Invalid File Lookup / Merge Tool Error when Combining Strava Activities [Solved]

[GotoesUser]

Solution (updated by fulmar2 on 11/03/2025):

If you see an "Invalid File Lookup – Start Over" message when using the GOTOES Merge Tool with Strava activities:

• Check to make sure you're not using private browsing / incognito mode /blocked cookies that prevent Strava authorization from being saved.
• Check to make sure that the date/time is set correctly in your computer. Sometimes after daylight savings time the time can be wrong in your device, causing the authorization to "expire".
• Try using a different browser or device. If you find that this solves the issue, please post the name of the faulty browser/device here so I can investigate work-arounds for your specific setup.

Original Query:

When I try to use the merge tool with my Strava activities, I just get an "Invalid File Lookup – Start Over" error.
I’m logged in, and I can see my activities in Garmin. I’m using Chrome on Android, and I have the “Randomize ID Tag” option selected.
When I tried it again with Firefox, it worked. I’m abroad right now — could that be causing time problems?

[fulmar2]

That’s strange! Are you sure you’re logged in? What browser are you using?
Also, just to clarify — are you trying to merge files that are already in your Strava account, or files you’ve downloaded from Garmin or Strava manually?

If you’re using the “direct to Strava” feature, make sure the date and time are set correctly on your computer or device — that’s been causing problems for some users right after a daylight savings time-change.

Finally, can you confirm whether you were using a private browsing/incognito tab?
If you block cookies or use private browsing, GOTOES can’t store your Strava authorization key.
That means GOTOES can’t request or merge your activities from Strava.

Try using a normal browser window with cookies enabled — that should solve it.

[Sarpullido]

Hello,

I've been recently having the same problem. I make sure the time zone is correct. I disconnected and reconnected to Strava and Garmin. Still not working.
How did you solve it?

[fulmar2]

Hi Sarpullido --

Interesting that you have the same problem. IS the time set correctly on your computer? It seems like I get these messages right around the time change. My thought is that the files are "expiring" or maybe the cookies are expiring... but if you can send screenshots of what is happening (please include the full page and specifically the URL that is causing the invalid file look up) maybe I can identify a different problem if it's not a clock issue.

[Sarpullido]

Yes, it seems it started after time change. So far this is the only tool I use and never had a problem. I use my mobile phone, not a computer. The time stamps are correct.
Have a look at the screenshots.

[fulmar2]

Thank you for the screenshots. There is only one way to get that message - if the 16 digit upload code is missing from your submission.

I tried to replicate the issue on various browsers, and I was unable to get the same problem as you. I tried my iPhone using Chrome, Safari, DuckDuckGo, Opera, Aloha, Brave, and Vivaldi. None of them "lost" the 16 digit code. So, now I am wondering: Which browser are you using? I want to see if I can make this happen on my phone somehow, though I only own an iPhone for testing...

For you, the current solution would be to try a different browser that allows cookies and is not a private tab or incognito tab... but even if that resolves the problem for you, knowing how to replicate this issue MAY help me adjust the code so that the variable is not lost by the browser.

[Sarpullido]

Just tried now again.
Using Chrome on Android. Been using only the merge tool without any problems. Same phone, same browser...

[fulmar2]

Are you saying that the problem is resolved for you? And are you saying that it resolved without changing browsers? If so, that is good news. But I still want to leave my recommendation about changing browsers here for other people because caches and other browsers issues such as blocked cookies and incognito mode or private browsing could maybe cause this. It is also especially important to make sure that the right time and date are set in your phone or computer. This is because GOTOES automatically deletes files after a certain amount of time has passed for privacy reasons.

[Sarpullido]

No, it's not fixed.
No incognito browser and the time stamps are correct.
I'm going to try on my tablet and see if that works.

[Sarpullido]

It works on my Android tablet.
Probably this phone is starting to show its age?

[fulmar2]

I do not think that the problem is with the age of the device. I think it is one of the other things I mentioned - in particular, the date/time/time zone settings should be examined carefully.