View, Download, and Export FAQs

Here are some of our most frequently asked questions. If you have a question that isn't covered by the FAQ's please create a new topic here.

Large Dropbox downloads keep failing (website)

Downloads of large files or folders via web repeatedly fail or end prematurely.

Quick Guide

Switch to the desktop app with selective sync.
Break downloads into smaller batches (<250 GB).
Clear browser cache or try incognito.
Free up disk space before downloading.

Common Causes

Web download size restrictions or browser instability.
Connection drops during long downloads.
Local disk space issues or extraction failures.

Possible Fixes

Use desktop app to sync large content.
Download smaller folder subsets.
Try different browsers or clean cache/incognito .
Ensure adequate local storage for download + unzip.

Official Help Center References

https://help.dropbox.com/sync/download-entire-folders

Advice on troubleshooting download errors.

https://help.dropbox.com/installs/troubleshoot-homepage

Advice on browser issues.

Downloads of large files or folders via web repeatedly fail or end prematurely. Quick Guide Switch to the desktop app with selective sync. Break downloads into smaller batches (<250 GB). Clear browser cache or try incognito. Free up disk space before downloading. Common Causes Web download size restrictions or browser instability. Connection drops during long downloads. Local disk space issues or extraction failures. Possible Fixes Use desktop app to sync large content. Download smaller folder subsets. Try different browsers or clean cache/incognito . Ensure adequate local storage for download + unzip. Official Help Center References https://help.dropbox.com/sync/download-entire-folders Advice on troubleshooting download errors. https://help.dropbox.com/installs/troubleshoot-homepage Advice on browser issues.

Can’t load my photos on the Dropbox website

Photo thumbnails or previews fail to load or display on Dropbox’s web interface.

Quick Guide

Refresh or log out/in on dropbox.com.
Try another browser or use incognito mode.
Clear cache and disable browser extensions.
Wait—a server-side glitch might be affecting preview rendering.

Common Causes

Browser cache, plugins, or rendering problems.
Temporary Dropbox server-side outage affecting previews .
Files haven’t fully uploaded or synced correctly.

Possible Fixes

Clear cache or switch browser.
Wait and try again later if issue is server-side.
Confirm upload completed; use desktop or mobile apps to view.

Official Help Center References

https://help.dropbox.com/installs/troubleshoot-homepage

Troubleshooting dropbox.com loading issues.

Photo thumbnails or previews fail to load or display on Dropbox’s web interface. Quick Guide Refresh or log out/in on dropbox.com. Try another browser or use incognito mode. Clear cache and disable browser extensions. Wait—a server-side glitch might be affecting preview rendering. Common Causes Browser cache, plugins, or rendering problems. Temporary Dropbox server-side outage affecting previews . Files haven’t fully uploaded or synced correctly. Possible Fixes Clear cache or switch browser. Wait and try again later if issue is server-side. Confirm upload completed; use desktop or mobile apps to view. Official Help Center References https://help.dropbox.com/installs/troubleshoot-homepage Troubleshooting dropbox.com loading issues.

Error on Dropbox downloading folder from the web

You see errors like “The folder is too large to download” when trying to grab large folders via dropbox.com.

Quick Guide

Try downloading the folder via the desktop app instead of the web interface.
If web download is essential, split the folder into smaller parts (<250 GB).
Clear browser cache or use incognito mode / another browser.
Ensure there's enough local disk space before downloading.

Common Causes

Dropbox limits ZIP downloads to under 250 GB via the web.
Browser performance issues (cache, extensions).
Not enough local storage to unpack ZIPs.
Fails mid-download—browser drops connection.

Possible Fixes

Use the desktop app and selective sync to download large folders reliably.
Split large folders into smaller batches.
Download in incognito or clear cache.
Switch browsers or free up local disk space.

Official Help Center References

https://help.dropbox.com/sync/download-entire-folders

How to download files & folders (limits included)

You see errors like “The folder is too large to download” when trying to grab large folders via dropbox.com. Quick Guide Try downloading the folder via the desktop app instead of the web interface. If web download is essential, split the folder into smaller parts (<250 GB). Clear browser cache or use incognito mode / another browser. Ensure there's enough local disk space before downloading. Common Causes Dropbox limits ZIP downloads to under 250 GB via the web. Browser performance issues (cache, extensions). Not enough local storage to unpack ZIPs. Fails mid-download—browser drops connection. Possible Fixes Use the desktop app and selective sync to download large folders reliably. Split large folders into smaller batches. Download in incognito or clear cache. Switch browsers or free up local disk space. Official Help Center References https://help.dropbox.com/sync/download-entire-folders How to download files & folders (limits included)