Two Zoteros...

natalienesva

When I click the Zotero icon, two separate libraries open.

The first library opens with an error window that says "Software Updated Failed," as well as an Install Helper permission window that says "Zotero is trying to install a new helper tool." I have to "force quit" this library, and then I can use the second library. Though it frequently crashes, especially when Word is open and after being idle for some time.

(Yes, I mean "crash" and not "freeze". First word is frozen, then my whole computer is frozen and unresponsive to mouse pad or keyboard, and then the computer restarts. So far data has been recovered, but this is not good...)

How can I get rid of broken library? How can I update the software through the application? There is no option to update the software through Zotero tool bar or settings.

Thank you.

adomasven

What operating system are you using? How did you install Zotero?

natalienesva

Thank you for your response.

System: MacOS 14.4.1 (23E224)

I installed Zotero years ago. Some months ago, I tried to update. I either installed an update through the Zotero website, or I re-installed the program again through the Zotero website.

dstillman

Close Zotero, delete Zotero from Applications, and reinstall from the download page. Your data won't be affected.

If that doesn't work, go to ~/Library/Caches/Zotero from Finder → Go → "Go to Folder…" and delete the "updates" folder, and then restart Zotero.

(This might happen if you run Zotero with a non-admin macOS account, which is fairly rare configuration we haven't done much testing on.)

There is no option to update the software through Zotero tool bar or settings.

You can update manually with Help → "Check for Updates…", but that might not fix this.

dstillman

(Note that you're also on an outdated version of macOS Sonoma. You should update to 14.7.1 or to Sequoia.)