Zotero cannot communicate message can occur with browser connector, or when citing in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or LibreOffice/OpenOffice.
Try this first:
- Ensure the Zotero desktop app is open on the computer. In our experience this usually solves the communication error for downloading pdfs using the browser connector. If not, please contact us.
If Zotero is already open and you are trying to cite in a Word document:
- Go to Zotero > Tools > Add-ons.
- Disable the Word plugin.
- Close Zotero (cmd + q on Macs).
- Open Zotero and return to the Add-ons menu.
- Enable the Word plugin.
- Close Zotero (cmd + q on Macs), then open Zotero again.
- Close Word (cmd+q on Macs) and open it again