"Cannot create downloader" Pop-Up Issue

[Phil209]

OS: Windows 11
Version: 2.5.1

Issue: The "Cannot create downloader" window that pops up when the internet isn't available is creating a bug when a zim is loaded from the command line, but only if the pop-up is closed too quickly.

If you wait a couple second before hitting OK the launched zim is loaded into a tab with an X button and works properly. But if you hit OK too quickly the X is missing and once you navigate away from the tab (e.g. go to settings) it can't be closed or returned to, although all subsequent tabs work fine.

Possible Solution: Not checking the internet when a local zim is being loaded from the command line or script. It's not a big deal. One can simply create a loop that detects the pop-up, waits a couple seconds, then closes it. But it would be nice to just load the desired zim from a set of shortcuts without the pop-up and delay for when you just want to quickly look something up.

Edit: Also, I noticed that when this happens the new tab + button is on the left of the loaded tab, while the close X button is where the new tab button normally is (to the right of the tab).

[AshuShekhar07]

Hi! I was able to understand the issue and the reproduction steps. It looks like this might be related to downloader initialization or a UI timing/race condition when a local ZIM is opened offline.

I’d like to investigate this and work on a fix — possibly by avoiding downloader initialization when a local ZIM is loaded or ensuring the tab UI is fully initialized independently.

Could you please assign this issue to me? Thank you!