file sync error, zotero unable to find file

skassama
Files stored on a local computer are not syncing to zotero web version although there is ample storage space. The debug file says it is unable to locate the file but still opens the file when clicked on and properties of the file match the zotero documentation.

Debug ID: D1854677516
  • dstillman
    The debug file says it is unable to locate the file but still opens the file when clicked on
    I'm not sure what you mean by that, but make sure you're following the Files Not Syncing precisely and providing the requested info. This doesn't look quite right.
  • skassama
    the attached file opens on a local computer and is a stored file found in zotero data directory (C:\Users\\Zotero). file syncing is enabled and gives no errors. file cannot be opened on zotero.org. the file is located in a private group library and file editing is enabled. i used the sync -> reset file sync history option and generated the above Debug ID.

    some file attachments can be found on zotero.org but others generate a "Remote file not found" in the debug output when attempting to sync. all files can be found in the zotero data directory even though the debug report notes "File download sync finished (0 failed)"
  • dstillman
    edited June 14, 2024
    OK, but see the instructions. You're not providing all the info we need depending on the exact file you're referring to.

    For a file that exists locally that can't be opened in the web library:
    For Zotero Storage, include the URL from the web library where you're not able to access the file.
  • skassama
    edited June 14, 2024
    ok, thank you. here is the URL to the web library: https://www.zotero.org/groups/5557771/[… — D.S.]/library
  • dstillman
    No, you need to click on the actual attachment and provide the URL for that.
  • skassama
    edited June 14, 2024
    https://www.zotero.org/groups/5557771/[…]/items/745HQK3K/attachment/LX3RZBHL/library
  • dstillman
    edited June 14, 2024
    Based on the debug output, that shouldn't be a file that exists locally on your computer. You can paste "LX3RZBHL" into the Zotero search bar in All Fields & Tags mode to see that attachment. I suspect you won't be able to open it. And if you do right-click → Show File on the file you're looking at, you should see a different folder name.

    Assuming that's all the case, per the Files Not Syncing steps, the file just hasn't been uploaded to the online library from the computer where it was added.
  • skassama
    i am able to locate the file locally on my computer. when i click on the file on zotero.org, it directs me to the website the file is from.


  • skassama


  • dstillman
    edited June 14, 2024
    Are the date and time on your computer wrong? That file appears to have been created 4 days before the item was added to Zotero.

    Can you provide a Debug ID for opening that file locally?
  • skassama
    yes, the date is correct. the file was added to the group library after being added to zotero. here is a debug ID for opening the file: D861543586
  • dstillman
    edited June 14, 2024
    the file was added to the group library after being added to zotero
    I'm not sure I follow. The item was added to Zotero on June 5th, so how could the file on disk have been created on June 1st? Did you add this on this computer, or was it added on another computer (and is their system time correct)?
  • skassama
    good point, I am not certain about the date discrepancies. the file was added from this computer and the date and time is correct.
  • skassama
    i just tested this out. there was a file in my personal library that i moved to the group library. the file has the same date variation:



  • dstillman
    Ah, OK, when you copy files between libraries, we copy the entire attachment folder, including the supplementary files (.zotero-ft-cache, etc.), and I guess we preserve the date on those.

    We'll investigate the upload issue.
  • skassama
    Thank you, I appreciate your attention to this matter.
  • dstillman
    One more thing: if you select the attachment item in Zotero and run this from Tools → Developer → Run JavaScript, what's the result?

    ZoteroPane.getSelectedItems()[0].attachmentSyncState
  • skassama
    edited June 14, 2024
    I am probably doing something incorrectly, please advise:

  • dstillman
    No, that’s correct, thanks.
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