Mendeley troubleshooting guides for install, sync, and Cite

1. Install Mendeley Reference Manager on Windows

Use this sequence when you need a clean install of the current Windows build.

1. Step 1 - Download the EXE

   Open the download center, save Mendeley Reference Manager for Windows, and note version 2.148.0.

2. Step 2 - Verify SHA256

   In PowerShell: Get-FileHash .\mendeley-reference-manager-2.148.0-x64.exe -Algorithm SHA256 and compare with the published hash.

3. Step 3 - Run setup

   Double-click the EXE on Windows 10 or 11 (x64). Approve the User Account Control prompt if your policy requires it.

4. Step 4 - Sign in

   Sign in so the library can sync. If you still use legacy Desktop data, sync that library before relying on Reference Manager alone.

2. Sync feels stuck or annotations are missing

Large libraries and weak networks are the usual causes. Try this order:

1. Confirm you are signed into the same account on every device.
2. Watch the sync indicator finish before closing the laptop lid.
3. Open the PDF from the synced library, not a one-off desktop copy outside Mendeley.
4. If only one collection fails, remove and re-add that attachment after a successful sync cycle.
5. Stay under the free storage limit (about 2GB personal). Upgrade storage if the account is full.

3. Mendeley Cite duplicates citations with Track Changes

Mendeley Cite does not fully support Word Track Changes. Editing citations while tracking is on can leave duplicate or ghost fields.

1. Step 1. Turn Track Changes off before inserting or editing citations.
2. Step 2. Remove broken citation fields, then reinsert from Mendeley Cite.
3. Step 3. Refresh the bibliography once the body citations look correct.
4. Step 4. Turn Track Changes back on only for prose edits, not citation field edits.

More detail lives in the FAQ on Word compatibility.

4. Clean duplicate references

1. Open the Duplicates smart collection in the sidebar.
2. Compare metadata and keep the record that has the PDF attached.
3. Merge or delete extras carefully if coauthors share the group library.
4. Re-run Cite only after the surviving records have stable keys.

5. Antivirus flags the Mendeley installer

Heuristic scanners sometimes warn on new or large EXEs. Before you trust a bypass:

• Match SHA256 to the download page.
• Ask IT to whitelist the specific hash, not an entire Downloads folder.
• Avoid random third-party re-packs that change the file size or hash.

Read the no-malware and responsibility notes

6. Best practices for a durable library