Zotero doesn't sync all my files in one of my devices

rv1 · August 14, 2025

I have Zotero for PC both in my work device (device A) and in my personal device (device B).
I also have Zotero App for iOS in an iPad (device C).

Zotero doesn't sync all my files in device B, but does in devices A and C. I am unable to find several folders from my library in device B, even if I have some of the library available.

I have made sure that device A and C are fully synched, and then tried to see if the sync options for device B were off, but they are alright.

Debug ID: 6979134

dstillman · August 14, 2025

See Files Not Syncing, and provide the requested info if you're still having trouble. (What you provided isn't a Debug ID, for starters.)

rv1 · 2025-09-26T09:01:41+00:00

Hi,

Sorry for the delay.
I tried again the Debug ID, is this one right?
Debug ID A: D1207596762

I have the maximum storage subscription, I've been having it for a while now.

Situation: in device A arrow keeps spinning sync
In Device B I can't see the files (only the reference) that I tried uploading from Device A. Neither in my web library.

Also, 2nd problem, Device A shows more group libraries than I chose to see, and I am shown all group libraries I ever belonged to. I got the Debug for the second problem, Debug ID B: 985302358

I'm afraid of using the "manually copy your entire Zotero data directory to a synced folder on one computer, and then restore it — again with Zotero closed — on another computer, as if you were performing a backup and restore of your data." (https://www.zotero.org/support/sync#file_syncing) because I may have made changes in other Zotero files from devices that are not device A, and I understand I would miss those changes.

Hoping this makes sense. Thank you

rv1 · 2025-09-26T09:13:11+00:00

PS:

I have also tried "Tools → Manage Attachments → Convert Linked Files to Stored Files to make the files syncable. " and the option is not active, I add a screeenshot:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u7842188/glcqklh6h5u10q6f7yss.jpg

I then tried " Sync → Reset pane of the Zotero settings on Computer A and select Reset File Sync History for the library in question"

and I can't:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u7842188/ashvqo90ejxz430rc06f.png

Also, I'm not getting any "sync error" icon

dstillman · 2025-09-26T14:49:07+00:00

Start by installing the latest version of Zotero from the download page over your current version. (The version you have, 7.0.16, isn't currently being automatically updated.) Your data won't be affected.

If it still happens after that, can you provide a Debug ID, using the "Restart with Logging Enabled…" option, for Zotero startup through a few minutes of the sync icon spinning?

Don't do anything else. If the sync icon is spinning continuously, that's a data-syncing problem, not a file-syncing problem, so no other steps are relevant.