Novel Import Troubleshooting Guide
Having trouble importing a novel or chapter? This guide covers the most common import issues and how to fix them — for URL imports via the extension and for EPUB uploads (Pro).
"Extension not detected"
The browser extension isn't installed or can't communicate with the web app.
Fix:
- Open
chrome://extensionsin Chrome - Find "TeaNovel Extension"
- Make sure the toggle is On
- Refresh the TeaNovel page
- Try importing again
If the extension isn't listed, install it from the Chrome Web Store. See Use the Extension for instructions.
Import stuck or loading indefinitely
The extension is trying to scrape the source site but isn't getting a response.
Possible causes:
- Source site is down or slow
- Your internet connection dropped
- The source site is blocking your IP (common with VPNs)
Fix:
- Check if you can access the source site directly in your browser
- Disable VPN temporarily and try again
- Wait a few minutes and retry. Some sites rate-limit requests.
- Refresh the TeaNovel page and start the import again
"Unsupported site" error
The URL you pasted isn't from a supported platform.
Currently supported: JJWXC, Qidian, QDMM, Fanqie, Qimao, Zongheng, and SFACG (free chapters only). See Supported Platforms.
Fix:
- Make sure you copied the URL from a supported site
- Check that the URL is a direct novel or chapter page (not a search results page)
- Don't use shortened links or redirect URLs
VIP or paid chapter won't import
TeaNovel can only import content your browser session can legitimately access on the source site. If a chapter is locked, VIP-only, or requires login, unlock it on the source platform first and try again. TeaNovel does not bypass paywalls.
Most platforms offer the first portion of a novel for free. Later chapters often require payment on the source platform.
Novel imports but no chapters appear
The extension scraped the novel's metadata but couldn't retrieve the chapter list.
Fix:
- Check that the novel has published chapters on the source site
- Try importing again — the source site may have been temporarily slow
- Make sure you used the novel's main page URL, not a category or search page
Wrong novel imported
If the imported novel doesn't match what you expected:
- Double-check the URL you pasted
- Some sites have similar URLs for different novels — verify the novel ID in the URL matches
Duplicate novels in library
Check that both entries refer to the same source and edition. If duplicate URL imports persist, contact support with a description of the problem. The permanent delete action described below applies to uploaded EPUB books.
EPUB upload issues
For uploading your own EPUB files (Pro). See Upload EPUB for the full workflow.
"Uploads require an active Pro plan"
EPUB upload is a Pro feature. Free and Starter plans can still import from the seven supported sites by URL.
"Choose an EPUB no larger than 20 MiB"
Files above 20 MiB are rejected before upload. The book must also stay within 5,000 chapters and 10 million source characters. If your EPUB is larger, re-export it without embedded fonts or oversized images, or split it into volumes.
"No readable chapters found"
Encrypted (DRM), ZIP64, and image-only EPUBs are not supported — the file must contain readable XHTML text. Check that your EPUB opens in a standard reader app, then try again.
Upload stopped before completion
Choose the local file again and retry the upload. The whole file is sent again; closing the browser before server confirmation interrupts the upload. Once confirmed, processing continues in the background and its status is available from the dashboard.
Processing failed or the book is only partly imported
Use Retry processing to continue from the saved import checkpoint. You can also cancel an unfinished import to remove its partial book. Translation becomes available when import completes.
The book imports but I cannot afford all chapters
Importing the book is separate from translation. Keep it in your library and select fewer chapters; the default is the next 50 untranslated chapters. Confirm the displayed credit budget before starting.
Some chapters failed to translate
Retryable failures can be resumed: open the book and use Continue to retry the remaining chapters. Chapters that already completed are kept and not charged again.
Re-uploading the same file
Uploading an EPUB that is already fully imported reuses the existing private book and preserves its translations. It does not automatically start translation; choose the chapters you want and confirm their budget.
Content was refused
The translation model may refuse explicit sexual or extreme-violence content. Refused chapters are not charged.
Removing an uploaded book
Delete uploaded book on the book's detail page permanently removes the file, source text, translations, glossary, and reading history. Stop any active translation first; credits already spent are not refunded.
Still stuck?
If none of these solutions work:
- Check Extension Issues for browser-specific problems
- Review FAQ for additional answers