Series not showing up and KoboUtilities greyed out

byrhias · 03-01-2025, 03:45 AM

Hi! I just received my Kobo ereader a few days ago and I'm completely new to all this so apologies if I sound completely clueless. I've been researching for a solution for the past two nights but I can't seem to figure out where I went wrong.

I downloaded KoboUtilities because it's supposed to help me update the metadata but every time I click the KoboUtilities button in the toolbar, it's completely greyed out and I can't update the metadata on the device or do anything. Screenshot attached.

Is there any way to get KoboUtilities to work OR an alternative way to get my book series to show up in my Kobo?

Background Info:
I'm using an older Mac that runs on BigSur which means I can only use calibre v6.29.

Karellen · 03-01-2025, 03:58 AM

What you see in your screenshot is normal when no ereader is connected to your PC and Calibre. Connect an ereader, the menu options will become enabled.

From that menu, click on "Driver" and then "Customize current Driver".
In one of those tabs you can then enable Update metadata on device. Then whenever you connect your ereader it will automatically update.

Also you should be aware that in an upcoming release, the KoboUtilities plugin will be deprecated and that functionality will be part of Calibre core.

Sirtel · 03-01-2025, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karellen

Also you should be aware that in an upcoming release, the KoboUtilities plugin will be deprecated and that functionality will be part of Calibre core.

AFAIK Kobo Utilities won't be deprecated, KoboTouch Extended and the kepub metadata plugins will be.

Karellen · 03-01-2025, 04:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

AFAIK Kobo Utilities won't be deprecated, KoboTouch Extended and the kepub metadata plugins will be.

Oh ok, my mistake. Thanks

byrhias · 03-01-2025, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karellen

What you see in your screenshot is normal when no ereader is connected to your PC and Calibre. Connect an ereader, the menu options will become enabled.

From that menu, click on "Driver" and then "Customize current Driver".
In one of those tabs you can then enable Update metadata on device. Then whenever you connect your ereader it will automatically update.

Also you should be aware that in an upcoming release, the KoboUtilities plugin will be deprecated and that functionality will be part of Calibre core.

It's still greyed out even when I connect the device. Even worse, when I click on the KoboUtilities button itself, it says "No Device Connected".

I even installed NickelSeries in hopes that it would help but nothing has worked.

Sirtel · 03-01-2025, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byrhias

It's still greyed out even when I connect the device. Even worse, when I click on the KoboUtilities button itself, it says "No Device Connected".

I even installed NickelSeries in hopes that it would help but nothing has worked.

Does calibre itself see your device? If it's one of the newer Kobos, then calibre 6.29 doesn't support it and you need a newer version.

byrhias · 03-01-2025, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

Does calibre itself see your device? If it's one of the newer Kobos, then calibre 6.29 doesn't support it and you need a newer version.

No, it doesn't automatically connect. I have to use the Connect/Share button and then connect it to the KoboReader drive for it to register.

Unfortunately, I don't have a choice. I can't update my Mac past BigSur which means I'm stuck. So there's no other solution around it?

Sirtel · 03-01-2025, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byrhias

No, it doesn't automatically connect. I have to use the Connect/Share button and then connect it to the KoboReader drive for it to register.

Unfortunately, I don't have a choice. I can't update my Mac past BigSur which means I'm stuck. So there's no other solution around it?

For the Kobo plugins to work, probably not. Kobo driver, including series support, presumably wouldn't work either, because calibre sees your device as a connected folder, not as a Kobo reader.

byrhias · 03-01-2025, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

For the Kobo plugins to work, probably not. Kobo driver, including series support, presumably wouldn't work either, because calibre sees your device as a connected folder, not as a Kobo reader.

Ooh that makes sense. I guess I'll have to live with whatever my version of Calibre is able to do for the time being. Thank you so much for your help! Really appreciate it!

Sirtel · 03-01-2025, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byrhias

Ooh that makes sense. I guess I'll have to live with whatever my version of Calibre is able to do for the time being. Thank you so much for your help! Really appreciate it!

I'm sorry I couldn't really help. Unfortunately support for new devices is always added to the current version, not to all the older ones.

byrhias · 03-01-2025, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I'm sorry I couldn't really help. Unfortunately support for new devices is always added to the current version, not to all the older ones.

No, you absolutely did help! At least I can move on and enjoy my ereader as it is instead of spending the next few days cracking my head over something that can't be fixed unless I upgrade my whole computer.

JSWolf · 03-01-2025, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by byrhias

No, you absolutely did help! At least I can move on and enjoy my ereader as it is instead of spending the next few days cracking my head over something that can't be fixed unless I upgrade my whole computer.

You could install Sonoma on your MAC and run a later calibre that way.

You can install it as your primary OS or you can install it to a USB stick and boot every time you want to run calibre.

byrhias · 03-01-2025, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

You could install Sonoma on your MAC and run a later calibre that way.

You can install it as your primary OS or you can install it to a USB stick and boot every time you want to run calibre.

OMG thank you for this! I had no idea this was even possible, definitely going to give it a try tonight.

03-01-2025, 03:45 AM	#1
byrhias Enthusiast Posts: 25 Karma: 20010 Join Date: Mar 2025 Device: Kobo Clara Color	Series not showing up and KoboUtilities greyed out Hi! I just received my Kobo ereader a few days ago and I'm completely new to all this so apologies if I sound completely clueless. I've been researching for a solution for the past two nights but I can't seem to figure out where I went wrong. I downloaded KoboUtilities because it's supposed to help me update the metadata but every time I click the KoboUtilities button in the toolbar, it's completely greyed out and I can't update the metadata on the device or do anything. Screenshot attached. Is there any way to get KoboUtilities to work OR an alternative way to get my book series to show up in my Kobo? Background Info: I'm using an older Mac that runs on BigSur which means I can only use calibre v6.29. Attached Thumbnails

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03-01-2025, 03:58 AM	#2
Karellen Wizard Posts: 1,611 Karma: 9500498 Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2	What you see in your screenshot is normal when no ereader is connected to your PC and Calibre. Connect an ereader, the menu options will become enabled. From that menu, click on "Driver" and then "Customize current Driver". In one of those tabs you can then enable Update metadata on device. Then whenever you connect your ereader it will automatically update. Also you should be aware that in an upcoming release, the KoboUtilities plugin will be deprecated and that functionality will be part of Calibre core.