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

How do you downgrade?

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DarseZ wrote:

Exis, I think that's the issue, not having clarity around this yet.  If the new version has issues I'd rather just know, so I can backgrade to 87.4.138 for the time being until everything is worked out.

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Hey everyone, thanks for your patience here!

Thanks for joining us here marcoross83, as a first step please just try the steps here.

For those who already tried "Fix permissions/hardlinks", could you check that you don't have symlinks within your Dropbox folder? You can use the steps in point 7 of this article.

Symlinks can cause syncing issues, along with high CPU usage like you mentioned seeing Matt F.16. Can you try removing the symlinks or replacing them with the actual file and restart Dropbox?

To see if there is indeed a common root cause, then we need to drill down the possibilities as syncing issues can be caused by a number of instances.

I wouldn't recommend it, but you can try installing a previous version of the app from here, as the newest versions have the latest security enhancements etc. Also, the app would automatically update to the latest version.

I've reached out to your email tonyskate, please check your inbox when you have a moment and we'll go from there.

Last but not least, I'm very glad to hear that those steps helped resolve your issue with the conflicted copies PatWard! I'll be following up with you in a moment on your thread.

Thank you all for your ongoing cooperation, it's very much appreciated.

Keep me up to date! :white_check_mark:

Hi @Daphne, I do not have the Fix Hardlinks or Fix Permissions options in the account section of my dropbox preferences.

What can I do?

Daphnethanks for your reply.  Regarding this:

"I wouldn't recommend it, but you can try installing a previous version of the app from here, as the newest versions have the latest security enhancements etc. Also, the app would automatically update to the latest version."

Really appreciate you being in the trenches with us on this!

1) Dropbox seemed to work well (and invisibly) for many of us before the last update, so the 'security enhancements' thing doesn't sound credible.  Many of us are pretty savvy here, it would be worth considering starting to begin giving us solid info.

2) What would be the point of installing a previous version if it updates to the latest version anyway?

Hi Daphne  - I cannot remove the symlinks because they are part of a production application in use (with users). Furthermore, Dropbox officially came out and said that Symlinks are "okay" to have in your Dropbox, they just won't be "followed":

 from Dropbox's official statement regarding this most recent update: "Symlinks are similar to shortcuts that let you have 1 folder in 2 places on your device. For example, if you have a symlink in Dropbox that links to another folder in Dropbox, you’ll now see a symlink and 1 folder—not 2 copies of the same folder."

Further further more, symlinks are unique to Linux, and we have many people in this thread with the exact same problem who are on Windows. My symlinks were not causing any issues prior to the most recent update from Dropbox.

I just tried the new beta and same problem: "Syncing..." (no numbers), until it eats all 32GB of RAM and dies.

When is Dropbox going to stop blaming the users for being the source of the problem and realize that everything worked fine for us up until the last update? They need to fix their code and do better testing going forward. This is an embarassment. 

This is ridiculous, depending on how long this takes to solve Im going to suggest our studio to migrate to another file handling /cloud services, .Its not only worse because im the only one affected out of 14ppl.

Matt F.16 Exactly! If they don't acknowledge it I'm off Dropbox. Not worth a penny if I cannot trust the company I pay 20 euros a month. Their support, their policy is nothing but just copy-paste, polite but meaningless empty convo.

I managed to get my dropbox working. Its not an ideal solution, I had myself deleted from my Dropbox team account, all files erased then reinvited. Im slowly beeing shared our work folders, however the DL rate is pitiful 500kbps (where it should have been at least 10.000 kbps.... yes it is on unlimited b4 anyone in the support has the never to ask this.

Hello again everyone!

Thanks for joining us here user2891. To see those "fix" options, you'll need to keep the space bar key pressed while in the "Account" tab of the app preferences.

If this doesn't do the trick, can you check the steps I mentioned here to see if you have any symlinks within your Dropbox folder?

At the moment, this is a change that's being rolled out to everyone Matt F.16, so it may be that some of you haven't received this change yet while others have. I just want to make sure that we go over all the important troubleshooting so we don't miss anything.

Windows currently supports the use of symbolic links on 10, 8, 7 and Vista which is why I asked if everyone could check this.

I didn't want to rule out reinstalling another version of the app DarseZ if you wanted to try it. I just wanted to add to it since some of you were wondering if and how this is possible. 

So we can look into this with the device info, I've reached out to the email linked with your profile Matt F.16. Please check your inbox when you have the chance and we can go from there.

gformenti, I was able to locate your communication with my colleague via email. I've passed along your comments here to keep them in the loop. 

They might be able to assist you with the sync speeds since they can have a look into the device specifics with you. If you'd like to, I'd suggest replying back to their last email to let them know.

As always, I'm just a post away!