Red bar when adding citation

Lizzie.23 · 2025-11-23T19:06:23+00:00

Hello, I am trying to add a citation to word using zotero. Previously it worked, but now whenever I click add citation and select the citation I want to add, a red loading bar appears but then times out and never adds the citation. Could you help me fix this as I need to submit a paper for an urgent deadline.

adamsmith · 2025-11-24T02:29:43+00:00

Most of the time this happens Zotero is waiting for your input in a window, which could be hidden behind other windows -- have you tried cycling (alt-tab) through all open windows?

Lizzie.23 · 2025-11-27T05:36:37+00:00

Thank you very much for replying. I have tried this and nothing changes.

I have upgraded to Zotero version 7 and am using a mac. However, I encountered the issue before upgrading to Zotero 7 (and thought upgrading might fix it). I have tried restarting Word, restarting Zotero, restarting the computer, using Firefox instead of Chrome and nothing makes a difference.

I also read online that I could try re-installing the Zotero-Word plug-in but I do not seem to be able to do this. The website is telling me to click Edit --> Preferences --> Cite --> Word Processors. But I do not have any option for Edit. In fact in my Zotero online and on the computer there is no menu along the top with options like Edit etc.

Grateful for any help that you or anyone else might be able to offer.

damnation · 2025-11-27T08:08:31+00:00

Can you confirm which exact(!) versions you have of:
Zotero:
Word:

That will help the devs with troubleshooting this.

For reinstalling, you don't see this?
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u452233/57dmz97mzsvzzm4z8590.png

Lizzie.23 · 2025-11-27T08:32:17+00:00

Hello there, thanks so much for your reply. I have Word for Mac version 16.69.1. I have Zotero version 7.

Exactly, I do not have that bar of file, edit, view etc at the top.

In Word, I can see a Zotero tab at the top. However, when I try to add a citation, all I see is a red bar that stays for a few minutes and then disappears without adding the citation.

dstillman · 2025-11-27T20:35:38+00:00

As I said via email, we'll want a Debug ID for reproducing the problem.

The menu bar on a Mac is at the top of the screen, not in a window. As in all apps, the settings are accessible via the application menu ("Zotero") → Settings. (Edit → Settings would be for Windows/Linux.)