Skip to content

FAQ

Report an Issue

If this page does not resolve your issue, please follow these steps to report your problem:

  • Keep the application running, right-click the tray icon → Logs → Export, and export the logs as a text file.
  • Send the text file to pavostudio@hotmail.com with a brief description of the issue. Include screenshots or videos if necessary.

Startup Issues

The application does not start properly

  • Install .Net Framework 4.6 or a higher version. If installation fails, reset your system.
  • In the Steam library, click Launch and select Repair.
  • Try installing the application in a different directory (some directories, like certain system directories on the C drive, may have read/write permission issues).
  • Update your graphics driver.

"Startup failed / DESKWND_NOT_FOUND" error

  • Avoid using the Insider Preview version of the operating system, as it is not supported.
  • Restart your computer.
  • Close other wallpaper software or desktop management software.
  • Go to Advanced System Settings → Performance → Visual Effects, and switch to Recommended Settings or Best Appearance.
  • Antivirus or security software (including Windows Defender) may block the application. Add the installation directory to the whitelist or disable such software.

"Aero Theme Required" error

This issue typically occurs on Windows 7. Right-click on the desktop → Personalization → Select an Aero theme.

"Connection Failed" or "Connection Error" in the control panel

  • Ensure that the wallpaper/desktop program is displayed correctly and the tray icon is visible (if not, reinstall .Net Framework 4.6).
  • In the Steam library, click Launch and select Repair.
  • Disable the network firewall, or add the installation directory bin/lw/lw.exe to the Allow an App through Firewall list.
  • Shut down the computer completely and restart (do not just reboot).

Application starts normally, but wallpaper is not visible or the mouse cannot control the wallpaper

  • In the Steam library, click Launch and select Repair.
  • Desktop assistants or system customization software may interfere with the wallpaper or mouse events. Try closing such software.
  • Disable the network firewall, or add the installation directory bin/lw/lw.exe to the Allow an App through Firewall list.

Application is unusually slow after startup, with high CPU usage (Windows)

Go to Tray Settings → Display → GPU, and manually select 0 or 1.

Black background in Desktop Mode (Windows)

  • NVIDIA Control Panel → Manage 3D Settings → Disable Multi-Frame Sampled AA (MFAA) and Antialiasing - FXAA.
  • Tray Settings → Graphics API → Set to Auto.

Screen flickering (MacOS)

System Settings → Accessibility → Display → Enable Reduce Transparency. If your computer has a dedicated GPU, go to System Settings → Energy Saver and disable Automatic Graphics Switching.

"Update failed, access to path xxx is denied" error

  • Disable all security software or software managers.
  • Restart your computer and ensure no security software runs automatically.
  • Install in a different directory.

Does the software require Steam to run?

Steam is required to browse and use Workshop items. Otherwise, the application can run independently of Steam.

Cannot connect to Steam even when launched via Steam

  • Go to the application installation directory, locate the four .exe files in the bin folder, and uncheck "Run as Administrator" for each.
  • Log out or restart your computer.

Workshop page in the control panel is empty

  • If this is your first time using the software, browse the Workshop and subscribe to items. Once the downloads are complete, they will appear in the list.
  • If you have subscribed to items before but the list is empty, ensure the Steam client is running and that the control panel shows "Connected to Steam" in the top left corner. Then click the Refresh Items button.

Subscribed Workshop items do not appear in the list

In some cases, Steam stops downloading items when it detects the application is running. Close the control panel temporarily and reopen it once the items have finished downloading.

Purchased Spine Expansion (DLC) but cannot load Spine models

Subscribe to any Spine model in the Workshop.

Usage Tips

How to launch the application on system startup

Control Panel → Settings → Enable "Launch at system startup."

How to pause the wallpaper when other applications are fullscreen/maximized

Right-click the tray icon → Settings → Find the corresponding option and adjust as needed.

Displaying models on top in desktop mode / Displaying models in fullscreen games

  • In the Control Panel settings → Desktop, enable Always Display on Top.
  • For fullscreen games, set the mode to Borderless Window.

Taskbar not appearing when models are displayed on top in desktop mode

In the Control Panel settings, change the Desktop Display Type to Window, and adjust the window size to match the screen resolution while leaving some space for the taskbar.

Face capture application won't open or crashes upon opening

Ensure the installation path does not contain non-English characters or special characters.

Cannot load video backgrounds

Install a third-party codec, such as LAV Filters.

Application crashes when setting a video background

In the Steam client → Library → Right-click the application → Properties → Betas, and switch to legacy_version.

Texture issues with models

Control Panel → Settings → Display → Enable Texture Fix and try adjusting the Anisotropic Filtering Level (this option may increase GPU usage).

High CPU/GPU usage

Loading multiple models, filters, effects, or video backgrounds can increase CPU and GPU usage. Specifically: * Models and videos (software decoding) affect CPU usage. * Filters, effects, and videos (hardware decoding) affect GPU usage.

No sound from models or videos

  • Some models and videos may not contain audio data.
  • In the Control Panel settings, ensure model audio and video sound are enabled.
  • Open the system volume mixer and check the volume for lw.exe, ensuring it is not muted.

Visualization effects are not working

  • Check if the Input Device in the visualization options matches the system's selected speaker.
  • Open the system volume mixer and check the volume for lw.exe, ensuring it is not muted.
  • Check if the following software is installed. These programs may disable certain functions, preventing the application from detecting audio data. Configure them correctly or uninstall them:
    • Razer Headset Software
    • Nahimic
    • Sonic Suite
    • Alienware Audio
    • Other audio enhancement software

Miscellaneous

How to completely uninstall the software

Due to the application's unique update mechanism, using Steam's uninstall function does not fully remove it. Follow these steps to uninstall completely: * Navigate to the installation folder. * Uninstall the software via the Steam client. * Delete the installation folder.

Application compatibility

Third-Party Application Wallpaper Mode Desktop Mode
Wallpaper Engine Incompatible Compatible