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Troubleshooting: Help

Can't log in? Can't access full text? Here are tips for solving common problems using library resources.

Are you having trouble accessing a library resource?  Try the following:

If you are having problems accessing library resources, contact the Information Desk.

Report a problem

Private Browsing


One way to potentially work around a library access issue is to put your browser in private mode, or incognito.  This will prevent the browser from remembering any previous errors and reloading them continuously. 
 

Chrome Instructions to Browse in private (Incognito Mode)

Edge Instructions to Browse InPrivate

Firefox Instructions for Private Browsing

Safari Instructions for Private Browsing

Try a different browser
 
image of differing browser icons
 
Some library resources will function better from one browser to the next, so if you continue to run into access issue with a library resource, it may be helpful to try using the resource from a different browser.  

Login errors can get saved in your cache even if they are just temporary. Many login errors are resolved by trying a different browser. If you can't use a different browser, try clearing your cache and search history.

User Limits

Some databases require you to set up a special account to use the database or certain features. Others are limited to just a few or only one user at a time. Some of these resources include: JSTOR, Intelliconnect (CCH), SciFinder, and Naxos, among others. Use the All Databases list to check for special access notes about the resource you are trying to use.

image Naxos 20 users at a time limit message in Library Database A-Z listing

Likewise, some of our eBooks are limited to just a few or only one user at a time. You will find notes about this in the catalog, next to the url for each book.

Any software updates?

You may experience problems using library resources because outdated software or settings. You may need to update your browser, update your browser plugins, or update your versions of Adobe Reader.

 

You may need to allow pop-ups or otherwise adjust your browser settings to see all content.

Proxy Error

  Screen reads 'Proxy Error.  The proxy server received an invalid response from an upstream server. The proxy server could not handle the request.'

If you see this screen, it means our proxy server got overwhelmed. Try a different browser or go through the OhioLINK databases list, using the off-campus URL, if possible, in order to move past the error..

EZProxy Prepend

To proxy a link, any link, add this to the beginning of the link:

http://ezproxy.bgsu.edu/login?url=

A proxied link to a JSTOR article would look like this:

http://ezproxy.bgsu.edu/login?url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/40651623

Test to see if your network is blocking EZproxy:

1. Go to web page: You Get Signal

2. In the Remote Address box

  • Change the Remote Address to:  ezproxy.bgsu.edu    
  • In the Port Number box, change Port Number to:  80     
  • Click on the Check button.

 

If the green flag appears and says that Port 80 is open on ezproxy.bgsu.edu, then your internet network is most likely not blocking EZProxy

 

If the red flag appears and says that Port 80 is closed on ezproxy.bgsu.edu, then your network is most likely set to block remote access to BGSU resources via EZProxy.

Screenshot of port forwarding tester with the remote address highlighted, the port highlighted, and the port closed message highlighted

 

If you ran this test and are being blocked by your network, please let us know.  

Sometimes the link to a resource you are trying to use is a session URL and not a persistent URL. 

 

If you cannot connect to a resource because you do not have a persistent link, usually the only thing you can do is try to find the item again in the database through a keyword search. 

When using databases, look for the "permalink" or "persistent link" or a link icon similiar to this:  to make sure you can get to something later.