Troubleshooting

Common issues and solutions for JodNote.

Installation Issues

Installer Won't Run

Problem: Double-clicking installer does nothing or shows an error.

Solutions:

1. Run as Administrator

   • Right-click installer
   • Select "Run as administrator"

2. Windows SmartScreen Warning

   • Click "More info"
   • Click "Run anyway"
   • This appears because the app isn't code-signed yet

3. Antivirus Blocking

   • Temporarily disable antivirus
   • Install JodNote
   • Re-enable antivirus
   • Add JodNote to whitelist if needed

Installation Fails

Problem: Installer starts but fails midway.

Solutions:

1. Check disk space - Need at least 50MB free
2. Close running instances - End any JodNote processes
3. Check permissions - Install to a writable location
4. Reinstall - Uninstall completely, then reinstall

Hotkey Issues

Global Hotkey Not Working

Problem: Pressing Ctrl+Alt+J doesn't open JodNote.

Solutions:

1. Check JodNote is Running

   • Look for tray icon
   • Start JodNote if not running

2. Hotkey Conflict

   • Another app may be using the same hotkey
   • Change hotkey in Settings → Keyboard
   • Try alternatives: Ctrl+Alt+N, Win+J

3. Restart JodNote

   • Right-click tray icon → Quit
   • Start JodNote again

4. Run as Administrator

   • Some apps block hotkeys unless JodNote has admin rights
   • Try running as administrator

Changed Hotkey, Still Not Working

Problem: Changed hotkey in settings but it doesn't work.

Solutions:

1. Restart JodNote - Changes require restart
2. Check for conflicts - New hotkey may also be in use
3. Use simple combination - Stick to Ctrl/Alt/Shift + letter
4. Avoid system hotkeys - Don't use Win+L, Alt+F4, etc.

Window Issues

Can't Find JodNote Window

Problem: JodNote is running but window doesn't appear.

Solutions:

1. Check Taskbar - May be minimized
2. Press Hotkey - Ctrl+Alt+J to show
3. Right-click Tray Icon - Select "Show"
4. Window Off-Screen - Reset window position in settings

Window Always on Top

Problem: JodNote window stays above all other windows.

Explanation: This is by design for the quick input window.

Solutions:

• Quick input window is meant to be always-on-top
• Use main window (Ctrl+Shift+N) for normal window behavior
• Close quick input with Escape when done

System Tray Icon Missing

Problem: Can't find JodNote icon in system tray.

Solutions:

1. Check Hidden Icons

   • Click up arrow (^) in system tray
   • JodNote may be in overflow area

2. Customize Tray

   • Right-click taskbar
   • Select "Taskbar settings"
   • Choose which icons appear
   • Enable JodNote

3. Restart JodNote

   • May fix icon display issues

Database Issues

"Database Locked" Error

Problem: Error message about database being locked.

Solutions:

1. Close All Instances

   • Open Task Manager
   • End all JodNote processes
   • Restart JodNote

2. Check for Backups Running

   • If backing up database file, wait for completion
   • Close backup applications accessing the database

3. Restart Computer

   • Nuclear option, but usually works

Notes Not Saving

Problem: Type notes but they don't appear in search.

Solutions:

1. Check Database Location

   • Verify database file exists
   • Location: %APPDATA%\com.jodnote.app\jodnote.db

2. File Permissions

   • Ensure JodNote can write to AppData
   • Check folder isn't read-only

3. Disk Space

   • Ensure drive has free space

4. Database Corruption

   • Backup database file
   • Try "Repair Database" in settings
   • Restore from backup if needed

Can't Find Old Notes

Problem: Previously saved notes are missing.

Solutions:

1. Check Search Query

   • Try searching for specific keywords
   • Clear search and view all notes

2. Database Path Changed

   • Check Settings → Data Management
   • Verify correct database is loaded

3. Check Backups

   • Restore from backup if available

Performance Issues

Slow Startup

Problem: JodNote takes several seconds to start.

Solutions:

1. Antivirus Scanning

   • Add JodNote to antivirus exclusions

2. Database Size

   • Large databases (>10,000 notes) may slow startup
   • Consider archiving old notes

3. Disk Performance

   • Check if hard drive is healthy
   • Consider moving database to SSD

Search is Slow

Problem: Searching takes time to show results.

Solutions:

1. Database Optimization

   • Settings → Data Management → Optimize Database

2. Reduce Search Scope

   • Use more specific search terms
   • Filter by category or type

3. Archive Old Notes

   • Export and archive notes you don't need frequently

High Memory Usage

Problem: JodNote uses a lot of RAM.

Solutions:

1. Restart JodNote - Memory leak (report as bug)
2. Check Note Count - Thousands of notes = more memory
3. Update to Latest Version - Performance improvements

Data Issues

Data Loss

Problem: Notes disappeared.

Solutions:

1. Check Backups

   • Restore from your backups
   • Check %APPDATA%\com.jodnote.app\backups\ if auto-backup enabled

2. Database Recovery

   • Try SQLite recovery tools
   • See Data Management

3. Report Bug

   • If data loss occurred without user action
   • Report on GitHub Issues

Prevention

Always maintain backups! JodNote is local-first, so backups are your responsibility.

Sync Between Computers

Problem: Want same notes on multiple computers.

Explanation: JodNote has no built-in sync (by design).

Solutions:

1. Manual Sync

   • Copy database file between computers
   • Located at: %APPDATA%\com.jodnote.app\jodnote.db

2. Cloud Folder Sync

   • Move database to Dropbox/OneDrive folder
   • Symlink to proper location
   • Warning: May cause conflicts if both computers run simultaneously

3. Export/Import

   • Export on computer A
   • Import on computer B

Update Issues

Update Failed

Problem: Tried to update but it failed.

Solutions:

1. Uninstall and Reinstall

   • Uninstall old version
   • Download latest installer
   • Reinstall

2. Notes Are Preserved

   • Uninstalling doesn't delete database
   • Your notes are safe

Update Not Detected

Problem: Using old version but app says it's current.

Solutions:

1. Check Manually

   • Visit GitHub releases page
   • Compare version numbers

2. Disable Auto-Update

   • May be disabled in settings
   • Enable and check again

Getting Help

Before Asking for Help

1. Check this guide - Solution may be here
2. Search GitHub Issues - Problem may be known
3. Try latest version - Bug may be fixed

Reporting Bugs

Include in your report:

• JodNote version - Check About dialog
• Windows version - e.g., Windows 11 22H2
• Steps to reproduce - How to trigger the bug
• Expected vs actual - What should happen vs what happens
• Screenshots - If applicable
• Logs - Check %APPDATA%\com.jodnote.app\logs\

Report on GitHub: github.com/techformist/jodnote/issues

Getting Support

• GitHub Issues - For bugs and feature requests
• GitHub Discussions - For questions and general discussion
• Documentation - Check all docs pages

No Guaranteed Support

JodNote is provided as-is with no support obligations. Community support only.

Emergency Recovery

Nuclear Options

If all else fails:

1. Backup Database

   Copy-Item "$env:APPDATA\com.jodnote.app\jodnote.db" "C:\Backup\jodnote-backup.db"

2. Uninstall Completely

   • Uninstall via Windows Settings
   • Delete %APPDATA%\com.jodnote.app\

3. Reinstall Fresh

   • Download latest installer
   • Install JodNote

4. Restore Database

   • Copy backup back to %APPDATA%\com.jodnote.app\jodnote.db

Learn More

• GitHub Issues
• GitHub Discussions

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Still stuck? Ask on GitHub Discussions.