Zotero can't find data directory and crashes on start up

cvieni
I recently got a new Mac and every time I open zotero the error message "The Zotero data directory could not be found"

Previous directory: /Users/username/Zotero

I have tried locate and use default location and neither of these solve the issue and zotero just immediately crashes. My directory name is different as my username on my computer has changed. I deleted the old zotero file (i don't care if i lose my library) and reinstalled zotero without any change. It still keeps crashing and is currently unuseable :(. Any ideas for how to fix this issue? I am using an M1 mac
  • dstillman
    edited September 2, 2022
    Close Zotero, go to your Zotero profile directory and either delete prefs.js (if you don't care about resetting any preferences) or open it in TextEdit and delete the lines containing dataDir and useDataDir, and restart Zotero.

    There's absolutely no need to delete your library.
  • cvieni
    Thank you so much! That completed fixed the problem! And my old library loaded without any issues. You are a lifesaver!
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