PCLZIP_ERR_BAD_FORMAT 276 incidents of this update error, but no resolution.

I am having the same PCLZIP_ERR_BAD_FORMAT update error that’s in 276 support issues, and yet after reading through most of them, there is no resolution that I can find and perform myself.
I have a current Support license.
I have updated all associated plugins and patches (Patcher)
Theme reports ready to update, and auto update enabled.

Full error text Update failed: The package could not be installed. PCLZIP_ERR_BAD_FORMAT (-10) : Unable to find End of Central Dir Record signature

Please help!

Hello,

Thank you so much for purchasing our theme and contacting our support center.

Try to do the following to update the theme:

1. Go to Dashboard -> WoodMart -> Theme License and deactivate the theme.

2. Go to Dashboard -> Updates and click on Check Again.

3. Activate the theme with your purchase code again.

4. Go to Dashboard -> Updates and click on Check Again.

5. Try to update the theme via Appearance -> Themes or via Dashboard -> Updates.

Regards

The theme will NOT deactivate.
When I click Deactivate Theme, I get immediate feedback that the theme has deactivated. However, when I follow the next instruction or browse to any other page, upon return it’s clear the theme has not deactivated.
In fact, even waiting a minute, and refreshing the license page, the theme shows active, and I can press “Deactivate Theme” again with the same results.

The theme will not deactivate!

Theme shows “deactivated, but waiting a minute and it’s clear it did not deactivate.

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The fact that you can’t deactivate the theme means that you are running a nulled version of the theme downloaded from a pirate website, which is activated with a fake code and can’t be deactivated.
In this case, you need to reinstall the theme completely manually. You can download it in your account on ThemeForest and reupload via Appearance -> Themes. Once you do this, you will be able to deactivate/activate it with your legal purchase code.

While that seems like a harsh accusation, especially since I purchased the theme over a year ago, from theme forest, and again just purchased the support.
however, I had a fiverr gig provider help me with initial installation and customization. I suppose he could have installed a copy from a different source, and then had me apply my license.
Since that seems like a possible scenario I’ll try the method you suggest.
First, though, I’m not familiar enough WordPress, or themes, to know exactly what I’ll lose in the process. How do I avoid losing any customizations, custom layout, templates, or css in the reinstallation process?

You will not lose anything if you didn’t make any changes in the theme core files. All your content and configurations made in the dashboard will not be touched.

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