Book cover no longer generated on import

ice70 · Yesterday, 07:24 AM

I am running calibre 9.6 on windows 11, but this is something that has happened on the last few updates - I don't think it is a problem with the software, more something I have unintentionally done.

When I add a book to calibre, it used to create a thumbnail from the book file [mainly pdf and epub], but now it no longer does - I just a default blue background with a frame and no text.

This started after I altered the regex from some book imports [preferences => import/export -> adding books] - but I do not see anything in this preference setting to might account for the book cover no longer working.

I can set the cover in the book's edit metadata -> individual using the top right icon next to the file format. I can also set it via the download metadata.

Can anyone point me in the right direction on how to fix this?

It is purely for book covers in calibre - not when transferring books to a kindle which seems to be most of the search results.

BetterRed · Yesterday, 05:30 PM

Works for me in calibre 9.6 on Windows 10.

First thing I'd try is to restore the regex to what it was - not that it should effect the extraction of a cover.

FWIW: I use this regex — (?P<author>[^_]+) - (?P<title>.+) — I think it's one of the defaults that came with calibre.

How do you do the add - i.e. which one of these

Click image for larger version

Name: calibre =- add actions.jpg
Views: 11
Size: 52.6 KB
ID: 222146

Or some other method, such as Windows->File explorer->Send to, which is what I use.

BR

theducks · Yesterday, 08:27 PM

Is the Read Metadata from Contents Ticked? (

does not really make sense if you are using the filename template)

I wonder if Calibre WAS grabbing covers from the internet. IIRC that happened when I used Add from ISBN over a decade

ago

ice70 · Today, 03:43 AM

Hi,
thank you for your replies.

> Works for me in calibre 9.6 on Windows 10.
yes, I get the feeling I have done something and not realised what...

> First thing I'd try is to restore the regex to what it was
I tried using the regex you supplied and a range of others I have in my dropdown options none of which made any difference to the book cover creation.

> How do you do the add
From windows explorer, drag onto the main calibre window

> Is the Read Metadata from Contents Ticked
No, BUT, when I do check this, the book thumbnail is generated, but then the title / author is not right

If I click on restore defaults, the "Read Metadata from Contents" is enabled - does this mean that I was using this until I changed the regex? If this is the case, is it possible to read the metadate for the book cover then use the regex for everything else?

thank you.

Yesterday, 07:24 AM	#1
ice70 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2026 Device: kindle	Book cover no longer generated on import I am running calibre 9.6 on windows 11, but this is something that has happened on the last few updates - I don't think it is a problem with the software, more something I have unintentionally done. When I add a book to calibre, it used to create a thumbnail from the book file [mainly pdf and epub], but now it no longer does - I just a default blue background with a frame and no text. This started after I altered the regex from some book imports [preferences => import/export -> adding books] - but I do not see anything in this preference setting to might account for the book cover no longer working. I can set the cover in the book's edit metadata -> individual using the top right icon next to the file format. I can also set it via the download metadata. Can anyone point me in the right direction on how to fix this? It is purely for book covers in calibre - not when transferring books to a kindle which seems to be most of the search results.

Yesterday, 05:30 PM	#2
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 22,544 Karma: 32600658 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Works for me in calibre 9.6 on Windows 10. First thing I'd try is to restore the regex to what it was - not that it should effect the extraction of a cover. FWIW: I use this regex — (?P<author>[^_]+) - (?P<title>.+) — I think it's one of the defaults that came with calibre. How do you do the add - i.e. which one of these Or some other method, such as Windows->File explorer->Send to, which is what I use. BR Last edited by BetterRed; Yesterday at 05:32 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Default cover generated	enidad2	Calibre	2	06-17-2023 12:41 PM
Import Author And Title From Filename & Import Other Tags And Cover From File	DazJWood	Library Management	25	10-06-2021 10:18 AM
Generated Cover Error	dvd8n	Calibre	3	07-16-2013 01:01 PM
Custom generated book 'cover'	LGN	Calibre	0	11-14-2010 12:32 PM
How do I change the generated cover?	DarkAbsynthe	Calibre	2	10-29-2010 10:22 PM

Yesterday, 08:27 PM	#3
theducks Well trained by Cats Posts: 31,639 Karma: 64144480 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Central Coast of California Device: Kobo Libra2,Kobo Aura2v1, K4NT(Fixed: New Bat.), Galaxy Tab A	Is the Read Metadata from Contents Ticked? ( does not really make sense if you are using the filename template) I wonder if Calibre WAS grabbing covers from the internet. IIRC that happened when I used Add from ISBN over a decade ago

Today, 03:43 AM	#4
ice70 Junior Member Posts: 2 Karma: 10 Join Date: Mar 2026 Device: kindle	Hi, thank you for your replies. > Works for me in calibre 9.6 on Windows 10. yes, I get the feeling I have done something and not realised what... > First thing I'd try is to restore the regex to what it was I tried using the regex you supplied and a range of others I have in my dropdown options none of which made any difference to the book cover creation. > How do you do the add From windows explorer, drag onto the main calibre window > Is the Read Metadata from Contents Ticked No, BUT, when I do check this, the book thumbnail is generated, but then the title / author is not right If I click on restore defaults, the "Read Metadata from Contents" is enabled - does this mean that I was using this until I changed the regex? If this is the case, is it possible to read the metadate for the book cover then use the regex for everything else? thank you.

Advert