If you are not able to log into your MasterCook.com account in the sync manager, check the Status in the lower-left corner of the sync manager. You will not be able to log into your account at MasterCook.com if it states Offline.
If it shows Offline, that means something on your computer is blocking the sync manager program from using your internet connection. There are several programs and even Windows settings that can cause this problem.
1. Try restarting your computer. Sometimes this alone corrects the problem.
2. Make sure to add MasterCook's EXE files to your antivirus program's Exclusion List, otherwise, they will block MasterCook from using your internet connection and cause this problem. If you have multiple security programs (ioBit, malwarebytes, etc.), you must add MasterCook to ALL of them. Then restart the computer and try again.
3. If the two steps above do not help, then you need to reinstall the program as explained in the articles linked below.
PREPARATION
BACKUP FILES
Before you go any further, back up your files as explained here: MasterCook Backup
UPDATE MASTERCOOK
Next, confirm MasterCook on your computer is the latest version. See these links below.
- MasterCook 22: MasterCook 22 Software Updates – MasterCook Community
- MasterCook 20: https://support.mastercook.com/hc/en-us/articles/360052486591-MasterCook-2020-for-Windows-Software-Update-Files
- MasterCook 15: https://www.mastercook.com/mastercook-15-pc-updates
UPDATE WINDOWS
Check Windows Updates on your computer. If Windows is not up to date on your computer, it can cause this problem. It has for others.
SOLUTIONS
RESTART COMPUTER
Sometimes this alone will solve the issue. Your computer will often disconnect apps, like MasterCook from your network connection when the computer goes to sleep.
To find out if this is the cause of your problem, restart your computer. Startup only MasterCook. Go to the sync manager. Wait about 10 seconds. Check the Status in the lower-left corner of the sync manager to see if it now shows Connected.
If this was the cause of your problem, to prevent this from happening again, follow Method 2 in this article: Prevent Windows 10 from Disconnecting Network during Sleep
LAPTOP METERED CONNECTION
If you are using a laptop computer, the Windows Metered Connection can block My MasterCook Manager from connecting to the internet. You can disable it. See these instructions.
ANTIVIRUS PROGRAM
If the problem remains after restarting the computer, that means a program on your computer is blocking My MasterCook Manager from using your internet connection. This is most likely caused by your antivirus program.
In fact Malwarebytes has caused this problem for several customers.
All antivirus and internet security programs have an Exclusion List so you can add programs to it when they block them.
One customer reports: "In order to fix the problem I had to open network and Internet, then firewall, then allow an app through firewall, click change settings, click allow another app, then navigate to where the MasterCook exe file was installed. Then I restarted the computer. Now I am able to connect."
Another customer reports: "I put SyncManager.exe in the firewall exception (Bitdefender firewall) and put MasterCook.com in the VPN exception (Bitdefender VPN) and restarted my computer. Now the sync manager works."
Check the documentation for your antivirus program about its exclusion list for instructions on adding MasterCook to it. Or, contact their Support Department to get instructions on adding programs to its exclusion list.
You can also uninstall your antivirus program (Windows will use its own by default.) and try again. If it works, then you know your antivirus program is causing it. You can reinstall your antivirus program and contact their Support Department to find out how to unblock apps such as the MasterCook Manager.
If you are using McAfee, see this:
https://service.mcafee.com/webcenter/portal/cp/home/articleview?locale=en-US&articleId=TS102056
As you can see in the article above, McAfee will prevent programs from fully working on your computer unless you add them to the exclusion list for real time scanning. It can cause this problem for MasterCook on your computer.
If you are using any other antivirus/internet security program, they too will often prevent MasterCook from working properly. Add MasterCook and My MasterCook Manager to the exclusion list for each of your installed antivirus/internet security program. Other MasterCook users have had to add MasterCook and My MasterCook Manager to the exclusion list for programs such as Kaspersky, Malwarebytes, and System Mechanic.
You may have to restart your computer after adding MasterCook and My MasterCook Manager to the exclusion list for your antivirus/internet security programs.
Avast Exclusion List Instructions
McAfee Exclusion List Instructions
Microsoft Defender Instructions
Norton Exclusion List Instructions
There are many others. Contact their support department if necessary for instructions on how to add apps to their exclusion list.
MasterCook 24
The main MasterCook 24 program is the Mastercook24.exe file within this folder on your computer:
C:\Program Files (x86)\MasterCook 24\Program
The Sync Manager program is the SyncManager.exe file within this folder on your computer:
C:\Program Files (x86)\MasterCook 24\SyncManager
MasterCook 22
The main MasterCook 22 program is the Mastercook22.exe file within this folder on your computer:
C:\Program Files (x86)\MasterCook 22\Program
The Sync Manager program is the SyncManager.exe file within this folder on your computer:
C:\Program Files (x86)\MasterCook 22\SyncManager
MasterCook 20
The main MasterCook 20 program is the Mastercook20.exe file within this folder on your computer:
C:\Program Files (x86)\MasterCook 20\Program
The My MasterCook Manager program is the MyMasterCook.exe file within this folder on your computer:
C:\Program Files (x86)\MasterCook 20\MyMasterCook
MasterCook 15
The main MasterCook 15 program is the Mastercook15.exe file within this folder on your computer:
C:\Program Files (x86)\MasterCook 15\Program
The My MasterCook Manager program is the MyMasterCook.exe file within this folder on your computer:
C:\Program Files (x86)\MasterCook 15\MyMasterCook
FIREWALL SETTINGS
Some users report that they were able to solve their problem by adding the My MasterCook Manager's EXE file to their allow list for their firewall settings.
OTHER CAUSES
Reinstalling MasterCook has solved this issue for others.
Another user found the drivers for their wifi adapter needed to be updated. Even though many other programs on their computer were able to access the internet, as soon as they updated the drivers for their wifi adapter, it solved their problem immediately.
If you have tried all of the things listed above, you need to contact a computer technician and have them figure out which setting or program on your computer is blocking the internet access for MasterCook. When you learn the cause, report it to MasterCook and we will update this article for others.
SYNCING ONCE THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED
Once you have solved the problem, you are ready to sync with your MasterCook.com account. For the best success, please follow these tips below.
Before you sync, please make sure you have current backup copies of your files. Follow these instructions: MasterCook 15/2020 Backup or MasterCook 22 Backup
NEVER OPEN backup copies of your cookbooks or you will corrupt the program.
Additionally, make sure you do not have any duplicate online cookbooks otherwise they won't sync properly. See this: Deleted Recipes While Syncing
When you sync, please always follow the numbered steps in this article: Best Practices for Syncing
The above article also mentions things that will cause syncing problems, so please review those before you sync.
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