Plugin Installation Errors?

[JohnPX33]

Hello,

I started to use KiCAD from ca. Version 6 or 7. The actual KiCAD version is :

Application: KiCad x64 on x64

Version: 9.0.2, release build

Libraries:
wxWidgets 3.2.6
FreeType 2.13.3
HarfBuzz 10.2.0
FontConfig 2.15.0
libcurl/8.11.1-DEV Schannel zlib/1.3.1

Platform: Windows 11 (Erzeugungsversion 26100), 64-bit Edition, 64 bit, Little endian, wxMSW

Build Info:
Date: May 7 2025 02:29:49
wxWidgets: 3.2.6 (wchar_t,wx containers)
Boost: 1.86.0
OCC: 7.8.1
Curl: 8.11.1-DEV
ngspice: 44
Compiler: Visual C++ 1942 without C++ ABI
KICAD_IPC_API=ON

Locale:
Lang:
Enc: UTF-8
Num: 1’234.5
Encoded кΩ丈: D0BACEA9E4B888 (sys), D0BACEA9E4B888 (utf8)

Before I used some external Plugins, which I installed through the GUI Tool on KiCAD.
When I updated KiCAD the Plugins were away. So I tried to reinstall it again with the GUI-Tool.
Unfortunately it won’t work, it tries to download it, but the Error “ZIP couldn’t be extracted” shows up, with no installation.
I tried to Re-install KiCad, clean up the remaining FIles, Data, Folder, Registry as far I could find.
Restart the OS, and re-installed KiCAD. Again it won’t install the plugins.

Then I tried to install the plugins manually, downloaded and extracted the zip files, to the Folder which the PCBEditor shows me in Tools - External Plugins- Open Plugin Folder. No Plugins, also with synchronize.
So far my Tries. Maybe someone knows a bit more, and have some hints and advises to solve this Problem ?

Thank you.

Best Regards,
John

[m852]

What plugins are you trying to install?

[RaptorUK]

@JohnPX33

So far my Tries. Maybe someone knows a bit more, and have some hints and advises to solve this Problem ?

Some Plugins may not have been updated to work with V9.x.y

[BlackCoffee]

@JohnPX33

So far my Tries. Maybe someone knows a bit more, and have some hints and advises to solve this Problem ?

First: I’m still using v7 so, I can’t confirm what I suggest will work as a ‘TEST’ on v9

I make my plugin’s to work the Old Way by placing the .py and Icon into the User’s Scripting>Plugins Folder (that way, no official approach (meta, zip…) is needed.

As a “Net’s” TEST for another Post, last week I stumbled upon a Plugin for Net’s and grabbed it. I put it into the Scripting folder and it worked, as do my plugins. This Net plugin is listed by the Author as working with v9 (Here’s the link: https://github.com/mws262/kicad-assign-net-to-selection/blob/main/README.md ).

I made an Icon for it and all works well…

If that works for your v9, then, tweak your plugin and see if a similar method of using it in Kicad works…

[JohnPX33]

Few, as in the Attachement Picture :

Thanks

[JohnPX33]

For example the Plugin Board2PDF says :

Board2Pdf 2.0

The main branch is currently a work in progress. The stable version of Board2Pdf can be found in the v1.9.x branch.

Board2Pdf 1.9.x uses the old SWIG API and works with KiCad v6 to v9. Board2Pdf 2.0.x uses the new IPC API and is only compatible with KiCad v9 and later.

Still it can’t be installed through the Plugin Manager Tool, (Error on Extraction!)

Thank you

[JohnPX33]

Maybe it happens due a Constellation of my own Operating System Configuration. Or it’s a kind of Bug more or less common.

Thank you

[JohnPX33]

Okay,

Sorry to bother with all the messages.

I got it to work !

Just to explain the steps :

I was thinking to downgrade KiCad and try former Version until it would work.

However when I deinstalled the actual KiCad 9.0.2.
This time the deinstallation Popup showed a checkbox , asking if I want to delete data and “settings”. So I checked it okay. After installing it again the Plugin Manager worked well.

If there is a kind of AI-tech which changed sporadically the checkbox, I don’t know.

However for others coping with such issues, check out this link :

Kicad Setting Files

Thanks

Best regards,
John