I know this is an old post but if this issue still exists:

I remember having trouble with the bedroom puzzle when i played this game on steam. I searched the forums and found out that this game is kinda connected to fps.

So i reduced my games fps to 30fps (or 60fps?) and the problem was gone. I guess i used nvidia inspector to do so.

This. There is something that no one mentioned so far: the decay of the bar is not linear at all. The further you get, the slower it drains. So, if you manage to get to the middle, you will eventually make it.

The game changes from a turn-based puzzle to a real time one, without limitation of moves and without broken hearts. Therefore, a good approach might be what dave031387 says, which is essentially what I did as well: focus on the two lower files, try to get horizontal lines, 4+ if you can. Use vertical lines if you have not other option. Eventually there will be a cascade. Follow it up as you can even with 3-lines, so that the flame does not burns out :) If there are chances for 4+ lines, use them, but do not stop too much.

This way, from a small cascade you can persist and eventually another cascade will take you further to a plateau. Once you are in the plateau, if you do not let the fire to be extinguished, you will make it. Yay! :)

I do not know about other refresh rates nor even if it matters at all, but this worked fine at 60 Hz. I will say it again: the bar drains fast only when it remains almost empty. Once you make a beachhead, you just need to keep at it. Focus on the two lower files as much as you can. Good luck! ;)

Also, you will notice when you are on the right path. The attire might eventually change while you are at it... ;)

My simple suggestion- just have a halfway checkpoint for the bar, so it won't drain below that point once you reach it. There's a visual indication for halfway already.
Give us a break for a minute, for ffs.

This puzzle is infact a performance anxiety simulator, rather than fun fap fuel.

(It's also painful to read the old veteran maschocists on the forums here & Steam, who take such pride in mastering the mechanics of a friggin porn game. Talk about misplaced pride.
If users want it easier, because it doesn't meet their reasonable expectations of difficulty and/or fun, it's not their duty to suck it up and practice. That's just conservative grandpa "back in my day we got our asses whipped" thinking).