I use the browser version of Dropbox exclusively, and am baffled as to why the speeds are so painfully slow. We have gigabit internet at our studio, and while very other browser-based activity, download or upload can utilise the full bandwidth (commonly seeing 80MBp/s down and upload - on wetransfer for example). Dropbox, however, will typically never go beyond 6MBp/s either way. And opening new browser windows for each file upload is tedious. We're paying for a business service here, and I dont see why the featurset of the browser version should be so neutered. If there's some sort of setting that's been overlooked I'd love to know. Thanks A

Hi Jay.Just an update on this. I have contacted Hyperoptic and they have confirmed that they in no way restrict traffic to Dropbox domains whatsoever. I would very much like to get to the bottom of this, as mentioned in the previous post, I'm paying for a business service that is performing well under expectations.Still currently seeing Upload and Download speeds cap out at 13MBps on a 100MBps connection

I am stuck at same 5MBps upload speed on browser? Any update?

Hi Jay, This is an issue that persists accross various browsers, ISPs and operating systems. I generally run Safari, but have tried on chrome and firefox, on a widows workstation, and on various other macs in the studio and in other locations with different ISPs. All of them are locked to a pretty constant 6MBps up or download speed in the browser version of dropbox. This isnt a connection issue either, as a couple of the machines are connected to the router via cat 6 ethernet and regularly achieve 80MBps up and download speeds on other sites and services. I doubt that the ISPs would be restricting only the dropbox domains- espeecially as Hyperoptic (one of my ISPs) advertise as a business service.

Even asking the browser to move files from one folder to another within dropbox (never downloading or uploading) takes forever. This isn't a bandwidth problem it is something else. IF I ever do get everything downloaded, I will be moving away from Dropbox because of performance, but hope to get some fixes here. (doubt it)

Hi there, which browser are you using? Have you tried using a different browser to see if this helps? Other things we recommend to test is to use incognito/private browsing mode without any extensions running, clearing your cache and even resetting your browser entirely. Lastly, there is a possibility that a proxy, VPN, firewall, security software, or even ISP/router issues that could be restricting traffic to the following Dropbox domains. Let us know how it goes!

Why is Dropbox Browser so slow? | The Dropbox Community

11 Replies

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Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
8 years ago
Hi there, which browser are you using?

Have you tried using a different browser to see if this helps?

Other things we recommend to test is to use incognito/private browsing mode without any extensions running, clearing your cache and even resetting your browser entirely.

Lastly, there is a possibility that a proxy, VPN, firewall, security software, or even ISP/router issues that could be restricting traffic to the following Dropbox domains.

Let us know how it goes!
LP_DB
Helpful | Level 5
8 years ago
Hi Jay,

This is an issue that persists accross various browsers, ISPs and operating systems.

I generally run Safari, but have tried on chrome and firefox, on a widows workstation, and on various other macs in the studio and in other locations with different ISPs.

All of them are locked to a pretty constant 6MBps up or download speed in the browser version of dropbox.

This isnt a connection issue either, as a couple of the machines are connected to the router via cat 6 ethernet and regularly achieve 80MBps up and download speeds on other sites and services.

I doubt that the ISPs would be restricting only the dropbox domains- espeecially as Hyperoptic (one of my ISPs) advertise as a business service.
Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
8 years ago
It’s worth asking them if there’s any restriction, or what speeds they on their end, since there are instances when Dropbox domains are specifically limited for these reasons.

We have dealt with cases where Dropbox domains were either completely blocked intentionally, accidentally, or purposely had their speed reduced, and it was ISP-based.
LP_DB
Helpful | Level 5
7 years ago
Hi Jay.
Just an update on this. I have contacted Hyperoptic and they have confirmed that they in no way restrict traffic to Dropbox domains whatsoever.
I would very much like to get to the bottom of this, as mentioned in the previous post, I'm paying for a business service that is performing well under expectations.
Still currently seeing Upload and Download speeds cap out at 13MBps on a 100MBps connection
droptool
Helpful | Level 5
7 years ago
I am stuck at same 5MBps upload speed on browser? Any update?
Daphne
Dropbox Community Moderator
7 years ago
Thanks for joining the discussion here droptool!

Have you had the chance to try the steps mentioned previously by Jay here?

Let me know what you find and we'll take it from there - cheers!
Sae_
New member | Level 2
5 years ago
Even asking the browser to move files from one folder to another within dropbox (never downloading or uploading) takes forever. This isn't a bandwidth problem it is something else. IF I ever do get everything downloaded, I will be moving away from Dropbox because of performance, but hope to get some fixes here. (doubt it)
RobinM
Helpful | Level 5
4 years ago
Same issue here. I create a file, but it never shows up. It's so incredibly frustrating. I'm googling now, a better alternative to dropbox. It's to expensive to cost me the time it does.
puananiila99
New member | Level 2
4 years ago
Here are some common reasons: The bandwidth of Dropbox is limited. To avoid affecting the network connection, Dropbox limits its speed by default when uploading files: compared to the original speed, the upload speed here is at around 75%. Problems in the network connection.
Sae_
New member | Level 2
4 years ago
So this sounds like it is by design, in which case we should have the ability to allow it to use all the bandwidth while we get something done. I appreciate the attempt at keeping overall experience good, but then (1) say you are doing so and (2) allow the defeat of this feature, at least within limits. I would gladly tick a "please use all my bandwidth" box overnight to download or upload some more massive data sets.