dumbnote-page

Troubleshooting

This guide helps you resolve common issues with DumbNote. Find your problem below and follow the steps to fix it.

Quick Fixes

Try These First

  1. Restart DumbNote - Solves 50% of issues
  2. Clear Cache - File → Clear Cache
  3. Check for Updates - File → Check for Updates
  4. Reload Window - Cmd/Ctrl+R

Startup Issues

DumbNote Won’t Start

Black/white screen:

  1. Wait 10-15 seconds (initial load)
  2. Force quit and restart
  3. Delete cache folder:
    • macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/DumbNote
    • Windows: %APPDATA%/DumbNote
    • Linux: ~/.config/DumbNote
  4. Reinstall if needed

Crashes immediately:

  1. Check system requirements
  2. Update graphics drivers
  3. Run in safe mode: 
    dumbnote --safe-mode
  4. Check error logs

Slow Startup

Takes over 30 seconds:

  1. Large note collection (>5000 files)
  2. Network drive for notes
  3. Antivirus scanning
  4. Corrupted search index

Fix:

  1. Clear cache to rebuild index
  2. Move notes to local drive
  3. Add DumbNote to antivirus exceptions
  4. Archive old notes

Editor Issues

Cursor Problems

Cursor invisible/jumping:

  1. Click in editor to focus
  2. Press Escape to reset
  3. Toggle preview mode and back
  4. Check for stuck modifier keys

Multi-cursor stuck:

  1. Press Escape
  2. Click anywhere
  3. Restart if persists

Syntax Highlighting

Not working:

  1. Check file has .md extension
  2. Verify code block language tag
  3. Close unclosed code blocks
  4. Clear editor cache

Wrong colors:

  1. Check theme settings
  2. Try different theme
  3. Reset to default theme
  4. Clear theme cache

Performance Problems

Laggy typing:

  1. Check document size (>10MB)
  2. Disable spellcheck temporarily
  3. Close other applications
  4. Reduce image count

Freezing/hanging:

  1. Wait 30 seconds
  2. Check CPU usage
  3. Force reload (Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+R)
  4. Disable extensions

File Issues

Files Not Appearing

In sidebar:

  1. Check correct folder
  2. Verify .md extension
  3. Refresh with F5
  4. Check file permissions

After creating:

  1. Check save location
  2. Look in recent files
  3. Search by content
  4. Check auto-rename

Can’t Save Files

Permission denied:

  1. Check folder permissions
  2. Ensure not read-only
  3. Check disk space
  4. Try different location

File in use:

  1. Close in other apps
  2. Check cloud sync
  3. Restart DumbNote
  4. Copy content to new file

Lost Files

Can’t find note:

  1. Use search (Cmd/Ctrl+F)
  2. Check all folders
  3. Look in trash/recycle bin
  4. Check recent documents

Accidentally deleted:

  1. Check system trash
  2. Use Git history (if synced)
  3. Check backups
  4. Use file recovery tools

Search Problems

Search Not Working

No results:

  1. Check spelling
  2. Try partial terms
  3. Clear and rebuild index
  4. Verify files exist

Wrong results:

  1. Update search index
  2. Check search syntax
  3. Clear cache
  4. Report bug

Index Issues

Rebuilding index:

  1. File → Clear Cache
  2. Wait for reindex
  3. Check progress in status
  4. Restart after complete

Corrupted index:

  1. Delete .dumbnote folder
  2. Restart DumbNote
  3. Let it rebuild
  4. Be patient

Sync Issues

GitHub Sync Failures

Authentication error:

  1. Check token validity
  2. Verify repo scope
  3. Generate new token
  4. Re-authenticate

Network errors:

  1. Check internet connection
  2. Try manual sync later
  3. Check GitHub status
  4. Verify firewall settings

Conflicts:

  1. Pull before push
  2. GitHub version wins
  3. Check commit history
  4. Manual resolution needed

Sync Not Working

Nothing happens:

  1. Check sync enabled
  2. Verify authentication
  3. Look for error messages
  4. Check repository exists

Partial sync:

  1. Check file sizes (<100MB)
  2. Verify file types
  3. Check .gitignore
  4. Manual git commands

Display Issues

Theme Problems

Theme not applying:

