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Dimples's avatar
Dimples
Helpful | Level 5
4 years ago
Solved

Couln't download. Remove incompatible characters from the filename

Recently all of my computer with Dropbox have started showing a sync error "Couln't download. Remove incompatible characters from the filename. e.g. emojis, /\"<>:|?*"   The problem filename isn'...
desktop
Download
Error Messages
sync
  • Megan's avatar
    Megan
    2 years ago

    Hey Roy2010, no worries let me share Sam's response here as well.

     

    Hi everyone,

     

    Sharing an update on the topic: our team is working on adjusting this, and it's expected to roll out in our next Stable Build (V190).

     

    You can check our releases here, and we'll keep you informed on the progress.

     

    Thanks,

    Sam 

     

    I appreciate your patience on this, thank you!

Megan's avatar
Megan
Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
4 years ago

Hi Dimples, when you sent us the screenshot, it showed the file name "Applications" there. Can you please try this precise file name? 

 

Thanks for the screenshot jbales! Are these files added in your Dropbox folder, or online? Have you tried the troubleshooting steps shown through this thread? 

Dimples's avatar
Dimples
Helpful | Level 5
4 years ago

Meghan, I don't have an "applications" folder.  Not sure what to search for.

 

  • Megan's avatar
    Megan
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    4 years ago

    Can you try uninstalling the app, and then re-installing to see if the results in regards to the syncing status remain the same, Dimples? 

  • Dimples's avatar
    Dimples
    Helpful | Level 5
    4 years ago

    Megan I believe I've found the problem.  When I open a Word document in my dropbox folder, it creates a TMP file with a ~ in the name.  IF dropbox tries to sync while that file is open, would it cause this error.  Then if I close that file the TMP file disappears and thus DB cannot show it to me.  Going to test today to see if I can duplicate the error.

     

  • Megan's avatar
    Megan
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    4 years ago

    Great troubleshooting on your end, Dimples!

     

    Yes, this sounds highly plausible indeed. Let me know what you notice when you try to recreate it.

     

    Cheers! 

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