Sync failure on new machine

connorwood
Hi, I've just downloaded the Zotero standalone app for Mac on a new machine, signed in, and tried to sync with my online library. The green arrow rotated for about an hour, then stopped, and I received this error message:

"Error connecting to server. Check your Internet connection."

My internet connection is fine, as evidenced by the fact that I can use this forum. Here's my report ID:

587201622

Any help would be appreciated. I'm going to try syncing again in the meanwhile. Thanks.
  • dstillman
    This is usually due to incorrect system proxy server settings or security software on the system interfering with Zotero's ability to access the network — try correcting or disabling those to see if that helps.
  • connorwood
    Thanks, Dan. I'm using the standalone version of Zotero, which I believe doesn't support proxy settings. The computer (Macbook Pro 2015) is brand-new, with no dedicated security software.

    When I retried syncing since my original post, the green arrow spun for about 45 minutes, and then I got a progress bar saying "Processing Updated Data from Sync Server." The bar seemed to be full, but Zotero froze. I got the rainbow pinwheel and had to force-quit.
  • adamsmith
    and then I got a progress bar saying "Processing Updated Data from Sync Server." The bar seemed to be full, but Zotero froze. I got the rainbow pinwheel and had to force-quit.
    Zotero may freeze on large initial syncs. Let it run for at least 15mins; don't force quit.
  • connorwood
    Update: after restarting Zotero following my force-quit, everything seems to have transferred. Syncing was successful. Thanks for the feedback.
  • dstillman
    I'm using the standalone version of Zotero, which I believe doesn't support proxy settings.
    System proxy settings — which can cause the "Error connecting to server. Check your Internet connection." error — are unrelated to the site proxy support in Zotero for Firefox. But not relevant if it's working now.
  • connorwood
    Good to know, though – thanks, will keep in mind for the future.
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