microsoft family safety is barely functional

Hi, minimude201

This looks more like the Family Safety sign-in window getting stuck or closing before Windows finishes confirming the child account, rather than the app limit itself being the only problem.

Besides the solutions provided by the Q&A Assist, here are some suggestions you can try:

First, update Windows fully, then restart the PC. Family Safety is tied into Windows account services, so pending updates can make these pop-ups behave strangely.

Then try resetting the Family Safety app on the child’s PC: go to Settings > Apps > Microsoft Family Safety > Advanced options, then choose Repair first. If that does not help, use Reset.

It is also recommended that the parent manually adds extra time from family.microsoft.com or the Family Safety mobile app instead of waiting for the child’s request screen. That can work around the broken request window.

If the sign-in pop-up keeps looping, try clearing saved Microsoft sign-in data from Credential Manager, then sign out and sign back into the child’s Windows account. If nothing changes, create a fresh Windows profile for the same child Microsoft account, as the current profile may have a broken Family Safety cache.

Thank you for your patience in reading, I hope this information has been helpful to you. 

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The behavior described is not expected, but the available guidance focuses on making sure the underlying Family Safety and account configuration are correct, which can remove several common causes of sign‑in and request issues.

Try these steps on the child’s Windows device:

1. Confirm the child account type
   • Open Settings > Accounts > Other users (or Family & other users).
   • Select the child’s account > Change account type.
   • Ensure it is set to Standard user, not Administrator, then select OK.
   • As an administrator, a child can change or break Family Safety settings, which can cause inconsistent prompts and behavior.
2. Verify the child’s Microsoft account
   • While signed in as the child, go to Start > Settings > Accounts.
   • If Verify appears, select it and complete the prompts to verify the account.
   • If Verify is not shown, open Microsoft Edge on the child’s device and go to https://aka.ms/familyverify and complete verification there.
   • An unverified or expired account can interfere with Family Safety features, including time‑limit prompts and requests.
3. Re‑apply limits if they are unreliable
   • On the organizer’s account, sign in to family.microsoft.com.
   • Remove the existing screen‑time limits for the affected apps/devices.
   • Add the limits back again.
   • Limits can sometimes glitch; removing and re‑adding them is the recommended reset.
4. Check for other common issues
   • Ensure the child is actually signed in with the same Microsoft account that is in the Family Safety group.
   • Change organizer and child passwords if there is any chance the child has access to an organizer account, as this can allow bypassing or altering limits.

If the sign‑in windows still close unexpectedly or do not allow sending requests after these checks, collect logs from the Family Safety mobile app (if used) and contact Microsoft Support so the behavior can be investigated:

• In the Family Safety mobile app: tap the Home icon > Help & Feedback > Send logs.
• Or go to the general Contact support page and open a support request.

References:

• Troubleshooting Microsoft Family Safety