Zotero 8 gets stuck indefinitely at “Loading items…”

Liu_SJ · 2026-01-24T13:47:45+00:00

[Split from Zotero 8 isn't loading database]

I’m experiencing the same issue as described here.

On macOS, Zotero 8 gets stuck indefinitely at “Loading items…”, even in Troubleshooting Mode with all third-party extensions disabled.

I also tested with the latest Zotero 8 beta, and the behavior is the same. This does not seem to be related to the number of annotations or database size.

Debug ID: 1214753479

At the moment, the only reliable workaround for me is to downgrade to Zotero 7 and disable automatic updates. Zotero 7 loads the same library without any issues.

dstillman · 2026-01-24T13:48:46+00:00

If it never loads, that's a different issue, so moving this to a separate thread. Can you provide a Debug ID for Zotero startup through a few minutes of waiting, using the "Restart with Logging Enabled…" option? (You provided a Report ID, not a Debug ID.)

Liu_SJ · 2026-01-24T13:57:19+00:00

I have retested the issue using Zotero 8.0-beta.28+fef217845.

The problem persists, and Zotero still gets stuck at “Loading items…”.

Debug ID: D505304632

I hope this helps with this issue.

dstillman · 2026-01-24T14:06:38+00:00

That’s not a Debug ID for Zotero startup.

Liu_SJ · 2026-01-24T14:11:10+00:00

D1527066603

This might be the right Debug ID.

dstillman · 2026-01-25T17:03:58+00:00

[JavaScript Error: "'annotation' not loaded for item (887/1/2E8WF9WN)"]

Check your database integrity from the Advanced → Files and Folders pane of the Zotero settings. Does it find problems?

Liu_SJ · 2026-01-29T12:18:18+00:00

I have run the database integrity check in settings. It passed and no errors were reported.
The same database works normally in version 7.0.32.

Liu_SJ · 2026-01-29T12:31:37+00:00

If this is a local database problem, would deleting the local version and re-syncing from the web library can fix it?

Linco9 · 2026-02-02T15:02:13+00:00

I have met the same problem with you, downgrading to zotero7 works. I hope the engineers could fix it in the next version.

dstillman · 2026-02-02T15:02:59+00:00

@Linco9: We would need a Debug ID for Zotero startup from you as well to say whether this is the same issue.

PhilippeMaugis · 2026-02-10T16:47:01+00:00

Hello,

I have the same problem. Since the automatic upgrade from Zotero 7 to Zotero 8 on my Mac, My Library sheet has shown "Loading Items" for hours now.

ID 162913635

Philippe.

dstillman · 2026-02-10T16:47:40+00:00

@PhilippeMaugis: Same answer. We need a Debug ID from Zotero startup. That's a Report ID.

PhilippeMaugis · 2026-02-10T17:31:05+00:00

Please, tell me how I can get that ID?

dstillman · 2026-02-10T17:41:28+00:00

I explained above.

PhilippeMaugis · 2026-02-10T21:08:44+00:00

I did the Restart with Logging Enabled. Where is the ID now?

dstillman · 2026-02-10T21:43:46+00:00

It’s all explained above and in the linked section.

PhilippeMaugis · 2026-02-10T21:52:08+00:00

Ok, I got it!

D1475313362