Upwork Time Tracker Not Working? Here’s The Fix!

Cannot work on your hourly projects since the Upwork time tracker is not working? 

Aside from their websites and dedicated mobile app, Upwork also has a desktop app available for Mac, Windows, and Linux operating systems. With the Upwork desktop app, you can message your clients without the need to access the website. 

You can also use it to log your time for hourly projects and even fixed-priced projects to know how much time you consume with every project. For hourly projects, the desktop app is needed to record the hours you’ve rendered and the proof that you are working on the project. 

However, these features don’t mean anything if it is not working, right? 

In most cases, server-related issues or corrupted files are the reason why the Upwork time tracker is not working.

However, there are a lot of factors that should also be considered when dealing with this issue. Since the problem doesn’t give out a specific error message or code, troubleshooting can be confusing. 

Thankfully, you’ve come to the right place!

Today, we’ll show you a few steps to do if the Upwork time tracker is not working. 

Let’s get started!

1. Check Upwork’s Servers. 

Before making any changes to your system, you should first check Upwork’s servers if there are any problems. If Upwork’s servers are not available, you can expect that some of their services would not be available for some time. 

You can use third-party sites like Downdetector that display the current status of Upwork’s servers and the issues it encountered for the last 24 hours.

Check Upwork Servers

On the other hand, you can also visit Upwork’s dedicated page to view their services’ availability.

2. Turn Off VPN. 

If you are using virtual private network services on your system, consider turning them off if you encounter problems on Upwork. Their desktop app communicates directly with Upwork’s servers, and a stable internet connection is needed. 

However, this can be difficult to achieve with VPNs running on your computer. Since VPNs occasionally change your IP address, your computer may have difficulty maintaining a stable connection with Upwork. 

Turn Off VPN

Disable your VPN or try using alternatives like PureVPN to address the problem. Unlike other VPNs, PureVPN keeps your connection reliable while protecting your network from hackers and other entities. 

3. Reinstall Upwork Desktop App. 

Errors and other problems can occur on Upwork’s installation files while in use and cause its services not to work. If the Upwork time tracker is not working, it could be related to corrupted installation files. 

Instead of finding the corrupted file on your system, we suggest that you just delete the desktop app from your computer and reinstall a fresh copy. 

On Windows, follow the steps below to uninstall the Upwork desktop app: 

  1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard to access the Start Menu and search for the Control Panel
  2. After that, launch the Control Panel and click on Uninstall a Program under the Programs tab. 
  3. Now, find Upwork from the list of programs installed on your computer. 
  4. Lastly, click Upwork and hit the Uninstall button. Follow the on-screen prompts to remove the app from your computer. 
Delete Upwork on Windows

For macOS users, check out the steps below to uninstall Upwork: 

  1. First, open the Finder on your Mac computer. 
  2. Now, find Upwork from the Applications tab. 
  3. Finally, drag Upwork’s app icon to the Trash to delete it. 

If you are using a Linux device, see the steps below to remove Upwork from your system: 

  1. First, open Ubuntu Software Center on your computer. 
  2. After that, click on the Installed tab. 
  3. Lastly, find Upwork and hit the Remove button. Follow the on-screen prompts to delete Upwork on your Linux device. 
Remove Upwork on Linux

Once done, go to Upwork’s download page and get the latest installer of the Upwork app for your device. 

4. Clear Cache on Upwork Desktop App. 

App caches are temporary data stored on your device locally used to improve the performance of applications. However, caches can accumulate over time and get corrupted without any warnings. 

If the Upwork time tracker is not working, try clearing its app cache and see if the problem goes away: 

  1. First, open the Upwork desktop app on your computer. 
  2. Now, click on the Gear icon to open Settings
  3. Inside Upwork’s settings, click on Advanced and scroll down to the bottom. 
  4. Finally, click on Clear Cache and Restart
Clear Upwork Cache


5. Disable Firewall or Turn Off Antivirus. 

If you are using antivirus programs or have your firewall activated, try to turn them off while using the Upwork app. Some antivirus programs can get overprotective and wrongly flag the Upwork desktop app as harmful software.

If this happens, the antivirus blocks the access of Upwork to the internet and your computer’s resources. To fix this, turn off your firewall or antivirus and use the Upwork desktop app again. 

You can also try other antivirus software that is compatible with most programs and systems. Head to the following method below to learn more. 

6. Run Malwarebytes. 

If you’re not comfortable using your computer without protection, you can try using Malwarebytes. Unlike other antivirus programs, it is compatible with most applications and systems. 

It is not as aggressive to third-party applications and less likely to flag applications wrongfully as harmful or suspicious. After downloading the software, run a full system scan to check your computer for any virus or malware attacks. 

7. Close Unwanted Applications. 

If you have many applications running on your system, try to close down the ones you are not using. Applications running in the background can consume your system resources and affect other programs that you are using. 

On Windows, follow the steps below to close down unwanted applications: 

  1. First, press the Windows + X keys on your keyboard and click on the Task Manager to open it. 
  2. Inside the Task Manager, identify the applications that you are not using. 
  3. Finally, click the End Task button. 
Windows Task Manager

For macOS, check out the steps below to close unused applications on your computer: 

  1. On your Mac, open the Finder and go to the Applications tab. 
  2. Now, click on Utilities and open the Activity Monitor
  3. Finally, identify the applications running on your computer that you are not using and close them down. 
macOS Activity Monitor

Once done, go back to the Upwork app and try using the time tracker again. 


8. Check and Reset Your Internet. 

Since Upwork is an online platform, a stable internet connection is required for its services to function. However, if the Upwork time tracker is not working, try to run a speed test using Fast.com to check your network’s current status. 

Upwork time tracker not working

If the result shows that your connection is running slow, try to restart your router to refresh the link with your internet service provider’s servers. Find the power chord of your router and unplug it for about 10 seconds before plugging it back in to restart your router. 

Upwork time tracker not working

Re-run the test afterward to see if restarting your router solved the issue. If your network continues to run slow, contact your ISP immediately and address the service’s problem. 

9. Try Using Fiverr. 

Can’t track your time for hourly contracts? Try using Fiverr to get fixed-price projects. 

Upwork time tracker not working

Fiverr is the leading freelancing platform online, with thousands of jobs listed every hour. On Fiverr, you can meet clients looking for digital services like web design, logo design, voiceovers, virtual assistance, and more! 

They have 24/7 customer support and a secured payment channel that takes hold of your client’s budget at the start of the project. Once the services are rendered, Fiverr automatically releases the funds to your account. 

On the other hand, you can also use Fiverr to hire fellow freelancers if you need assistance with your current projects. 


Try Fiverr Now!



10. Report the Problem to Upwork. 

If the Upwork time tracker is still not working on the desktop app, we suggest that you visit Upwork’s support page

From there, you can ask the community about the issue where other freelancers might shed some light on the subject. You can also contact their customer service if you need an immediate solution to the problem. 

Upwork time tracker not working

When reporting an issue, make sure that you add helpful information like a screenshot of the problem, your account details, and the operating system you use. 

This ends our guide on what to do if the Upwork time tracker is not working on your computer. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below, and we’ll do our best to accommodate them. 

If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂

Author

  • John Sixto

    John is a staff writer at Saint and comes from a SAP ABAP development background. He has a Bachelors in IT and has been writing since 2018, with over 500 posts published. He loves to build PCs and has a deep curiosity in understanding how different components and configurations work. John spends hundreds of hours at a time, researching and testing the software and apps, before he proceeds to write about it. LinkedIn X (Twitter)

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