Troubleshooting
Common issues and how to fix them
If someone texted you and you didn't get a reply from your Plow agent, here are the most common causes and fixes.
1. Is the Plow app running?
Your Plow agent runs on your Mac. If the app is closed, your agent can't respond to messages.
- Look for the Plow icon in your menu bar.
- If it's not there, open Plow from your Applications folder.
- Wait a moment for the agent to connect, then ask the sender to try again.
2. Is your Mac turned on and awake?
Plow needs your Mac to be powered on and not asleep. If your laptop lid is closed or your Mac has gone to sleep, your agent goes offline.
Tip: In System Settings → Energy, you can prevent your Mac from sleeping automatically to keep your agent available.
3. Is your Mac connected to the internet?
Your agent needs an internet connection to receive messages and respond. Check that your Wi-Fi or Ethernet is connected and working.
- Try opening a website in your browser to confirm connectivity.
- If your network is down, reconnect and give Plow a few seconds to re-establish the connection.
4. Is Plow showing any errors?
Open the Plow app and check for any error banners or status indicators. Common issues include:
- Activation required — follow the setup steps in the app to activate your agent.
- Connection lost — Plow will automatically reconnect. Wait a few seconds and check again.
5. Try restarting the app
If everything looks correct but your agent still isn't responding:
- Quit Plow from the menu bar (Plow → Quit).
- Reopen it from your Applications folder.
- Wait for the status to show connected, then try again.
Still stuck?
If none of the above helps, reach out to us at support@plow.co and we'll help you get things working.