Hi! I’m sorry to hear that the Sharpen app keeps logging you out and blocking you on Windows 11 using Microsoft Edge. I’d like to help get this sorted for you. Just so I can understand better, when exactly does it kick you out? Is it happening randomly, when you close the browser, or when you’re inactive for a while? Also, have you noticed if this bothers only Sharpen, or other websites/apps as well?

Meanwhile, here are some common steps we can try that often help with Edge signing users out or blocking certain apps:

1. Check Edge's Cookie and Site Data Settings
Microsoft Edge might be clearing cookies or site data when it closes, causing you to be signed out.
- Open Edge, click the three-dot menu (top-right) → Settings → Privacy, search, and services.
- Scroll down to "Clear browsing data" → Select "Choose what to clear every time you close the browser."
- Make sure “Cookies and other site data” is not toggled on.

2. Disable Conflicting Extensions
Sometimes extensions or security tools on Edge interfere:
- Go to Edge menu → Extensions, and disable all extensions temporarily.
- Check if you still get logged out or blocked by Sharpen.

3. Whitelist Sharpen in Security Software
If you have antivirus/firewall software or network filters, try to whitelist or allow Sharpen. Sometimes security software blocks the app thinking it’s suspicious.

4. Update Edge and Windows
Keeping your browser and OS up to date helps avoid known bugs:
- Edge menu → Help and feedback → About Microsoft Edge to check for updates.
- Windows Start → Settings → Update & Security → Check for updates.

5. Clear Browser Cache and Cookies (Selective)
- Open Edge → Settings → Privacy, search, and services → Clear browsing data → Choose a time range → Clear cached images and files, but try to keep cookies unless you suspect corruption.

If these steps don’t resolve it, I can help you dig deeper into Sharpen-specific settings or network environment checks.

Could you please let me know if you have already tried any of these, or if you see the issue only on Sharpen versus other sites? That’ll help me guide you better!

It happens randomly, even when I'm doing a quiz which makes it extremely annoying, it's like it has a time limit then logs me out

Thanks for those details! Since Sharpen is logging you out randomly during quizzes, it does sound like a session timeout or connectivity issue that might be triggering the app or website to log you out automatically after some period of inactivity or due to other reasons.

Let's try these targeted steps to help:

1. Check Session Timeout Settings
Sometimes educational platforms have built-in session time limits for security, which might be shorter than you expect. While Sharpen’s default timeouts aren't usually changeable by users, you can check with your instructor or institution if they’ve set any limits.

2. Keep the Session Active
If the app thinks you are inactive even during a quiz, try to periodically interact with the page (like clicking or navigating) to keep the session alive.

3. Use a Stable Internet Connection
Intermittent internet drops can cause unexpected logouts. Check your network and, if possible, switch to a wired connection or a more stable Wi-Fi to see if that helps.

4. Try a Different Browser or Incognito Mode
Since you use Microsoft Edge, try opening Sharpen in an Incognito (private) window or a different browser like Chrome or Firefox for testing. Incognito disables most extensions and starts with a clean cache which can avoid conflicts.

5. Disable Edge's Sleeping Tabs Feature
Windows 11 and Edge sometimes reduce resource usage by putting inactive tabs to sleep, which could interrupt Sharpen. You can disable this:
- Edge Settings → System and performance → Turn off "Save resources with sleeping tabs."

6. Contact Sharpen Support or Your Instructor
Since this is disrupting quizzes, your instructor or Sharpen’s official support might have insight on any known session limits or outages causing this.

I also reviewed some guides, and it’s clear that Sharpen automatically logs you in when launching, but there's no mention of random logouts unless you manually sign out or have a session timeout1. So, this points to a connectivity or browser session issue.

Please give these a try, especially testing in a different browser or incognito window, and let me know if this improves your experience. If it persists, we can explore deeper network checks or escalate to Sharpen support.

Are you okay with trying these out?

