If you're experiencing issues with Dropbox not syncing, don't worry, you're not alone. This problem can be frustrating, especially when you need to access your files.
The first thing to check is your internet connection. If your internet is slow or unstable, it can cause syncing issues. Make sure your Wi-Fi or data connection is strong and stable.
Dropbox has a limit on the number of devices that can sync at the same time. If you've reached this limit, you may need to remove some devices to get syncing working again.
Troubleshooting
Dropbox not syncing can be frustrating, but there are some simple things you can check to get it working again.
First, ensure your internet connection is stable and strong. Internet connection is the basic to ensure the normal work of Dropbox.
If your PC is connected to the internet, but Dropbox still isn't syncing, check your network speed and make sure you're not limiting Dropbox's download and upload rate.
You should also ensure your router is connected to the internet and functioning properly.
Fixing Sync Issues
To fix Dropbox sync issues, start by checking your internet connection, as a stable connection is essential for syncing files. If your connection is slow or unstable, try restarting your router to resolve the issue.
If your internet connection is fine, try restarting the Dropbox process, which can be done by closing the Dropbox app and reopening it. Alternatively, you can also restart the Dropbox app itself.
If the above steps don't work, try clearing the cache and data of the Dropbox app, which can be done by deleting the files in the ~/Dropbox/.dropbox.cache path. This will reset the app's cache and may resolve the syncing issue.
Here are the steps to clear cache and data of the Dropbox app:
If none of the above steps work, try checking your local storage space, as running out of space can prevent files from syncing. If you're running low on space, try deleting some files or moving them to an external drive.
Selective Sync Check
Selective Sync is a feature that allows you to choose which files sync from dropbox.com to the Dropbox folder on your computer.
If your files are synced on all but one computer, Selective Sync may be ignoring certain folders. To see if the files missing from your computer were selectively synced, check it by going to Dropbox’s preferences > Account > Change Settings > Selective Sync.
This feature is also useful if you only want to back up certain files or folders. If you don't add certain files or folders, you may find Dropbox is not syncing your files.
Here are the steps to check Selective Sync:
- Click the Dropbox icon in the taskbar.
- Click the Settings button, go to Preferences > Sync.
- Click Selective Sync to put the files you want to sync into the selective sync folder. Also, you can unselect files that you don’t need.
Make sure you're signed into the same Dropbox account across all your devices for syncing to work. If you logged into a different account, then it makes sense that your Dropbox won’t sync.
How to Fix
To fix sync issues with Dropbox, start by checking your internet connection. A stable internet connection is crucial for Dropbox to sync files across devices.
Try restarting the Dropbox process, as this can often resolve the issue. You can do this by going to the Task Manager on your Windows device and ending the Dropbox process.
Clearing the cache and data of the Dropbox app can also help resolve syncing issues. To do this, locate the cache files at ~/Dropbox/.dropbox.cache.
If you're still experiencing issues, check your files for any incompatible characters such as forward slashes, backslashes, or colons. You can use the Dropbox bad file name tool to check for these characters.
Here's a list of potential solutions to try:
- Restart the Dropbox app
- Check your local storage space
- Disable antivirus software
- Allow Dropbox through the Windows Firewall
- Switch to a more stable cloud backup and sync service - CBackup
By trying these solutions, you should be able to resolve your Dropbox syncing issues and get back to accessing your files across devices.
Windows 10 Issues
Many Windows 10 users have reported problems with Dropbox, including Dropbox not updating shared folders and Dropbox stuck syncing.
The main causes of these issues are misconfigurations and bugs in settings, file in use, identical names, firewall issues, and Proxy settings.
Other Cases
If you're experiencing issues with Dropbox not syncing across devices, there are solutions for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.
Try restarting the Dropbox process on your Windows PC to see if it resolves the issue. Alternatively, you can check your internet connection to ensure it's stable.
If Dropbox is stuck on your computer, quitting the program completely and starting it again can be a simple fix. This method is effective even if your files have synced correctly but Dropbox fails to read them correctly.
If you're experiencing issues with Dropbox on your iOS or Android device, the troubleshooting steps are similar to those for Windows PCs. You can try clearing the cache and data of the Dropbox app on your device.
In some cases, disabling your antivirus software may resolve the issue. However, this should be done with caution, as it may compromise your device's security.
If you're using Dropbox on your Mac, you can try restarting the Dropbox process or checking your local storage space to resolve syncing issues.
Check for Incompatible Files
You may encounter issues syncing files with Dropbox if their names contain certain characters, such as forward slashes, backslashes, less than, greater than, and colons.
File names with these characters won't be synced across devices, which can be frustrating if you rely on Dropbox for file sharing.
The Dropbox bad file name tool can help identify files with incompatible names.
Windows 10 Fixes
Dropbox not syncing files or folders is a common issue, often caused by misconfigurations and bugs in settings, file in use, identical names, firewall issues, and Proxy settings.
