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Published on in How to, Troubleshooting

AnyDesk Privacy Mode Not Working: Causes, Fixes, and a Simpler Alternative

Author: Emma Collins
Emma Collins Article author

Privacy Mode is one of the more useful features in AnyDesk that turns the remote screen black. It also blocks the keyboard and mouse, so people near the computer cannot see or interrupt your session. When the feature stops working, private remote access can turn into a security risk.

We’ll go through the most common reasons behind AnyDesk privacy mode not working, along with the steps you can take to restore it. 

If the AnyDesk license privacy mode issue keeps getting in the way, you can switch to HelpWire. It lets you hide remote sessions at no cost and does not lock the feature behind a higher-tier plan.

How Privacy Mode is Supposed to Work

When Privacy Mode is enabled, the remote monitor turns black while local keyboard and mouse input is disabled. The technician connected to the session can still view and control the computer normally from their side. Once the session ends or Privacy Mode is turned off, everything returns to normal.

For the privacy mode to work correctly, two things must be in place at the same time. First, the active AnyDesk license must support Privacy Mode. Second, the remote device must have the feature turned on manually in the security settings.

Before You Start: Prerequisites Checklist

Before trying the AnyDesk privacy mode not working fix below, check these things first:
  • • Both AnyDesk installations are updated (older systems like Windows 7 may not work properly)
  • • The remote machine does not have a second monitor connected or powered on
  • • The remote computer is fully logged in and not stuck on UAC, lock screen, or Ctrl+Alt+Del
  • • If the system uses multiple GPUs, AnyDesk should run on the graphics card that handles the main screen
  • • You are using a different device for the connection (Privacy Mode will not work if both sides share the same AnyDesk ID)
  • • The remote monitor is not rotated, which is a known issue on Windows 8/10

How to Fix AnyDesk Privacy Mode Issues

Privacy Mode failures in AnyDesk usually come down to one of three things: a licensing restriction, a missed setting on the remote machine, or an OS-level event that overrides the feature entirely. Before spending time on complex troubleshooting, it helps to know which category your issue falls into. 

Licensing Restrictions

One common reason behind the AnyDesk license privacy mode issue is that the free plan does not support this feature. If you open the shield menu during a session and get a notice saying “Your license does not allow this feature,” changing the settings will not help. AnyDesk only allows Privacy Mode on paid subscriptions.

This issue comes up often in user forums.

"Apparently you need a paid license to enable privacy mode. Click the shield icon in the top right of the AnyDesk window, and hover over the 'Enable Privacy Mode' button — it'll say 'Your license does not allow this feature.''
— AnyDesk

For individual technicians or small teams that rely on screen privacy during remote support but can’t afford those paid plans, the license requirement becomes a real limitation.

At that stage, the bigger issue is not the setup itself, but whether another remote desktop tool can provide the same privacy features without requiring a paid subscription.

Permission not Enabled on the Remote Machine

Even if you already have a supported license, the remote computer must still allow Privacy Mode manually. This setting is easy to overlook during setup.

  1. On the remote computer, open AnyDesk and go to Settings > Security > Permissions.

  2. Tick the box called “Enable Privacy Mode.”

  3. Start the session from your side, then turn on Privacy Mode by clicking the shield icon in the AnyDesk toolbar.

Note:  Keep in mind that Privacy Mode only works after the full connection is established. It cannot be enabled directly from the login screen.

OS-level Security Screens

AnyDesk privacy mode not working can happen during certain system-level events, no matter what settings or license you use.

This includes:

  • • UAC (User Account Control) prompts
  • • Ctrl + Alt + Del screens
  • • Lock screens and logout sequences
  • • User switching events

During these system events, the remote display may show for a moment. This happens because Windows takes control of those screens and blocks other apps from overriding them, including AnyDesk.

Note:  This behavior is by design. Windows takes exclusive control of these screens and blocks all third-party apps from overriding them — Privacy Mode will resume automatically once the remote machine returns to the normal desktop.

HelpWire — Free Alternative to AnyDesk without Licensing Restrictions

If none of the AnyDesk privacy mode not working fix steps above work and you still run into licensing problems, HelpWire may be a simpler option to consider.

HelpWire is a free remote support platform designed for IT professionals and support teams. It does not place session privacy behind a paid plan, and there are no commercial-use restrictions or forced session limits.

Why Choose HelpWire?

  • Completely free to use.

    HelpWire doesn’t charge for personal or business use. There are no limits on usage, no locked features, and no need to enter payment details.

  • Security Remote Access.

    Each connection is secured using TLS/SSL along with AES-256 encryption.

  • Permission-Based Access Control.

    Clients decide when to allow access and can stop it anytime using an in-app control or quick shortcut, so no session continues without permission.

  • Unattended Access.

    You can reach a device even when no one is sitting in front of the computer, which helps with maintenance tasks, scheduled fixes, or work that happens outside normal hours.

  • Client & Team Management.

    You can keep track of sessions and organize client lists. You can also assign team roles so help requests and fixes are easy to manage.

  • Cross-Platform Compatibility.

    HelpWire supports Windows, macOS, and Linux systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Turn on unattended access on the remote computer. Go to Settings > Security > Unattended Access and set a password. Once that’s done, you can log in using the password you made. You don’t need to wait for someone to accept the connection each time anymore.

One security problem with AnyDesk is that it sometimes routes traffic through relay servers when a direct connection cannot be established. Some users see this as a concern for highly sensitive environments. The software’s free version may also flag business activity and cut a session off without warning. For organizations that need stricter control, AnyDesk offers a self-hosted on-premises solution, though it requires additional infrastructure and maintenance.

You can hide the remote display using Privacy Mode. Switch it on under Settings > Security > Permissions on the remote computer, then activate it during the session using the shield icon in the toolbar. This hides what’s shown on the remote display and stops anyone at the computer from using the keyboard or mouse. Note that this feature only works with a paid plan.

Tags:
AnyDesk, Tips & Tricks