

We regret for the inconvenience. Let me assist you.

From the description provided, I understand that the screen time usage is inaccurate for the child account/s you are referring to.

Please follow the below suggested methods and check if it helps to resolve the issue.

Method 1

Now, as an initial recommendation, I suggest you to view and check the family settings for the child by signing in to the Microsoft account using a web browser.

Account security and Online safety.

https://account.microsoft.com/privacy

You may change the More security settings under account security and
family safety settings/Manage permissions for children under Online safety in the above link.

Method 2

If it still does not help, I suggest you to remove the child account from your Microsoft Family Safety settings and check if it is the Family Safety feature which is preventing the child account to access Office products.

Follow the below steps.

• 
  From a web browser, go to
  http://account.microsoft.com/family and sign in with the Microsoft account of an adult in the family.
  
• 
  To remove a child, choose Remove at the top of the section labeled
  Select a child to view or edit their settings.
  
• Select the person you want to remove from the family
• Select the Remove button that appears when you've chosen the person to remove.
  

Ref: How do I turn off family features?

Method 3

• Open the File Explorer, navigate to the location:
  
  C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Parental Controls
  
• Inside the Parental Controls folder, delete all contents including any files and folders.
• Sign out and then sign in again to re-build the setting data.

Additionally, I also suggest you to visit to the below link on Family Safety

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/family

Refer to the section Set limits for your child.

Also refer to the section 'How can I tell if the Family Safety service is connected to my PC and set up correctly?' in the article provided.

Family Safety: Frequently Asked Questions

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...uestions/5672f7b2-e3c0-498a-9a6c-c9cab39f68e5

Please write to us with the updated status related to Family Safety feature, for us to be able to assist you further.

Thank you.