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susan s.25's avatar
susan s.25
New member | Level 2
7 years ago

I can't open my files on my Mac

I can't open any of my Dropbox files. My Mac was recently upgraded to Catalina and I wonder if that is part of the problem. However, until this morning, I was able to view my Dropbox files  
desktop
Mac
sync
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niki_m's avatar
niki_m
Explorer | Level 3
6 years ago

Hi Lusil,

Thanks for the reply. 

My Dropbox has been syncing for weeks now - the screen shot shows its syncing 4 files / 1 sec, but it's been stuck on that for a couple hours now. I have my Dropbox on an external hd, so when I connect it to my computer and open the Dropbox App, Finder is so slow to go between folders and files if it doesn't completely crash. I no longer see the green check marks, nothing loads in my preview or if it does, it takes forever...

  

Lusil's avatar
Lusil
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
6 years ago

Thanks for getting back to me, niki_m. 

At first, please bear in mind that we don't recommend having the Dropbox folder in an external hard drive, as it runs the risk of various unexpected behaviors if the desktop app starts before the drive mounts and gets recognized by your computer. 

Also, although the desktop app seems to be running, it doesn't look like the folders you show in your Finder are part of the Dropbox folder that's syncing. 

Could you please click on the folder icon that's next to your avatar in your Recent/Notifications menu and double-check where it takes you? Can you see the syncing icons there?

Let me know what you find!

  • niki_m's avatar
    niki_m
    Explorer | Level 3
    6 years ago

    Hi Lusil,

     

    This is where it took me when I selected the folder icon next to my initials in the Recent/Notifications menu.

     

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

      Thanks for checking that out for me, niki_m. 

      Could you have a look at this article which suggests a few ways to tackle missing file icons?

      Let me know of any updates!

      PS. I removed some personal info from the screenshots you attached for security and privacy purposes as per our Community Guidelines. :slight_smile:

      • niki_m's avatar
        niki_m
        Explorer | Level 3
        6 years ago

        Hi Lusil,

        Thank you for adjusting the screen shots for security, much appreciated. 

        Will try reinstalling the app, eek. Keep you posted.

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