Unable to access big files in Notes with browser

Bart Verheecke

We are suffering from a very annoying issue with Notes. For our product documentation we exchange some PDF files, which we store in notes using File blocks. However, when trying to access them in a browser by clicking the block, we have a major hiccup. One of these things happen:
- Nothing happens
- the page turns white
- the note jumps to the top of the page

It turns out this occurs when the files are rather large (There is an upper limit of 200MB). As a workaround, we can wait a while until the page and attachment fully load and that sometimes allows us to view/download the file. But not always. Also, why would the attached files load before, and not after clicking them?

Meanwhile in the iOS app, everything works fine. Also, in Meistertask itself, there's no issue whatsoever.

We have this notes issue on both Windows and Mac, and with Edge, Firefox, Chrome and Safari browsers. Other people experience this? Any suggestions on how to circumvent this issue? Some PDF browser viewer plugin?

Joerg Koper

Hi @Bart Verheecke 👋🙂

That is indeed very strange. I'll try to get the Meister Team aboard.

Best, Jörg

Bart Verheecke

hi, Support has acknowledged the issue but is unable to address it right now.

It basically makes the Files blocks in notes unusable at the moment. I cannot imagine we're the only ones affected by this?

Joerg Koper

https://community.meister.co/discussion/comment/11116#Comment_11116

I'll try to reproduce this by myself too in the next days, Bart. I'll get back to you with my result as soon as possible.

Bart Verheecke

Thanks! I guess if you make a new note with a bigger file (>50MB), you immediately see the issue. If you add a second small file to the same note (<1MB) it will also be affected.

Joerg Koper

I have tried to reproduce the problem and everything worked like a charm, Bart

I have uploaded a PDF with a file size of 67 MB and another with a file size of 20 MB. Both files have been uploaded fast and opened without any delay. 🤔

Do you have any firewalls installed in your network or on the machines itself, that could affect the work in MeisterNote (Browsers)? Sometimes individual protection scripts can cause problems like that too. Scripts like that can also be installed on routers.

Best, Jörg

Bart Verheecke

Hi, thanks for the feedback! We have no interfering scripts or firewalls. The issue happens on both Windows and Mac, on Wifi and Ethernet, and both in the office and at home.

I have investigated the problem further, and as I suspected, when accessing a note all embedded files are immediately downloaded as well. For instance, we have a note with 6 file blocks: all 6 files are downloaded when viewing the note. Resulting in this example a massive 500MB is being transferred. To view a note! Why?

This is not normal, because when clicking the file, a popup appears to download the file. Resulting in the file being downloaded twice! Not only does this cause huge amounts of unnecessary network traffic, but also in an unresponsive interface.

Joerg Koper

As far as I can tell, you have already contacted support. I can't currently reproduce the problem on my side or duplicate it. I recommend staying in touch with the support team and keeping my fingers crossed for a quick solution 🤞