Troubleshooting Guide

Quick fixes for common Comet Browser issues.

Installation Problems

Mac: “Comet is damaged and can’t be opened”

Solution:

1. Open Terminal (Cmd+Space → type “Terminal”)
2. Run: xattr -cr /Applications/Comet.app
3. Press Enter
4. Try opening Comet again

Alternative:

1. System Settings → Privacy & Security
2. Scroll down to Security section
3. Click “Open Anyway” next to Comet warning
4. Confirm in popup

Windows: “Windows protected your PC”

Solution:

1. Click “More info” in warning
2. Click “Run anyway”
3. If still blocked: Right-click installer → Properties
4. Check “Unblock” → Apply → OK
5. Run installer again

Download Speed Slow

Fixes:

• Try different mirror: Use direct download link
• Pause other downloads
• Disable VPN temporarily
• Use wired internet (not WiFi)
• Try different browser for download

AI Assistant Issues

AI Not Responding

Quick Fixes:

1. Check internet connection
2. Refresh page (Cmd/Ctrl + R)
3. Close and reopen AI sidebar
4. Try different AI model (Settings → AI → Model)

Advanced Fixes:

1. Clear cache: Settings → Privacy → Clear Browsing Data
2. Check AI status: Help → AI Status
3. Restart Comet Browser
4. Update to latest version

”Rate Limit Exceeded” Error

Cause: Too many requests in short time

Solutions:

• Free users: Wait 5 minutes, limit resets
• Pro users: Shouldn’t see this, contact support
• Temporary: Switch to different model
• Long-term: Upgrade to Pro for unlimited

AI Gives Wrong/Outdated Information

Fixes:

1. Enable web search: Settings → AI → “Enable real-time search”
2. Ask AI to search: “Search the web for X”
3. Try Research Mode (Pro): More thorough, cited answers
4. Verify facts: Ask “When was this information last updated?”

Voice Mode Not Working

Mac Permission Fix:

1. System Settings → Privacy & Security
2. Click “Microphone”
3. Toggle ON for Comet Browser
4. Restart Comet

Windows Permission Fix:

1. Settings → Privacy → Microphone
2. Allow desktop apps to access microphone: ON
3. Find Comet in list, toggle ON
4. Restart Comet

Hardware Issues:

• Check microphone is plugged in/connected
• Test mic in other apps (Zoom, Discord)
• Settings → AI → Voice → Select correct microphone
• Adjust input volume (should be 70-100%)

Still Not Working:

• Update audio drivers (Windows)
• Check for macOS updates
• Try different browser (test if hardware issue)
• Contact support with error logs

Performance Issues

Browser Running Slow

Immediate Fixes:

1. Close unused tabs (or suspend them)
2. Disable unused extensions
3. Clear cache: Settings → Privacy
4. Restart Comet

Check Resource Usage: Type in address bar: chrome://comet/memory

Shows memory per tab—close heavy tabs.

Long-Term Solutions:

1. Update Comet to latest version
2. Update OS (Mac/Windows)
3. Disable hardware acceleration (if graphics issues):
   • Settings → Advanced → System
   • Uncheck “Use hardware acceleration”
4. Add more RAM (if computer has <8GB)

High CPU Usage

Find Culprit:

1. Open Task Manager (Shift + Esc in Comet)
2. Sort by CPU column
3. Identify problematic tab/extension

Common Causes:

• Video streaming (YouTube, Netflix)
• Heavy JavaScript sites
• Buggy extensions
• Crypto miners (malware)

Fixes:

• Close/suspend heavy tabs
• Disable suspect extensions
• Run malware scan
• Enable Battery Saver mode

High Memory Usage

Normal: Comet uses 300-500MB base + ~50-100MB per tab

Too High: >2GB for a few tabs

Fixes:

1. Enable automatic tab suspension:
   • Settings → Performance → Tab Management
   • “Suspend unused tabs after 10 minutes”
2. Use Tab Groups instead of many windows
3. Use Sessions (save/restore tabs as needed)
4. Close unused extensions

