Zotero Connector not working in Web of Science

PiaP · 2025-03-06T17:04:54+00:00

Hello all from a desperate user in Helsinki, Finland.

The "case number" is 869423912.

I was demonstrating Zotero today for some customers (using chrome) and I wasn't able to demonstrate any ways to export/import references to the library. The problems started partially two days ago (possibly earlier, as I haven't tried the connector that much before) when I noticed an error message i the connector in WOS, indicating there was a translator problem. But yesterday evening I was still able to export RIS-files from WOS and use Zotero connector in Pubmed, so I had some stuff for my demonstration. At some point yesterday night however, I got an error message saying that Zotero had fell down and was going to restart. When it was restarted it seemed fine, but it probably did something that caused the larger problem with my exports. Today no exporting options I tried worked in WOS and Pubmed.

The error code I get in the connector tells me there is an issue with the translator, and the error report gives messages like [Info: Service worker (re)started at 2025-03-06 18:08:30] and Java-script errors. Now in the afternoon a new issue (for me) with the WOS Connector appeared, as the connector only offers the option to export "Web page with snapshot", not the full reference.

Today I managed to get the RIS problem addressed. I found an instruction to reset the translator both in Zotero and the Connector, and after that the RIS imports work fine and the Connector work in Pubmed, but not in Web of Science. I have tried to remove the connector and install it again, update the browser, restarted the computer etc, but I seem to just get more and more tangled up in this.

I'm quite illiterate when it comes to "IT-language", I know nothing about coding or scripts (crafts are more my thing), so is there anyway someone can tell me what to do get the WOS connector working in really plain "hands on" language? I hope so and would really appreciate that

Best wishes, Pia

AbeJellinek · 2025-03-06T18:15:15+00:00

We always need a URL to diagnose translator issues. What's the exact URL of the Web of Science page you were trying to save?

PiaP · 2025-03-06T18:36:51+00:00

Hi, this is the URL of the search result page in WOS, from where I wanted to save/export the references. Kindly, Pia
https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/summary/e6d132ec-fe04-46a6-9c43-cb0aede4e0df-014f4aaa5c/relevance/1

PS. Now the connector does not seem to be able to connect with Zotero (desktop version).
“The Zotero Connector was unable to communicate with the Zotero desktop application.” My Zotero is open and closed and opened the browser again. I tried this url http://127.0.0.1:23119/connector/ping and it says Zotero is running

AbeJellinek · 2025-03-06T18:43:56+00:00

Thanks! I was able to reproduce an error when saving the third result on that page ("Determinants of working poverty in Indonesia"). Should now be fixed. Your Zotero Connector should auto-update within a few minutes, or you can you can update translators manually from the Advanced pane of the Zotero settings.

Please let me know if you continue having any issues.

AbeJellinek · 2025-03-06T18:45:04+00:00

@PiaP:

PS. Now the connector does not seem to be able to connect with Zotero (desktop version).
“The Zotero Connector was unable to communicate with the Zotero desktop application.” My Zotero is open and closed and opened the browser again.

Try these steps: https://www.zotero.org/support/kb/connector_zotero_unavailable

PiaP · 2025-03-06T18:46:12+00:00

Thank you, I will try them first thing in the morning!

PiaP · 2025-03-06T18:48:33+00:00

And now I just read your earlier message that you probably managed to fix the problem. *Thank you* I will let you know if i doesn't work out, but for now a nice upcoming weekend!

alex_pereira · 2025-03-07T03:27:05+00:00

me too.it shows“An error occurred while saving this entry. See the translator troubleshooting for more information.”

AbeJellinek · 2025-03-07T04:15:15+00:00

@alex_pereira: Does it still show that if you follow the instructions above? (Update translators manually from the Advanced pane of the Zotero settings.) If so, we’ll need the exact URL of the page where you’re getting an error.

alex_pereira · 2025-03-07T08:04:24+00:00

The problem changed today in the morning.It successfully accomplished the item retrieval without any extra debugging.But it still couldn't download the certain pdf of an item on Web of Science ,while it could do so a week ago and on other website now.Updating translators cannot alter the outcome.
URL：https://webofscience.clarivate.cn/wos/alldb/summary/37bef562-ce54-4af4-a35a-a8eb1fab794c-014fcb8d35/relevance/1

PiaP · 2025-03-07T14:09:18+00:00

Worked like a dream earlier today, but now the translator problem is back. I reset the translators and it worked for a little while but five minutes later the problem was back. So it seems there is some instability going on. Thanks to you who are figuring out this issue and hae a nice weekend!

AbeJellinek · 2025-03-07T14:10:59+00:00

@PiaP: Please give an example URL that's failing.

adamsmith · 2025-03-07T14:38:32+00:00

Could also be rate limiting by WoS. Could you provide a debug ID from the Zotero connector for the URL you're posting as well: https://www.zotero.org/support/debug_output

AbeJellinek · 2025-03-07T19:23:31+00:00

@alex_pereira: Please let me know which of the specific results on that page no longer gives you a PDF.

AbeJellinek · 2025-03-07T19:24:52+00:00

(As far as I know, Web of Science doesn't host any PDFs on its own, so when you do get a PDF, it's because Zotero looked up the DOI and found one. It could be that Zotero just can't find anything for the item you're trying to save.)

alex_pereira · 2025-03-09T01:49:19+00:00

every results.
i understand this one:(As far as I know, Web of Science doesn't host any PDFs on its own, so when you do get a PDF, it's because Zotero looked up the DOI and found one. It could be that Zotero just can't find anything for the item you're trying to save.).
It makes sense that Web of science only provides links to the websites that host PDFs so that it's ok if the connector cannot extract PDFs.

But one week ago when i click the connector button to save the items on web of science,the save loading bar displays the corresponding PDF file under each entry.
for example（just analogy）：
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u16480949/tqbsz3e6z8el34ybf199.png
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u16480949/b3sos49fwugry8ipg90h.png

And at that time,i didn't download the Attanger.I think Zotero might not find pdf through the DOI automaticly without the plug-in.

Please forgive my inauthentic English.However,translation is prone to misinterpretation.

PiaP · 2025-03-10T09:07:30+00:00

EDIT: contacted our IT-support as there seemed to be some browser issues. He basically emptied all browser data, re-installed the connector with Zotero open the entire time, and now it seems to work and I can export references. Fingers crossed!

https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/summary/e6d132ec-fe04-46a6-9c43-cb0aede4e0df-014f4aaa5c/relevance/1

Sorry about not including the link to the problem. Which is when using Chrome and trying to export references with Zotero Connector (in WOS). It works in Microsoft Edge, but Chrome is the recommended browser at our institution. It only allows export of snapshots, not references. And the web page on the Zotero icon is grey.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u1953789/lq33e7b9io0g1o183fwf.png

Have a nice day!