Need to see if your shared folder is taking up space on your dropbox 👨‍💻? Find out how to check here.

Forum Discussion

Shawn B.14's avatar
Shawn B.14
Helpful | Level 6
6 years ago

Dropbox is stuck syncing after an update, what can I do?

I have the "Dropbox Plus" subscription and I run the client on 4 computers.   Yesterday (Monday, 13-Jan-2020) I signed onto my desktop (which is always on) and has a full local sync of my dropbox...
desktop
Download
Dropbox Plus
sync
windows
Matt F.16's avatar
Matt F.16
Collaborator | Level 9
6 years ago

Hi Daphne  -- completed the commands, but no change.. Still stuck on a blank "Syncing..."

[Jan 21 07:44 PM][matt@server:~]$ dropbox.py status
Syncing...
[Jan 21 07:44 PM][matt@server:~]$ dropbox.py stop
Dropbox isn't responding!
[Jan 21 07:45 PM][matt@server:~]$ dropbox.py stop
Dropbox isn't running!
[Jan 21 07:45 PM][matt@server:~]$ dropbox.py stop
Dropbox isn't running!
[Jan 21 07:45 PM][matt@server:~]$ sudo chown "$USER" "$HOME"
[sudo] password for matt: 
[Jan 21 07:45 PM][matt@server:~]$ sudo chown -R "$USER" ~/Dropbox ~/.dropbox
[Jan 21 07:45 PM][matt@server:~]$ sudo chattr -R -i ~/Dropbox
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/bin/setLightsGetColorsLiving
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/bin/setLightsFlashColorLiving
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/bin/setLightsFlashColorBoys
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/bin/setLightsColorBed
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/bin/setLightsGetColorsBed
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/bin/eth/geth
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/bin/eth/blockchain/geth.ipc
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/bin/setLightsPowerBed
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/bin/babysit_lircd
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/bin/setLightsFlashColorMatt
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/bin/setLightsFlashColorBed
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/bin/setLightsPowerLiving
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/Documents/Technical/Backups/android-workspace/School
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/Documents/Technical/android-workspace/School
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/Documents/bin
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wRemoteDesktop1.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wRemoteDesktop3.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wPing3.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wPing2.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wRemoteDesktop9.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wWebcams4.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wWebcams2.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wWebcams7.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wWebcams1.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wRemoteDesktop6.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wPing5.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wWebcams6.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wRemoteDesktop10.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wPing4.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wWebcams8.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wRemoteDesktop8.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wRemoteDesktop5.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wRemoteDesktop12.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wWebcams5.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wRemoteDesktop7.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wRemoteDesktop2.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wPing1.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wRemoteDesktop11.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wWebcams3.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/Zend
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/mfp/widgets/wRemoteDesktop4.php
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/server/www/jarvis
chattr: Operation not supported while reading flags on /home/matt/Dropbox/src/jarvis/ui/images/neticons/mnt
[Jan 21 07:45 PM][matt@server:~]$ sudo chmod -R u+rw ~/Dropbox ~/.dropbox
[Jan 21 07:46 PM][matt@server:~]$ dropbox.py start
Starting Dropbox...dropbox: locating interpreter
dropbox: logging to /tmp/dropbox-antifreeze-kYer41
dropbox: initializing
dropbox: initializing python 3.7.5
dropbox: setting program path '/home/matt/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-88.4.172/dropbox'
dropbox: setting python path '/home/matt/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-88.4.172:/home/matt/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-88.4.172/python-packages.zip'
dropbox: python initialized
dropbox: running dropbox
dropbox: setting args
dropbox: applying overrides
dropbox: running main script
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/matt/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-88.4.172/cryptography.hazmat.bindings._constant_time.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/matt/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-88.4.172/cryptography.hazmat.bindings._openssl.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/matt/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-88.4.172/cryptography.hazmat.bindings._padding.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/matt/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-88.4.172/psutil._psutil_linux.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/matt/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-88.4.172/psutil._psutil_posix.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/matt/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-88.4.172/apex._apex.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
dropbox: load fq extension '/home/matt/.dropbox-dist/dropbox-lnx.x86_64-88.4.172/tornado.speedups.cpython-37m-x86_64-linux-gnu.so'
Dropbox isn't running!
Done!
[Jan 21 07:46 PM][matt@server:~]$ dropbox.py status
Syncing...
[Jan 21 07:46 PM][matt@server:~]$ dropbox.py status
Syncing...
[Jan 21 07:46 PM][matt@server:~]$ dropbox.py status
Syncing...

The chattr "Operation not supported errors" are on symlinks, which makes sense. There are 10,000's other files that should be syncing.

gformenti's avatar
gformenti
Helpful | Level 5
6 years ago

Hi Daphne, my account tab doesnt have this option to "Fix Hardlinks". I dont know if it is because I am part of  team Dropbox. In our studio im the only one with this issue. I reinstalled 2 times already, and did those step in command prompt butstillEdited by moderator

  • PatWard's avatar
    PatWard
    Helpful | Level 7
    6 years ago

    Press and hold the space bar and two buttons will appear like magick. It doesn't always happen straight away or first time .. the magick needs coaxing.

  • Shawn599's avatar
    Shawn599
    Helpful | Level 6
    6 years ago

    Thank you @PatWard for the advice to hold the space bar to see the buttons!  It took a couple of tries and then I got them.  Been syncing 32,000 + files for a week now.

  • PatWard's avatar
    PatWard
    Helpful | Level 7
    6 years ago

    Yeah no worries. I discovered it by accident .. something resting on my space bar ...

    Mine seems to of indexed about 2-3000 files over the last week .. which I suppose is progress.

     

    Question to the forum about Symlinks .. I've never knowingly created one .. does dropbox do it itself? When, for example, you migrate it to a different hard drive?

     

    Thanks

  • Fiona's avatar
    Fiona
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    6 years ago

    Hi everyone! 

    PatWard the Dropbox desktop app doesn't have the ability to create symlinks for your files.

    However, if your Dropbox folder was renamed, the Dropbox desktop app will create a hidden folder with the old folder name ("Dropbox"). This is called a “symlink.” This hidden folder points to the new Dropbox folder from the old location path.

    If your computer is set to show hidden files and folders, this symlink may look like a secondary Dropbox folder on your computer but it isn't. 

    :pushpin: Notes for hidden symlink folders.

    • Some programs on your computer may depend on the original Dropbox folder path name ("Dropbox") to function properly and so if your main folder has been renamed it is best to leave the hidden symlink folder untouched. 
    • The symlink folder does not use extra disk space on your computer or your Dropbox account. 
    • Deleting files in the symlink Dropbox folder will also delete the original file but deleting the symlink folder iself won't delete the main renamed Dropbox folder. 

    You can mention  me, or other Dropboxers and we will be happy to participate in your discussion more. 

    Cheers! 

  • PatWard's avatar
    PatWard
    Helpful | Level 7
    6 years ago

    Thanks Fiona, thats a bit clearer. A bit. But my patience is waring thin now.

    Daphneasked me to move to email a week ago and so far there's been as good as silence. I'm just left waiting wondering whats happening.

    For a problem that seems to be of your own making I'd of expected better.

About View, download, and export

Node avatar for View, download, and export
Need support with viewing, downloading, and exporting files and folders from your Dropbox account? Find help from the Dropbox Community.

The Dropbox Community team is active from Monday to Friday. We try to respond to you as soon as we can, usually within 2 hours.

If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X, Facebook or Instagram.

For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.

If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!