Sync & Account Issues

Can’t Sign In

Check:

• Internet connection working?
• Correct email/password?
• Account exists? (Try “Forgot Password”)

Fixes:

1. Clear cookies: Settings → Privacy → Cookies
2. Try incognito mode sign-in (Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+N)
3. Disable VPN/proxy temporarily
4. Try different network (mobile hotspot)

Bookmarks Not Syncing

Requirements:

• Signed in to same account on all devices
• Sync enabled: Settings → Sync → “Bookmarks” checkbox
• Internet connection active

Force Sync:

1. Settings → Sync
2. Click “Sync Now”
3. Wait 30 seconds
4. Check other device

Reset Sync (last resort):

1. Settings → Sync → Advanced
2. “Reset Sync”
3. Sign out and sign in again
4. Re-enable sync

Pro Subscription Not Activating

For New Users (Free 1-month Pro):

1. Must be NEW Comet account
2. Download via special link
3. Sign in to Comet
4. Open AI Assistant (lightning bolt icon)
5. Send your FIRST question
6. Pro activates automatically

If Not Working:

• Check if account already used trial
• Verify you used correct download link
• Contact support with account email

For Paid Subscribers:

• Check payment method valid
• Verify subscription active: Settings → Account
• Try signing out/in
• Contact support if charged but not active

Extension Issues

Extension Not Working

Fixes:

1. Disable and re-enable extension
2. Remove and reinstall from Chrome Web Store
3. Check if extension compatible with Comet
4. Update extension to latest version

Check Compatibility:

• Most Chrome extensions work
• Some require specific permissions
• Firefox/Safari extensions don’t work (only Chrome Web Store)

Grant Permissions:

1. Click extension icon
2. If prompted, click “Allow”
3. Or: Right-click extension → Manage → Permissions

Extension Slowing Browser

Find Heavy Extensions:

1. Task Manager (Shift+Esc)
2. Sort by CPU or Memory
3. Disable suspect extensions one by one
4. Check if performance improves

Common Culprits:

• Ad blockers (uBlock Origin usually lightest)
• Password managers
• VPN extensions
• Social media tools

Import/Export Issues

Import from Chrome Failed

Fixes:

1. Close Chrome completely
2. Try import again in Comet
3. If fails, export from Chrome first:
   • Chrome → Bookmarks → Bookmark Manager
   • Three dots → Export bookmarks (HTML file)
4. Import HTML in Comet:
   • Comet → Bookmarks → Import bookmarks

Password Import Issues:

• Chrome must be closed during import
• May need to export Chrome passwords as CSV
• Enable password import: Settings → Privacy → Allow password import

Can’t Export Bookmarks

Try:

1. Bookmarks → Bookmark Manager
2. Three dots (top right)
3. “Export bookmarks”
4. Save HTML file

If Button Disabled:

• Sign in to account
• Sync bookmarks first
• Try from different profile

Update Issues

Update Fails to Install

Mac:

1. Quit Comet completely (Cmd+Q)
2. Download fresh installer from official site
3. Drag to Applications (replace existing)
4. Launch

Windows:

1. Uninstall current version (keeps data)
2. Download latest installer
3. Run as Administrator
4. Install

Check Current Version: Settings → About Comet → Version number

Latest Version: Check official site

”Update Available” Won’t Go Away

Fix:

1. Settings → About Comet
2. Click “Relaunch” button
3. If no button, manually quit and reopen
4. Should update on launch

Page Display Issues

Pages Not Loading

Quick Fixes:

1. Hard refresh: Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + R
2. Clear cache: Settings → Privacy → Clear Data
3. Check internet connection
4. Try incognito mode: Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + N

Advanced Fixes:

1. Disable extensions temporarily
2. Check DNS settings (try Google DNS: 8.8.8.8)
3. Disable VPN/proxy
4. Try different network

Pages Loading Slowly

Causes & Fixes:

• Heavy sites: Suspend other tabs
• Slow internet: Enable data saver mode
• Extensions: Disable heavy extensions
• Cache full: Clear browsing data
• Hardware: Enable hardware acceleration