  1. Restart DumbNote
  2. Check theme mode
  3. Clear theme cache
  4. Reset to default

Custom theme lost:

  1. Check settings file
  2. Look for backup
  3. Re-import if exported
  4. Recreate theme

Preview Issues

Not rendering:

  1. Check markdown syntax
  2. Toggle preview off/on
  3. Clear preview cache
  4. Check for errors

Wrong styling:

  1. Check preview theme
  2. Reset preview settings
  3. Clear cache
  4. Update DumbNote

Window Problems

Can’t resize:

  1. Check window controls
  2. Reset window position
  3. Check display settings
  4. Restart app

Multi-monitor issues:

  1. Check display arrangement
  2. Reset window positions
  3. Update graphics drivers
  4. Use single monitor

Attachment Issues

Images Not Showing

Broken images:

  1. Check file exists
  2. Verify path correct
  3. Check file permissions
  4. Re-add image

Wrong location:

  1. Check attachments folder
  2. Fix relative paths
  3. Use forward slashes
  4. Move to correct location

Large Files

Can’t attach:

  1. Check 1GB limit
  2. Compress first
  3. Link instead
  4. Use external storage

Slow performance:

  1. Optimize images
  2. Reduce resolution
  3. Use thumbnails
  4. Archive old attachments

Platform-Specific

macOS Issues

“Can’t be opened”:

  1. Right-click → Open
  2. System Preferences → Security
  3. Allow DumbNote
  4. Disable Gatekeeper temporarily

Permissions:

  1. Grant file access
  2. Check Privacy settings
  3. Reset permissions
  4. Reinstall if needed

Windows Issues

Defender blocking:

  1. Add exception
  2. Whitelist DumbNote
  3. Check quarantine
  4. Disable temporarily

Missing DLLs:

  1. Install Visual C++
  2. Update Windows
  3. Reinstall DumbNote
  4. Check system files

Linux Issues

Dependencies missing:

# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install libgtk-3-0 libnotify4 libxss1

# Fedora
sudo dnf install gtk3 libnotify libXScrnSaver

AppImage not running:

chmod +x DumbNote.AppImage
./DumbNote.AppImage --no-sandbox

Data Recovery

Backup Restoration

From export:

  1. Locate backup ZIP
  2. Extract to new folder
  3. Import notes
  4. Verify attachments

From cloud:

  1. Check cloud provider
  2. Restore previous version
  3. Download to local
  4. Open in DumbNote

Emergency Recovery

Corrupted files:

  1. Open in text editor
  2. Copy content
  3. Create new note
  4. Paste content

Database errors:

  1. Export what you can
  2. Clear all cache
  3. Reinstall DumbNote
  4. Import backup

Error Messages

Common Errors

“File not found”:

“Access denied”:

“Out of memory”:

Reporting Bugs

Information to include:

  1. DumbNote version
  2. Operating system
  3. Steps to reproduce
  4. Error messages
  5. Screenshots

Where to report:

Maintenance

Regular Maintenance

Weekly:

  1. Clear cache if slow
  2. Archive old notes
  3. Backup important files
  4. Check for updates

Monthly:

  1. Clean attachments
  2. Optimize database
  3. Review error logs
  4. Update system

Performance Optimization

Speed up DumbNote:

  1. Limit note count
  2. Optimize images
  3. Disable unused features
  4. Upgrade hardware

Reduce memory:

  1. Close unused windows
  2. Clear cache regularly
  3. Archive large files
  4. Restart periodically

Getting Help

Self-Help Resources

  1. User Guide - This documentation
  2. GitHub Wiki - Technical details
  3. YouTube - Video tutorials
  4. Blog - Tips and updates

Community Support

  1. Discord - Real-time chat
  2. Reddit - r/DumbNote
  3. GitHub - Issues/discussions
  4. Twitter - @DumbNoteApp

Direct Support

  1. Email - support@dumbnote.app
  2. GitHub Issues - Bug reports
  3. Feature Requests - GitHub
  4. Security Issues - security@dumbnote.app

Still having issues? Check our FAQ or contact support →