Troubleshooting
Common issues and fixes for Kalam.
Tools Not Detected by Auto-Detect
Symptom: Clicking "Auto Detect Paths" doesn't find some or all tools.
Fix:
- Make sure the tool is installed and running at least once
- Check if the tool is installed in a non-standard location
- Enter the path manually in Settings
- For YASB, GlazeWM, and Zebar: set the config directory path, not the exe path
Profile Doesn't Apply Correctly
Symptom: Clicking "Run" on a profile doesn't change anything or only partially applies.
Fix:
- Check that all tool paths are set correctly in Settings
- Make sure the tool is installed and running
- For Rainmeter: verify the layout name matches a folder in
%APPDATA%/Rainmeter/Layouts/ - For YASB/GlazeWM/Zebar: ensure the config path points to the correct directory
- Try the "Stop All" button first, then apply the profile again
Windhawk Mods Not Applying
Symptom: Windhawk mods don't toggle or settings don't change.
Fix:
- Make sure Windhawk is running before applying
- For Installed mode: Kalam needs to write to the Windows Registry, which may require administrator privileges. The app will prompt for elevation automatically.
- For Portable mode: Ensure the Windhawk Path is set correctly in Settings
- Check that the mod IDs in the profile match your installed mods
- Try restarting Windhawk manually, then apply the profile again
Wallpaper Not Changing
Symptom: Applying a profile doesn't change the desktop wallpaper.
Fix:
- Verify the image file path is correct and the file exists
- Use absolute paths (e.g.,
C:\Users\Name\Pictures\wallpaper.png) - The image must be PNG or JPG format
- If you have multiple monitors, Kalam sets the wallpaper on all virtual desktops
"Running..." Stuck Forever
Symptom: The Run button stays on "Running..." and never completes.
Fix:
- A tool process may be unresponsive. Try clicking "Stop All" to force-kill all managed tools
- If the issue persists, restart the Kalam app
- Check if the tool's process is stuck in Task Manager
Update Not Showing / Not Installing
Symptom: No update banner appears, or the download fails.
Fix:
- Go to Settings and click "Check for Updates" manually
- Make sure you have an internet connection
- Check if a firewall is blocking GitHub API access
- If download fails, try downloading the installer manually from GitHub Releases
Profiles Lost After Reinstall
Symptom: After reinstalling Kalam, profiles are gone.
Fix:
- Profiles are stored in
%APPDATA%/Kalam/userProfiles.json - If you uninstall Kalam, this file may be deleted depending on the uninstaller
- Always export your profiles before uninstalling (see Import / Export page)
- You can manually copy
userProfiles.jsonto the same location after reinstall
Onboarding Wizard Won't Appear
Symptom: The onboarding wizard doesn't show on first launch.
Fix:
- The wizard only appears when
onboardingCompleteisfalsein%APPDATA%/Kalam/userSettings.json - If it was accidentally dismissed, delete the
userSettings.jsonfile to reset - Or manually set
"onboardingComplete": falsein the file
General Tips
- Restart after changes: Some tools need a restart to pick up new configs. Kalam handles this automatically for GlazeWM, Zebar, and Windhawk, but you may need to restart Rainmeter or YASB manually in some cases.
- Check tool versions: Make sure you're using a supported version of each tool. Kalam targets the latest stable releases.
- File paths: Always use absolute paths. Relative paths may not resolve correctly.
- Backup regularly: Use the Export feature to backup your profiles before making major changes.