Couldn’t communicate with a helper application - Desktop client

Hi! 

I'm using the desktop account on MacOS Montery 12.7.1. I've reinstalled Dropbox, but still am not synching multiple files, getting the same message, "

couldn’t communicate with a helper application"

How can this be fixed? I've discovered a few months of files that are missing/only on one computer, but not another. 

Walker3

I've just discovered nothing is uploading from my computer to the web-based file folders either. I get a cloud icon with an exclamation point inside it. 

Thanks, Luk3h! 

That fixed it!

W.

Glad to see everything works like they should, guys! 

If you need anything else, I'll be one post away! Have a lovely weekend ahead,enjoy! 

I'm also having the same issue, trying to download files QT files 100GB+ in size. I've tried clicking on the cloud icon but get the same message "couldn't communicate with a helper application". Double-clicking on the file it says the document could not be opened (obviously, it's not in my hard drive). 

Reading this thread, I've allowed DBox full disk access and restarted the computer & application but have not been able to resolve the issue.

Please help. Thanks.

I'm also having the same issue, trying to download files QT files 100GB+ in size. I've tried clicking on the cloud icon but get the same message "couldn't communicate with a helper application". Double-clicking on the file it says the document could not be opened (obviously, it's not in my hard drive). 

Reading this thread, I've allowed DBox full disk access and restarted the computer & application but have not been able to resolve the issue.

Please help. Thanks.

PS: I forgot to mention I'm using a 13-inch MacBook Pro, M2, 8 GB and my Dropbox version is 189.4.8395 (up to date).

Hey there dbonaparte - sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

From what I gather you're getting this error message from files that are online only - correct me if I'm wrong please.

If that's the case, could you try making them available offline on your computer and let me know if you still get the errors you mentioned? 

Hello Walter, thanks for your reply.

You are correct, I only have this issue with online-only files. And, from what I can surmise, the issue only affects these weighty, QuickTime files- as lighter online files (Excel spreadsheets, Power Point presentations, even lighter image files) do not seem to present this problem and seem to sync up issue-free.

I have also singled the video files as "available offline" in my computer yet that action does not seem to always work, or positively affect the synching of the files (ie, it's not "a given").

The baffling thing is the "couldn't communicate with a helper application" message happens in a random fashion. It "comes and goes". I'll be able to sync a file, or two, and then the message will pop up again for hours on end... and, suddenly, the platform will allow me to download another file or two, for the problem to arise again. It's like a never-ending cycle.

As of this moment, as I'm writing this reply, the platform is allowing me to download a file. But I expect to be able to sync this file & perhaps one more before the warning pops up again. What I'm trying to say is that synching is not automatic, not a given.

Just so you know, I'm being careful to not run out of space in my hard drive so I download one file at a time, back it up to an external drive, then delete the original file and try to sync another. Yes, it's painfully slow going as I make sure to always have plenty of room in my computer's HD. So HD space is NOT an issue.

What worries me is the randomness of the issue, and that if I were on a rush to meet a deadline I could not be sure to meet my commitments on time. As it happens, I'm doing this on my own time to back up my files (and free-up online space). But this issue makes it extremely frustrating and is a warning for planning future projects.

I'm a long-time user of Dropbox and have never had an issue like this before.

Thanks for the additional information dbonaparte - much appreciated. 

In this case, I'd suggest keeping an eye out on this behavior and if you notice it again, you can contact our support team for further assistance with account and device specific information.