Calibre doesn't show books anymore

[BullBates]

Hello

I've been using Calibre for a year now but recently it can't find any books in my library.

The library is set up in the correct location with roughly 100 books with edited meta data that I've previously entered into calibre such as authors, tags etc.

However, Calibre doesn't recognise any books in the library and says I have [0 books].


Any ideas how to solve this?

Thanks

[BetterRed]

@BullBates - does the library folder have a metadata.db file in it?

BR

[BullBates]

Yes that file is in the folder

[BetterRed]

@BullBates - somehow calibre has lost 'sight' of that folder, so:

1. Click the Library Icon
2. Select Switch/create library;
3. Set the Use the previously existing library at the new location radio button.
4. In the New location field browse to the folder with metadata.db file
5. Click OK

That should fix it.

BR

[BullBates]

Hi

I tried that but i get an error that 'Same as current' i.e. the folder is already my library

thanks

[BetterRed]

@BullBates - weird, maybe the database is empty. How big is metadata.db - an empty database is 339,968 bytes, or 332KB

Try this:- close calibre, rename the folder, start calibre, then repeat my previous post.

Otherwise create a 'new' library and use the Add Books from directories, one book per directory option to add the books in that 'problem' library to the 'new' library.

BR

[BullBates]

Hi

Changed name but still no luck. The metadata.db file is 348KB. I should have around 100-150 books all with there own tags etc. Does this sound the right size?

Is there an easy way to reload all the books into calibre? If I drag and drop the pdf none of the books data gets copied (title, authors, release date, tags).

Thanks

[BullBates]

Hi,

I managed to find an old version of metadata.bd from google drive and using that version has solved the problem so i guess the file was corrupted?

Thanks for your help

[theducks]

Google drive is incompatible and will damage the linkages used by Calibre.
(there is a FAQ on this someplace)

The only SAFE way is ZIP up the entire Library and store just that so GD can't do its versioning thing with the folder/file names inside the Library

[Divingduck]

In addition, run via library maintenance menu a rebuild of the library. An old out of sync metadata.db is the start point of all future mess you will experience.