Solving Common Problems in Calibre Companion

[jvorzimmer]

For those persevering with CC, I thought I should put together a list of solutions to common problems that come up in the app.

1) Cannot connect "To Content Server".

The obvious first thing to check is Calibre server. Know the IP it's running on and the port. In the CC "Connecting to calibre" settings, set the wireless device connection to Automatic by clearing everything, then in the Content server connection, check the box "Use same IP as wireless connections". Now both should appear as "Automatic". As long as the the designated port, usually 80, is open, you should be able to connect automatically. Also, if you have a dual-band modem, make sure you're device is on the same band as Calibre, e.g., "5G".

If all that fails, go to the CC settings > Other and click on "Delete Passwords" and you will be prompted, when connecting to the Content Server, to reenter your username and password. This seems to work when all else fails.

2) Cannot connect "as Wireless Device".

This can be the most frustrating problem. This obvious again is to check the Calibre settings for the Wireless Device connection. Note the port, usually 9090, and the IP, but see above for Content Server issues on setting both to "Automatic". Toggle the "wireless device connection" on and off in Calibre under the "Connect/Share" menu.

If everything looks good and you're still have problems, check the info on deleting passwords above. If the problem persists, delete the settings back to the defaults for CC. To do this, first do a complete backup of CC by going to Settings > Backup and Restore > Backup CC settings & database. Then go to Android Apps Settings and click on Calibre Companion and "Storage" and click on "CLEAR CACHE" and then "CLEAR DATA". This will restore the defaults. Next restore the CC book database from the backup, leaving just "Restore CC settings" unchecked. Next, in the "Formats and folders" settings tap on the line showing the location of the books folder. On the next screen, confirm that it shows the contents of the correct book folder and click the button on the bottom that reads, "USE THIS FOLDER". You'll be prompted to Allow Calibre Companion to access files in [Folder]" Click "Allow" which will take you back to the Book format locations dialogue. Confirm that Default folder location is correct and click "OK" You'll be prompted once again, "Are you sure?" Click okay and you should see the little droid rebuilding your library. It might take some time to rebuild library, especially if you have tens of thousands of books. This is normal. Once CC confirms that library has been successfully moved the problem should be solved.

3) Cannot open books. "Book file not found" error.

This usually results from having moved a library from one device to another, especially if the books are stored on an external sd card. Even if you're using the same sd card on a different device, you still have to reselect the book location in CC and formats, if necessary. See the instructions under 2) for backing up and restoring the CC settings above.

4) Google prevents Calibre Companion from being sideloaded.

Since CC is no longer available in the Play Store, it is no longer a trusted app and Android prevents it from being installed. To install it, go to your settings in Google Play on that device and turn off "Play Protect". Then install from an application that you've given the privilege of installing applications to. Then follow the instructions for reselecting the books folder above.

Once CC has been installed you can then turn "Play Protect" back on. It will rescan all your apps, including CC and tell you they're safe. But it's important that you turn "Play Protect" off before connecting CC wirelessly to Calibre. If you forget, CC won't connect and will probably crash. You'll have to follow the steps above for resetting the storage permissions under item 2) above.

I have tested and retested the above steps by breaking CC's permissions and fixing them numerous times on a database that's grown to over 23,000 books which I have moved at least a dozen times over 10 years.

One more suggestion after fixing any of the above storage issues is to make sure that you check your database for missing books ("Books with missing files" from the menu) and redownload them if necessary.

Hope this helps,
Jeff