Hi there! I see you’re encountering a network error when trying to convert files using the PDF Gear app on your Mac running OS X 10.15.7. Let’s work together to get this sorted out.

To start, can you tell me a bit more? For example:
- Does this error happen every time during conversion or just sometimes?
- Are you converting files that are stored locally on your Mac or from an online source?
- Have you noticed any issues with your internet connection recently?
- Also, does the error message mention anything else besides "network error"?

Once I have a bit more info, I can guide you through some targeted troubleshooting steps!

Running OS X 15.3.1

Thanks for the update about your OS version. Just to clarify, you mentioned OS X 15.3.1—are you referring to macOS Sequoia 15.3.1? Usually, Mac versions are around 10.x or 11.x, 12.x, etc., but I see from recent sources that Apple has been naming versions like Sequoia with numbers around 15.x.

Assuming you mean macOS Sequoia 15.3.1, here is what I found regarding PDF Gear compatibility:

- PDF Gear for Mac supports macOS 10.14 and newer, but there is no explicit confirmation about full compatibility with macOS Sequoia 15.3.1.
- Some users have reported issues with PDF Gear on macOS versions in the 15.x range, like 15.4.1, causing the app to fail opening properly1.
- PDF Gear's official pages don’t yet list full support for Sequoia 15.x versions, which might explain the network errors or app performance issues you're seeing during conversion.

Given that, here’s what I'd recommend:

1. Confirm macOS version: Double-check in Apple menu > About This Mac exactly which version you are running to be sure.

2. Update PDF Gear: Make sure you have the latest version of PDF Gear installed from the official source or Mac App Store because updates sometimes add compatibility fixes.

3. Try reinstallation: Uninstall PDF Gear completely, then reinstall it fresh. Sometimes corrupted installations cause network or operational errors.

4. Check Network Settings: Since your error is “network error,” ensure your Mac’s internet connection is stable, and no firewall or VPN is blocking PDF Gear’s access.

5. Test on Supported macOS: If possible, try running PDF Gear on macOS 10.15.7 (Catalina) or another version explicitly supported to see if the issue persists.

If these steps don’t resolve it, it may indicate a compatibility issue between PDF Gear and macOS Sequoia versions like 15.3.1. In that case, contacting PDF Gear’s support directly or checking their forums for updates on support for Sequoia might be the best next step.

Let me know if you want help with any of these steps or have any other info! Are you able to confirm your exact macOS version from your Mac?

It was working fine until this week

Thank you for sharing that it was working fine until this week. That helps narrow things down a bit.

Since the app was functioning properly before and only recently began giving network errors during conversion, it’s quite possible there was an update—either to PDF Gear itself or your macOS—that introduced this issue. Sometimes, updates to the app or the OS can cause temporary compatibility hiccups or network connectivity problems.

Here are some focused steps to try next:

1. Check for PDF Gear Updates:
Open the app or visit the Mac App Store and see if there is a new update available. Sometimes a recent update might fix issues caused by earlier updates.3

2. Restart Your Mac:
A simple restart can clear out temporary glitches that might cause network failures.

3. Check Your Internet Connection:
Confirm your Mac is connected to the internet normally by browsing to a few websites. Also, if you’re on Wi-Fi, consider switching briefly to a wired connection or vice versa.

4. Review Firewall or VPN Settings:
Did you install or modify firewall or VPN settings recently? They can block PDF Gear’s internet access. Temporarily disable them to test.

5. Reinstall the App:
If nothing else works, uninstall PDF Gear completely and reinstall the latest version. This can fix corrupted files or settings causing the network error.

6. See if Other Users Have This Issue:
Based on community feedback, some people have seen problems after recent updates3, so checking the PDF Gear Reddit or forums might offer more current workarounds.

If after trying these steps the problem persists, the issue might be on PDF Gear’s server side or due to a deeper compatibility conflict with your macOS version. In that case, contacting PDF Gear’s support directly or waiting for an official fix might be necessary.

Would you like me to walk you through reinstalling the app or checking your network settings in more detail? Let me know how you’d prefer to proceed!