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bolehill's avatar
bolehill
Explorer | Level 4
8 years ago
Solved

Files and folders not syncing across and within devices

I am using Dropbox basic (only 5.2% of space used) on version 53.4.67.

 

I have it installed for two users on the same desktop PC and also on an iPad.  I have had to change the PC recently, so I have re-installed DB on this new PC.  On my main account, I have unlinked the old PC (which no longer exists).  As both users on the PC and on the iPad, I sign in to DB with e-mail address and password.

 

None of the changes I have made to files in my Dropbox folder in the last 24 hours are syncing across to other users - not even between the two users on the same Windows 10 PC.

 

I know this becasuse, in the last 2 hours, I have, on the principal user device:

deleted one file - not been deleted on the other two devices;

added a new sub folder - not been added to the other two devices;

added a new file with a name different to any other file in the DB folder - not been added to the other two devices.

 

I use DB mainly to make changes to music related files, share them with the iPad, and then access them offline in remote locations.  I need to do this again within a week, so if this is not solved by then, I am stuffed.

Why is there no opportunity to do a 'manual' sync, or force a sync?

 

Given that DB is about sharing the latest same version of files between devices and it is not actually doing this, then it is currently totally useless as far as I am concerned.

 

Help!!!

Delete
desktop
Dropbox Basic
sync
  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    8 years ago
    The Dropbox icon in the system tray doesn’t have the green tick any more, so as long as it’s white, it’s considered ‘fully synced’.
     
    The lack of green ticks on your Dropbox folder however is concerning. It could be to do with the 15 icon overlay limit in Windows, or it could mean that the app isn’t running correctly somehow.
     
    Since the folders from one PC are not appearing on the Dropbox site, it means that it simply isn’t uploading any changes. Reinstalling the Dropbox software should fix this, and by following this link you can get the latest version.
     
    One last thing to check out is what email is signed in on both accounts:
     
    • On your computers, click on the small Dropbox icon in your menu bar or system tray. Click on the gear in the Notifications panel. Click on Preferences, then click on Account.
    • On iOS, open your Dropbox app and tap on "Settings". 
    • On the Dropbox website, click on your name in the top right corner.
     
    If the emails are different, this would be the reason why changes aren’t syncing, since they’re different accounts.
     
    Keep me posted!

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  • Roulan's avatar
    Roulan
    Explorer | Level 3
    3 years ago

    I have a family account that I share with my wife and daughter.  When my wife uploads from her laptop, it is not syncing with any other device.  She is logged in to both her laptop and work PC.  When she uploads a document with her work PC (or I upload with mine) the documents sync correctly. 

     

    I have tried restarting the app and rebooting the laptop but that has not worked.

  • Hannah's avatar
    Hannah
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    3 years ago

    Hey Roulan, thanks for letting us know about this.

     

    Can you check the sync status and version of the Dropbox app on the laptop?

     

    You can hover over the Dropbox icon to see this info.

     

    Also, if you check the account on dropbox.com, do you see the files there?

  • Roulan's avatar
    Roulan
    Explorer | Level 3
    3 years ago

    Thank you for the response! 

     

    The Dropbox icon says "Up to Date" and the files do not appear via the web application.

  • Hannah's avatar
    Hannah
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    3 years ago

    Thanks for the update, Roulan!

     

    Can you give us a couple of example file names that are not syncing?

     

    Do they contain any of the characters here?

  • Roulan's avatar
    Roulan
    Explorer | Level 3
    3 years ago

    Here are the file names I've tried:

     

    test.xlxs

    test.docx

     

  • Hannah's avatar
    Hannah
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    3 years ago

    Thanks Roulan!

     

    Can you try reinstalling the Dropbox app on the laptop (without uninstalling it), to see if that helps?

     

    You can use this link to reinstall it.

  • sunnybrook's avatar
    sunnybrook
    New member | Level 2
    3 years ago

    My computer is not synching with my android pixel7 phone

    chatbot instructions not helpful

    I am 77 and as far as I know synching used to work

    saved a test file to computer db and does not appear on phone

  • Hannah's avatar
    Hannah
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    3 years ago

    Sorry to hear that, sunnybrook, but let's see what we can find!

     

    Did the test file you added, sync to your account online?

     

    Also, what's the sync status and version of the Dropbox application on your computer?

     

    You can hover over your Dropbox icon to see this info.

  • sunnybrook's avatar
    sunnybrook
    New member | Level 2
    3 years ago
    I kept trying a variety of things and now synching. I haven't a clue.
    Unfortunately would not know how to respond to your questions.
    Thanks for responding.
    Not sure how I got logged on to respond
  • Hannah's avatar
    Hannah
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    3 years ago

    No worries, sunnybrook, at least your devices are now in sync with each other and the issue is resolved.

     

    If you need anything else, don't hesitate to let us know.

     

    Have a great day!

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