Videos Not Playing

Fixes:

1. Update Comet to latest version
2. Enable hardware acceleration: Settings → Advanced → System
3. Clear cache and cookies
4. Check if site works in incognito mode
5. Disable ad blockers temporarily

Text Too Small/Large

Fix:

1. Zoom: Cmd/Ctrl + + (larger) or - (smaller)
2. Reset: Cmd/Ctrl + 0
3. Settings → Appearance → Font Size
4. Custom CSS: Settings → Appearance → Custom CSS

Network Issues

Can’t Connect to Internet

Check:

• Other apps working? (test Chrome/Safari)
• WiFi connected?
• VPN/proxy enabled?

Fixes:

1. Restart Comet
2. Restart router/modem
3. Disable VPN temporarily
4. Try different network
5. Check firewall settings

Sites Blocked by Firewall

Windows:

1. Windows Security → Firewall & network protection
2. Allow app through firewall
3. Add Comet Browser
4. Check both Private and Public networks

Mac:

1. System Settings → Network → Firewall
2. Click “Options”
3. Add Comet to allowed apps

Proxy Issues

If using proxy:

1. Settings → Advanced → System
2. Configure proxy settings
3. Test connection
4. Contact IT admin if corporate network

Data Recovery

Lost Bookmarks

Recovery Options:

1. Check if synced: Settings → Sync → Bookmarks
2. Import from backup: Bookmarks → Import
3. Restore from session: Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + T
4. Check other devices if synced

Lost Passwords

Recovery:

1. Check if synced: Settings → Sync → Passwords
2. Import from Chrome: Settings → Import
3. Check password manager integration
4. Use browser’s saved passwords

Lost AI Conversations

Recovery:

1. Check if synced: Settings → Sync → AI History
2. Check other devices
3. Conversations auto-save locally
4. Export conversations: Settings → AI → Export

Advanced Troubleshooting

Reset Comet to Default

Nuclear option (keeps bookmarks):

1. Settings → Advanced → Reset Settings
2. Confirm reset
3. Restart Comet
4. Reconfigure settings

Safe Mode

Launch Safe Mode:

• Mac: Hold Shift while launching Comet
• Windows: Add --safe-mode flag to shortcut

Safe Mode disables:

• All extensions
• Custom themes
• Experimental features
• Sync

Developer Tools

Enable Developer Mode:

1. Settings → Advanced → Developer Mode
2. Unlocks Chrome DevTools
3. Advanced debugging options
4. Performance profiling

Access DevTools:

• F12 or Cmd/Ctrl + Shift + I
• Right-click → Inspect Element
• View → Developer → Developer Tools

Error Logs

View Logs:

1. Settings → Help → Diagnostics
2. Click “Collect Diagnostics”
3. Save log file
4. Send to support if needed

Common Log Locations:

• Mac: ~/Library/Application Support/Comet/
• Windows: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Comet\User Data\

When to Contact Support

Contact support for:

• Crashes that persist after restart
• Data loss issues
• Security concerns
• Billing problems
• Feature requests

Before contacting:

1. Try all troubleshooting steps
2. Note exact error messages
3. Include Comet version
4. Describe steps to reproduce

Contact Methods:

• Settings → Help → Contact Us
• Email: support@perplexity.ai
• Include diagnostic logs if requested

Prevention Tips

Keep Comet Updated

Auto-updates: Enabled by default Manual check: Settings → About Comet

Regular Maintenance

Weekly:

• Clear cache: Settings → Privacy → Clear Data
• Close unused tabs
• Update extensions

Monthly:

• Check for Comet updates
• Review extension permissions
• Clean up bookmarks
• Export important data

Backup Important Data

Regular backups:

• Bookmarks: Export HTML file
• Passwords: Use password manager
• AI conversations: Export if needed
• Settings: Note custom configurations

Still having issues? Check our FAQ or contact support.

Last Updated: October 24, 2025
Comet Version: Latest (October 2025 Release)