The book file is missing

[jjansen]

Currently any time I try and select a book to read I get the error "The book file is missing!". I checked My Files and the epubs are all in the folder referenced in CC's settings. Nothing has been intentionally changed with CC recently. I can't guarantee that I haven't had some updates that I wasn't aware of. In the past I always attached to Calibre as a Wireless Device. Recently I have used the Content Server a few times. This is probably unrelated but it is the only change that I know of. The metadata for all my books appears to be fine.

I just realized that my version of Android was updated to 6.0.1 recently. I can't say if my CC problem occurred at the same time as that or not. I have about 3,000 books in CC and I have been extremely happy with it over the years. Any thoughts? .......Jackie

[chaley]

That message happens when CC cannot find the book file where CC thinks it should be. That could happen if the book file is indeed gone, or it can happen if Android has decided that CC doesn't have the right permissions to read the book. You didn't mention whether or not the books are on an SD card. If so, then I suspect permissions.

If you send me a CC debug log (see How do I get help? in our FAQ. Please erase the multipie.co.uk address.) then perhaps I can tell you what is happening.

Another thing you can try, especially if the books are on an SD card, is to tell CC again where the book files are stored. Go to Settings / Formats and folders and change the default folder to itself. You do this by tapping on the folder line then using the navigator to select the same folder. See the first part of How do I use an SD card with Android 4.4 (Kitkat) or later? for more information.

If you have the patience to wait a bit, I prefer that you send me the debug log. That way I (hope I) can tell if the problem is on your device or something more global.

[jjansen]

Chaley, if waiting a bit helps then I am all for it. CC has been a great tool that I have recommended to many others. I have sent you the debug log.......Jackie

[chaley]

Thanks for the log.

The problem began on 6 June when your device updated from Android 5 to Android 6. You are indeed using an SD card. You are also using the CC Android private directory on the SD card, which means you have been using this SD card since your device ran Android 4.4 (Kitkat). My guess is that the Android upgrade changed the behavior of the Android private directory, or alternatively changed the path to that directory. I note that you haven't attempted a connect since the upgrade. I strongly suspect that connects won't work either.

Reselecting the same book folder should fix it. The steps are:

1. Make a CC backup. We really want to be able to get back to where we were if something goes wrong. See Can I make a backup of my CC settings and CC's book database? if you haven't made backups before.
2. I assume that you have not changed the folder setting for any specific extensions. If this assumption is wrong then you will need to do the selection process (steps below) for each changed folder.
3. Go to CC's Settings / Formats and folders. Tap the top line marked "Default folder". Select "Choose Folder". The Android folder chooser will open.
4. Ensure you are looking at the SD card by tapping the three lines on the left to open the drawer then selecting SD card if necessary.
5. Navigate to Android/data/com.multipie.calibreandroid/files
6. Tap the button on the bottom that should say SELECT "files".
7. CC should ask you "Are you sure"? The answer is OK.

At this point CC will see if it needs to move your books from the old to the new folder. One of two things can happen, and I am not sure which it will be. The first: CC will say that the source and destination folders are the same. The second: CC will report book-by-book that the books could not be moved because the source wasn't there. It think that this second is what will happen. Regardless of whether the first or second happens, CC should now be able to find the books. If it cannot, come back here before changing anything more.

If CC can now find the books then you might now have another annoyance to deal with. Because you have in excess of 3,500 books in CC's library you might start to see the speed problems described in this FAQ answer and in this thread. If so, and if things are slower than you can tolerate, you might want to change to the third file template described in the FAQ. If you do then you will need to resend your books. You can do the resend in batches, for example sending them in groups defined by the first letter of the title or the author.