Helper Install Blocking Opening Zotero

kdonovan11
I have Zotero installed on my work laptop. Recently, when I try to open Zotero it wants to install a 'helper.' My admin privileges do not allow this. As a result, Zotero stops responding and closes down, instead of opening up.

Instead of trying to get my employer IT to deal with this, is there a way to start up Zotero without installing this helper? I cannot determine what the helper actually is.

(I have given Zotero full disk access in my MacOS System Settings.)
https://s3.amazonaws.com/zotero.org/images/forums/u1736478/7g9tkeuqzsglvlsd8f7o.png
  • dstillman Zotero Team
    There's no actual helper. It's just trying to apply an update. What happens if you click Cancel?
  • kdonovan11
    Same outcome: Zotero bounces in the Mac dock for a minute or two ("Application not responding") and then quits out before ever opening.
  • dstillman Zotero Team
    edited 8 days ago
    Can you open Terminal via Spotlight and run the following commands?

    1. Zip up the update logs and copy them to your Desktop:

    cd ~/Library/Caches/Zotero/updates/Applications/Zotero && zip -r ~/Desktop/zotero-update-logs.zip updates

    2. Email ~/Desktop/zotero-update-logs.zip to support@zotero.org with a link to this forum thread.

    3. Delete the updates folder so Zotero will open again (for the moment):

    rm -rf ~/Library/Caches/Zotero/updates/Applications/Zotero/updates

    (Copy/paste in full and then press Return. Don't try to retype these.)
  • kdonovan11
    Oddly enough, it worked this time.

    I have 9.0.3.

    Should I do an update now?
  • dstillman Zotero Team
    That’s the latest version.
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