Please help with this Bitwarden password manager ‘cipher out of date’ error.
I used the AI troubleshooting prompt below, which contains all the problem details, but I need to check with you guys before I keep descending further and further down the rabbit hole. I have already spent a couple of hours on the problem.
AI Prompt:
Subject:
Bitwarden password manager ‘cipher out of date’ error.
Roles:
- Act as my Bitwarden Technical Support troubleshooting specialist.
Deliverable:
Resolve the Bitwarden fault in the ‘Fault Description’ section below:
I’m encountering a ‘cipher out of date’ error in Bitwarden Desktop when saving an item with an attachment, but the attachment still uploads. I’ve provided detailed context, troubleshooting steps, and configuration. Please analyze this information and provide:
A list of potential causes for this error, ranked by likelihood.
A prioritized list of next troubleshooting steps I should take, including specific instructions for each.
Any further information you require from me to aid in diagnosis.
Fault Description:
- Attempting to save a Bitwarden item from Edit mode after adding an attachment, I receive the following error, which appears immediately after clicking “Save,” (there is no delay):
"An error has occurred.
The cipher you are updating is out of date. Please save your work, sync your vault, and try again."
-
Even though Bitwarden presents that error, nevertheless, it still uploads and sync’s the attachment. When I log into Bitwarden on another device, performing a sync, the attachment is present in the second Bitwarden instance.
-
I need to establish if this error is just an annoying message, or does it prevent future edits, cause data corruption, or lead to other issues down the line.
Context:
Troubleshooting actions taken thus far:
- This has been working fine for over 12 months, with the same software stack on the same devices, and only started occurring in the past few weeks.
- Tested on both Windows and Android Bitwarden Desktop apps - it occurs on both.
- It does not occur when using the browser web app.
- Synchronised vault in File → Sync Vault. Sync successfully completed.
- Reinstalled Bitwarden Desktop app in Windows11 from the Windows Store - no change to problem symptoms.
- I created a totally new Bitwarden Note item, not open in any other Bitwarden instance, repeat the test, and get the same symptoms.
- I have not changed my master password, or rotated my encryption key in Bitwarden’s settings for 12 months.
- The Bitwarden apps are on the most recent versions as far as I can tell.
Configuration, specifications, and notes:
The vault is a personal vault (not an organization vault).
Edit concurrency: The problem occurs whether the same item is open in edit mode on another device or app or not.
Attachment type and size: The problem occurs whether it is a tiny .txt file or a larger .PDF file.