Subject: Media Files Not Uploading to AnkiWeb - Need Help

I’m experiencing an issue with syncing my media files to AnkiWeb and could really use some help. Here are the details:

Symptoms:
• Media files, mainly MP3s, will not upload to AnkiWeb when I sync.
• When I sync, I receive the message: “Please use the Check Database function, then sync again. If problems persist, please force a one-way sync in the preference screen.”
• This issue started a couple of years ago. At the time, I thought the error was due to not upgrading the software.
• On Ankiweb, the MP3s show show on the card, but they are “greyed out” and not active.
• Most of these file names are written in the Thai language

What I’ve Tried (but didn’t work):
• Checked the Database function. It was okay.
• Forced a one-way sync, but received the same error message as above.
• Updated the software to Version 24.06.3 (d678e393)
• Removed all add-ons. After upgrading, Anki gave a message that they didn’t work.
• Removed old decks that I downloaded from Anki.
• Removed old card types that came with the downloaded decks.
• Checked the Database function again. It was okay.
• Forced a one-way sync again, but received the same error message as above.
• Tried to upload a file with the name written in English, didn’t work

Despite trying all these steps, the problem persists. Any advice or solutions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Jason

Since the media files are not stored in your database – this sounds like it is 2 separate issues.

As far as the media –

  1. Have you run Tools > Check Media?
  1. What does “didn’t work” mean here? If all you did was rename the file, it would no longer match the filename on your note, so that wouldn’t help.
  1. How does the mp3 “show” on AnkiWeb? Is it a media player bar? It being grayed out doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not there. It could be a different issue.

  2. Do you sync your collection to any other devices?

Hi DD,

Thank-you for your reply.

  1. Yes, I’ve run Tools > Check Media. It is working properly as far as I can tell and I have been using it regularly.

  2. “didn’t work” means that the MP3 file failed to upload to AnkiWeb when I synced.

  3. Yes, the media player bar is greyed out.

  4. No, I do not sync to other devices.

Regards
Jason

  1. But how are you able to determine that it “failed to upload”? Instead of telling us the conclusion you’ve come to, tell us what steps you’re taking, and what you’re seeing instead of what you expect.

  2. It sounds like you’re concluding that because the media player bar is grayed out when you study a card, the file hasn’t been uploaded. But there are other reasons you might not be able to play the audio – for instance, issues with the design of your cards.

  1. Which way did you force the sync – upload your local collection to AnkiWeb, or download your AnkiWeb collection?

Please log out from the syncing preferences screen, then sync again, which will force media to be re-scanned. Does that stop the error from appearing?

Hi DD

Yes, I’m assuming it failed to upload, I don’t know for sure… There was no medial sync log, there was the error message that I mentioned in the OP and sounds are not playing on cards.

These are the steps I’m taking and what I’m seeing:

  1. Press the Sync button. I see the message “Please use the Check Database function, then sync again. If problems persist, please force a one-way sync in the preference window.”

  2. Tools > Check Database > yellow window in the corner "Database rebuilt and optimized.

  3. Press the Sync button “Please use the Check Database function, then sync again. If problems persist, please force a one-way sync in the preference window.”

  4. Tools > Preferences > Syncing > select box “On next sync, force changes in one direction”. > close

  5. Press the Sync button. New window pops up that starts with a message “There is a conflict between decks on this device and AnkiWeb…” and two selections and a cancel button. The selections are: “Upload to AnkiWeb” and “Download from AnkiWeb”. Click the “Upload…” button. There is a bar showing upload completion and then the message “Pleaes use the Check Database fuction…”

  6. Go to AnkiWeb. New cards are there and the media bar is there but grey, instead of black. It won’t play sounds.

Regards
Jason

Hi Dae, thanks for your reply. I logged out and logged back in and there WAS something uploaded or downloaded, I’m not sure. The media sync log was active. The the familiar message “Please use the Check Database function…” I then closed the media sync log. I checked the media and there were a bunch of unused MP3 files now. I deleted those MP3s, logged out then back in and forced sync to AnkiWeb. I ran the check media function again and the same unused files are back. These files were from decks/cards that I deleted in the past and just recently.

Regards
Jason

Also, the cards on AnkiWeb is still show the media bard play button in grey, not black, and is not playing the MP3s.

Your Anki appears to be trying to upload a file with a really long name (~270 characters). I’m surprised Anki has not caught that in the ‘check media’. Do you see it in your media folder? Does removing it help?

Hi Dae,

I cannot find a file with a name more than 60 characters long in the \collection.media\ folder. I also checked the \media.trash\ folder and the longest name found there was 106 characters.

Can you give the first 10 characters of this file with the really long file name? I can check Anki program.

Thanks
Jason

I’m afraid the filename in question is not currently logged, so I can’t easily identify it for you. Can you send me your collection.media.db2 file privately?