Error connecting to server. Check your Internet connection.

careybunning · 2025-02-15T00:28:51+00:00

I've recently downloaded zotero. I haven't been able to set up syncing though. Every time I try, it comes up with the error message. The problem is, I'm not particularly tech savvy, and I have no idea what the instructions on the website about proxies mean, let alone able to try them.

Can anyone walk me through it like I'm five? If it makes a difference, my laptop is a 2018 Macbook Air, and I use Mozilla Firefox.

Thanks

enozkan · 2025-02-15T03:37:35+00:00

My guess is you are looking at the Zotero connector's preferences in Firefox, which has a Proxies tab. That's not where you set up sync.

You don't set up syncing in Firefox/browser. You need to install the Zotero app, and go to the app's preferences. https://www.zotero.org/support/sync#data_syncing

If it says "Firefox" at the top bar of your screen (next to the Apple sign), you are in the wrong place. It should say "Zotero".

https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u5124/ailjwcv6934bv6n8lp43.png

But that's just a guess.

enozkan · 2025-02-15T03:39:34+00:00

(And the Preferences are now called Settings.)

dstillman · 2025-02-15T07:23:18+00:00

I assume @careybunning is referring to the Connection Error troubleshooting steps, which should be linked from the error dialog.

@careybunning, when exactly do you get this error? Are you able to submit a Report ID, or does that fail too?

Is this an institutional computer? Are you running any third-party security software or connecting to the internet via a VPN or proxy server?