Error opening the Zotero app (already installed!)

haileyj1004
The Zotero database cannot be opened.

Make sure you have read and write permissions for all files in the Zotero data directory and that security software isn’t preventing Zotero from accessing that directory.

Data Directory: (my directory)



I got this error message above when trying to open the installed app. I already installed the package and dragged the app to the folder. And now I have the Zotero app in my mac application folder.
But, somehow it's not allowing me to open the app. I keep getting this error message.
How do I fix this problem?
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u16204172/8exxbwgox9hgryyrjm53.png
  • dstillman
    edited 15 days ago
    This is about your data directory, not the Zotero application.

    Have you used Zotero before on this computer?

    If not, did you copy data from another computer where you used Zotero?

    Do you have your Zotero data directory set to a non-standard location?

    Generally this error just means what it says: the file permissions of the Zotero data directory are wrong, and you need to fix them in Finder. That should never happen in a new installation with no previous data.
  • haileyj1004
    Thank you for your response.

    Never used Zotero before on this computer and didn't copy data from another computer!
    What do you mean by the last question?
  • dstillman
    Can you provide a Debug ID for Zotero startup, using the "Restart with Logging Enabled…" option?
  • haileyj1004
    https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u16204172/4pb6sp4wq6gyyojas94b.png

    where can i find the debug ID? I don't see "Restart with Logging Enabled..." option from the Help.
  • dstillman
    It looks like Zotero hasn't started up enough for that option to appear. See Reporting Startup Errors for command-line instructions.
  • haileyj1004
    edited 15 days ago
    [image removed — D.S.]
    (1)(+0000022): NS_ERROR_FILE_ACCESS_DENIED Exception: Could not open connection to /Users/[username]/Zotero/zotero.sqlite: 2152857621 [Exception...
    "Could not open connection to /Users/[username]/Zotero/zotero.sqlite: 2152857621" nsresult: "0x80520015 (NS_ERROR_FILE_ACCESS_DENIED)" location: "JS frame :: resource://gre/modules/Sqlite.sys.mjs :: openConnection/</< :: line 1336" data: no] openConnection/</<@resource://gre/modules /Sqlite.sys.mjs:1336:23 From previous event: Zotero.DBConnection.prototype._getConnectionAsync@chrome://zotero/content/xpcom/db.js:1197:45
    Can submit the Debug Output
  • haileyj1004
    Cannot*
  • dstillman
    Open Terminal from Spotlight, paste this in, press Return, and copy the output here:

    ls -la ~/Zotero
  • haileyj1004
    edited 15 days ago
    ls: /Users/[username]/Zotero: No such file or directory
  • dstillman
    Oh, there's a problem with the permissions of your home folder. What about this?

    ls -lad ~
  • haileyj1004
    edited 15 days ago
    dr-x------+ 88 [username] staff 2816 Jul 31 15:27 /Users/[username]
  • dstillman
    edited 15 days ago
    OK, that's wrong. That would prevent you yourself and any programs you run from creating a folder in the home folder. This isn't the default, so somehow this got broken on your system.

    Run this:

    sudo chmod 755 ~

    It will prompt for your password. Type it in (it won't show up), and then press Return. After that, Zotero should be able to start.
  • haileyj1004
    oh my god! yesss it worked!
    Thank you so much :)
  • dstillman
    OK, great. I've removed your username above.
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