I have secure school wifi. I haven't had any issues with microsoft edge for other study sites either except for sharpen

Thanks for sharing that you’re on a secure school WiFi and other study sites work fine on Edge. That helps narrow things down.

From what I’ve seen, school networks sometimes block or restrict specific ports or services that an app like Sharpen uses to stay connected. This can cause unexpected logouts or connection interruptions even if general browsing is fine. Since other sites work properly for you, it suggests Sharpen’s connection might be getting interrupted by your school’s network policies or firewall rules.

Here are some steps tailored for your secure school WiFi environment:

1. Confirm Network Restrictions with IT
Often school IT departments block certain ports or types of traffic that apps use. Check with your school’s IT team if they have any firewall rules or restrictions that might affect Sharpen. They might need to whitelist Sharpen’s service endpoints or ports.

2. Try Using a VPN (If Allowed)
VPNs create a secure, encrypted tunnel that can bypass some network restrictions. However, many schools block VPN usage or prohibit it, so check your school’s policy first. If allowed, a VPN connecting over port 443 (standard HTTPS port) can help maintain stable connections.

3. Test on Another Network
Since Sharpen logs out on your school WiFi but other sites work, try logging in on a different network (home WiFi, mobile hotspot) to confirm the issue is related to the school network.

4. Check for Proxy or Security Software on Device
Sometimes your school device might run security or proxy software that interferes. Disable third-party firewall or proxy tools temporarily to test.

Since this is a connectivity and network-level issue unique to your secure school WiFi, Sharpen itself likely isn’t the cause but is reacting to dropped or blocked connections. The best long-term fix is to work with your school IT to ensure Sharpen’s required network traffic isn’t blocked.

Would you like me to assist you with collecting any technical details or logs from Sharpen to provide your IT department? Or shall we explore more troubleshooting from your side first? Let me know how you'd like to proceed!

Sharpen seems to work fine on my phone. I downloaded the app from google playstore. I don't get why it's happening on microsoft edge

Thanks for letting me know that Sharpen works fine on your phone app but logs you out on Microsoft Edge. That’s a really helpful clue. It suggests the issue lies with how Sharpen interacts with Edge on your Windows 11 device rather than a Sharpen server or account problem.

Since the mobile app is working smoothly, the problem could stem from Edge browser settings, cache/cookies, extensions, or even a corrupted Edge installation affecting session persistence.

Here are some specific steps to try to fix Sharpen logout issues on Microsoft Edge:

1. Update Microsoft Edge
- Open Edge → click the three-dot menu → Help and feedback → About Microsoft Edge
- If an update is available, Edge will install it automatically.
- Restart Edge and try Sharpen again.

2. Clear Cache and Cookies for Sharpen Only
- In Edge, go to Settings → Cookies and site permissions → Manage and delete cookies and site data → See all cookies and site data → Search for Sharpen related entries (such as mheducation.com) and delete them.
- Restart Edge and log in again.

3. Disable Extensions
- Go to Extensions via the Edge menu, disable all extensions temporarily especially ad blockers or privacy extensions, and see if that stops the logouts.

4. Repair Microsoft Edge
- On Windows 11, go to Settings → Apps → Installed Apps → find Microsoft Edge → click the three-dot menu → Modify → Repair
- This reinstalls Edge without deleting data but can fix corrupted files causing issues[7][8]9.

5. Try Edge’s InPrivate (Incognito) Mode
- Open a new InPrivate window (Ctrl+Shift+N) and log into Sharpen there.
- This disables extensions and starts fresh browser data to test if normal mode settings are interfering.

If after these steps Sharpen still logs you out randomly on Edge but works on the mobile app, it’s very likely a browser-specific problem with Edge on your PC.

Would you like me to guide you through repairing Microsoft Edge or clearing cookies? Also, do you use any extensions, like ad blockers or security add-ons in Edge, that we should test disabling?

Let me know how you want to proceed!