File sync error - javascript error: "no element found"

JoshCraig

Every time I sync my Zotero lately I get a file sync error. This error occurs even after I restart Zotero or restart my computer.

I would report the error with an ID number, but when I go to report the error I get another error: 'Invalid response from the repository'.

Here is the error message I receive:

[JavaScript Error: "A file sync error occurred. Please try syncing again.

If you receive this message repeatedly, restart Zotero and/or your computer and try again. If you continue to receive the message, submit an error report and post the Report ID to a new thread in the Zotero Forums." {file: "chrome://zotero/content/xpcom/storage.js" line: 404}]

[JavaScript Error: "no element found" {file: "https://JoshCraig:********@api.zotero.org/groups/489117/items/72J6M7BJ/file?auth=1&iskey=1&version=1&info=1" line: 1}]

[JavaScript Error: "no element found" {file: "https://JoshCraig:********@api.zotero.org/groups/489117/items/5G2636X7/file?auth=1&iskey=1&version=1&info=1" line: 1}]

Is there anyway I can fix this?

Is it possible to at least identify the offending files and delete them?

dstillman

Are you still seeing this? Good chance this was just a brief server glitch.

JoshCraig

Yes. I just closed Zotero, re-opened and synced again and I still get the error. For the record, I'm using Zotero Standalone v4.0.20.

dstillman

Zotero 4.0.20 is over two years old. If you really mean that, you should upgrade to the latest version from the download page.

JoshCraig

And I still get the same error message when I try to report it.

JoshCraig

Yes, my IT department tells me Zotero updates are difficult to push out so we don't update regularly. I'll try it at home with the latest version and see if things are different.

dstillman

Well, the latest version may or may not help, but if not this would be an issue with your network or computer security/firewall/proxy settings, so you'd likely need to enlist the help of your IT department either way.

As a start, you could check if you have a normal connection to various Zotero domains:

https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/site_certificate_info

You'd want to check https://sync.zotero.org, https://api.zotero.org, and https://repo.zotero.org.

JoshCraig

OK thanks I'll give it a shot and let you know how I go.

JoshCraig

Connection seems normal. I get a green padlock issued by RapidSSL in all three cases.

dstillman

If you generate debug output for trying to submit an error report (assuming it still fails), click View, and paste the output into an email to support@zotero.org with a link to this thread, we can take a look. Something is preventing Standalone from making normal network requests. (Both syncing and error report submissions should work, and it's simpler to look at the latter.)

JoshCraig

I've sent the debug output through. Thanks.

dstillman

I'm afraid that just shows your network requests being interrupted. That's also still with 4.0.20. We can't provide any support for a version that old, so you'll need to upgrade before doing anything else.

JoshCraig

No worries, understandable. I'll return to this thread when we eventually upgrade.