Try restarting the Dropbox process to resolve the issue, as this is a simple yet effective solution.
Many users have reported that restarting the Dropbox app has also resolved the syncing issue.
If the issue persists, check your Internet connection to ensure it's stable and working properly.
Clearing the cache and data of the Dropbox app can also help resolve the syncing issue.
Disable your antivirus software temporarily to see if it's causing the issue, as some antivirus programs can interfere with Dropbox's syncing process.
Allowing Dropbox through the Windows Firewall can also resolve the syncing issue.
If none of these solutions work, consider switching to a more stable cloud backup and sync service like CBackup, as it may be a more reliable option.
Alternative Solutions
If you've tried the basic methods to fix the issue of Dropbox not syncing Windows 10 and still can't get it to work, there are alternative solutions to consider.
You can try unlinking your Dropbox account, which might resolve the issue. Alternatively, you can try installing Dropbox from the Windows Store, which may help resolve the problem.
If you're looking for a more stable cloud backup and sync service, you might want to consider CBackup, which offers a PC client for Windows PC to auto backup and sync local files to the cloud easily and quickly.
CBackup has several outstanding advantages, including being more stable than most cloud storage services and providing multiple backup destinations, including CBackup Cloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and more.
Here are some of the key features of CBackup that make it a great alternative to Dropbox:
- PC client for Windows PC to auto backup and sync local files to the cloud easily and quickly
- More stable than most cloud storage services
- Clear and easy-to-operate interface
- Multiple backup destinations
- Reasonable pricing plans
Switch to a More Stable Cloud Backup and Sync Service
If you're struggling with the troublesome problems of Dropbox, you can use a stable cloud backup and sync service as an alternative to protect your data. CBackup is a reliable option that offers a PC client for Windows PC to auto backup and sync local files to the cloud easily and quickly.
CBackup has several outstanding advantages that make it a great choice. It provides multiple backup destinations, including CBackup Cloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and more. Its interface is clear and easy to operate, and users can easily complete tasks in just a few simple steps.
One of the key benefits of CBackup is its stability. Tests and reports show that it is more stable than most cloud storage services. This means you can trust your data to be safe and secure with CBackup.
Here are some of the key features of CBackup:
- PC client for Windows PC to auto backup and sync local files to the cloud easily and quickly
- Multiple backup destinations, including CBackup Cloud, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and more
- Clear and easy-to-operate interface
- Reasonable pricing plans, more professional and economical than cloud storage services
To get started with CBackup, simply download the software, create an account for free, and sign in. From there, you can follow the simple steps to take a PC auto backup and sync to the cloud.
Other Possible Solutions
If you've already tried the initial solutions to fix Dropbox not syncing, there are still more options to explore.
You can try unlinking your Dropbox account, which might resolve the issue. This is mentioned in the list of possible solutions as a way to fix the problem.
Another approach is to install Dropbox from the Windows Store, as it's suggested in the article. This might help resolve any compatibility issues.
Running the App Troubleshooter can also be a good idea. This tool is designed to identify and fix problems with apps like Dropbox.
Exiting other applications can also help resolve the issue. Sometimes, having too many apps open in the background can interfere with Dropbox's syncing process.
Renaming the files can also be a solution. This might help Dropbox recognize them as new files and sync them correctly.
Updating the Dropbox application to the latest version is another option. This will ensure you have the latest features and bug fixes.
If none of these solutions work, you can try switching to a more stable cloud backup and sync service, like CBackup.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I speed up Dropbox sync?
Try restarting your devices, disabling VPN or proxy, or temporarily disabling firewall/antivirus to speed up Dropbox sync. If issues persist, consider optimizing your internet connection or pausing other network activities
How do I force sync files in Dropbox?
Force sync files in Dropbox by temporarily moving them out of the Dropbox folder and then moving them back in. This simple trick can resolve sync issues and ensure your files are up-to-date
How do I clear my Dropbox cache?
To clear your Dropbox cache, delete all files within the hidden cache folder located inside your Dropbox folder. Restart Dropbox afterwards to ensure everything is working properly.
Why can't Dropbox sync access denied?
Access denied errors when syncing Dropbox may be resolved by refreshing the source folder, which restarts the syncing process and resolves issues like 'can't sync'
How do I restart Dropbox Sync?
Try closing and reopening the Dropbox app to resolve syncing issues. If that doesn't work, uninstall and reinstall the app for a fresh start
Sources
- https://www.cbackup.com/articles/dropbox-not-syncing-across-devices.html
- https://www.imobie.com/cloud-tips/dropbox-not-syncing.htm
- https://windowsreport.com/dropbox-not-syncing-windows-11/
- https://www.minitool.com/backup-tips/dropbox-not-syncing.html
- https://askubuntu.com/questions/1166543/drop-box-is-not-syncing-in-ubuntu-18-04-3-lts
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