Make sure to download & install Overdrive Media Console before you download your digital book.
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Troubleshooting OverDrive Download Problems
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This troubleshooting guide will walk you through solutions to the most common download problems. More help is available on the OverDrive Help page.
On this page:
- The file will not open
- Instead of the audio book or video I expected, I downloaded a file with the extension '.odm'. Where is my audio book or video?
- When I download my OverDrive file, I get a screen full of code, but no book.
- Error Message: "Unable to open... File was not found."
- I was prompted to perform a 'Windows Media Player Security Upgrade'. What is this? What should I do?
- I get a message that says the download has been disabled for my eBook. What should I do?
- I got a replacement library card, and now Overdrive won't let me check out my reserve on my old card number or my new card number.
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The file will not open
You probably did not install OverDrive Media Console before downloading the audio book or video file. Download OverDrive Media Console, then download the book again.
Instead of the audio book or video I expected, I downloaded a file with the extension '.odm'. Where is my audio book or video?
You probably did not install OverDrive Media Console before downloading the file. Download OverDrive Media Console, then download the book or video again.
When I download my OverDrive file, I get a screen full of code, but no book.
Other software on your computer, such as Open Office, is causing the OverDrive digital media rights information to open in your web browser instead of in the OverDrive Media Console. To fix this, you should set the .ODM file type to open with OverDrive Media Console. Here's how:
- Open the Control Panel from your computer's Start menu
- Click on Folder Options
- Click on the File Types tab to bring up a list of registered file types
- Scroll down through the list of extensions until you find ODM
- Click to highlight ODM
- Click the 'Change' button
- Select OverDrive Media Console as the program you want to use to open files of this type
Error Message: "Unable to open... File was not found."
This shows up when your temporary Internet files are full. You have to clear these files, then try the download again. Here's how:
If you are using Internet Explorer...
- Launch Internet Explorer.
- Go to Tools > Internet Options.
- The 'Internet Options' dialog box is displayed.
- Click the 'Delete Files' button.
- The 'Delete File' dialog box is displayed.
- Check the 'Delete all offline content' checkbox.
- Click the 'OK' button to confirm the deletion of your temporary Internet files.
- Click the 'OK' button again to close the 'Internet Options' dialog box.
- Attempt to download again.
If you are using Firefox...
- Launch Firefox.
- Go to Tools > Options.
- The 'Options' dialog box is displayed.
- Click the 'Privacy' button.
- From the areas listed, locate 'Cache'. Click the 'Clear' button to the right of 'Cache' to delete your temporary Internet files.
- Click the 'OK' button again to close the 'Options' dialog box.
- Attempt to download again.
If you are using Netscape...
- Go to Edit > Preferences.
- The 'Preferences' dialog box is displayed.
- Under the 'Advanced' category, click on the 'Cache' section.
- Click the 'Clear Disk Cache' button, then click the 'OK' button to confirm the deletion of your temporary Internet files.
- Close the 'Preferences' dialog box.
- Attempt to download again.
I was prompted to perform a 'Windows Media Player Security Upgrade'. What is this? What should I do?
This is a one-time process that must be done before Windows Media Player will allow the audio book to be played. The security update identifies the copy of Windows Media Player with the computer on which the Player is being used.
The update takes just a few moments; follow these instructions to complete this one-time task:
- While connected to the Internet, open OverDrive Media Console.
- Go to Tools > Windows Media Player Security Upgrade. The 'Security Upgrade Required' dialog box will open.
- Click 'OK' in the 'Security Upgrade Required' dialog box. After a few moments, the 'License Acquisition' dialog box will appear.
- At the 'License Acquisition' dialog box, click the 'Play' button. This closes the 'License Acquisition' dialog box, indicating that the security update is complete.
I get a message that says the download has been disabled for my eBook.
OverDrive eBooks can only be downloaded one time per checkout. Once you download an eBook, you should be able to view it on your computer using Adobe Reader:
- Open Adobe Reader
- Click on File -- Digital Editions
- Click on the title of the eBook to view it.
If the download didn't work the first time and you need to try it again, contact the Virtual Library via our "Ask Technical Support" form. Be sure to indicate that you want help with Digital Books.
I got a replacement library card, and now Overdrive won't let me check out my reserve on my old card number or my new card number.
If you have to replace a lost or stolen library card, please contact the library to request the transfer of OverDrive checkouts and reserves to your new card. You only have 48 hours to pick up a reserve in the OverDrive system from the time the email was sent from OverDrive. For faster service, you can call your local library.