Troubleshoot
Fixes for the problems people hit most, from a first launch that is blocked to settings that seem gone. Start with the one that matches what you see.
Where to get help
Section titled “Where to get help”Stuck, or found a bug? Pick whichever is easier for you.
- GitHub Issues. The quickest way is from inside the app: click Report a bug in the status bar. It opens an issue with your platform, versions and settings already filled in. Just add what you did, what you expected, and what happened instead.
- r/CalibreZen. No GitHub account needed. Ask a question, share an idea, or describe a problem in your own words. The status bar has an Ask on Reddit entry that takes you there.
The fixes below cover the problems people hit most, so you may find your answer right here.
Windows says the file is not safe
Section titled “Windows says the file is not safe”The Windows files are not code-signed yet. SmartScreen shows a warning. Click More info, then Run anyway. Check the file’s checksum on the release page if you want to be sure it is ours.
macOS says the app is damaged or cannot be opened
Section titled “macOS says the app is damaged or cannot be opened”Download the disk image again with your browser. Do not unzip or copy the app through another tool first. The app is signed and notarized, so a fresh copy opens without a warning.
On Linux the app does not start
Section titled “On Linux the app does not start”If calibre or bin/calibre is missing from the calibre-zen folder, use the
install command on Getting around again. Move
the old folder aside first. The installer checks the download and the main
launchers before it says the app is ready.
If the app reports a missing graphics library, use the command for your distro
under Linux graphics libraries.
Run ./calibre-zen/calibre-zen from a terminal to see the error message.
Nothing happens when I open the app
Section titled “Nothing happens when I open the app”Only one copy of calibre-zen runs at a time. If one is already open, a second launch hands off to it and quits. Look for calibre-zen in your taskbar or Dock.
I opened my library and my settings are gone
Section titled “I opened my library and my settings are gone”Settings are per app. calibre-zen does not read calibre’s settings, so your toolbar, columns and preferences start from its defaults. Your library, books and metadata are not touched.
calibre and calibre-zen both show my library
Section titled “calibre and calibre-zen both show my library”That is fine. Both read the same library folder. Open it in one app at a time to avoid conflicts.
Is the problem calibre’s or calibre-zen’s?
Section titled “Is the problem calibre’s or calibre-zen’s?”Turn off calibre-zen’s parts one at a time from the menu under the app’s icon, then restart. If the problem stays with everything off, it is calibre’s. The
calibre manual and forums cover it. If it goes away, it is ours. Please report it.
Start fresh
Section titled “Start fresh”Quit calibre-zen. Rename or delete its settings folder, then start it again. Your library is not in this folder.
- Windows:
%APPDATA%\calibre-zen - macOS:
~/Library/Preferences/calibre-zen - Linux:
~/.config/calibre-zen