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Search not working
Dropbox search can’t find anything. The files, however, are there. How can I make Dropbox find them or reindex them???
- Solved. Miraculously the search tool is finding files again after going on an unexplained weeks-long holiday.
If anyone else experiences this problem, try waiting it out. 🤷♂️
I put a large photo collection in Dropbox to save space on my laptop. I access Dropbox exclusively through my web browser, not the app. Recently I reorganized some photos into new folders, and now they cannot be found using search. The files are there when I go into the folder, but it's like they are invisible to the Dropbox search tool. I thought it just might take some time for the folders to re-index, but its been several days and they still don't come up in search results. What's weird is that new photos that I upload to the folder are searchable, but the ones that I moved into the folder are not. I'm very frustrated and wondering if I have to download all the photos from these folders and re-upload them just to make them searchable, which would be a pain. I'm also frustrated as it seems that I should never reorganize anything or I will never be able to find it again using search. To be honest, I'm wondering if Dropbox was the right solution for my cloud storage needs and maybe I should have used a different platform.
SarahT123It's interesting to see your reply come in today because I posted this ages ago but yesterday was so frustrated again not to be able to find anything when using my computer finder. I'd think they'd be able to fix it by now. Dropbox is much superior by way of ease and organization but if you have to search out a file it's awful. I think you make an interesting point about moving the files. That definitely could be part of it. C'mon dbox_! Help us out and fix this.
Can someone from Dropbox help me?
Search problem is nowhere near resolved for me. In fact, now that I'm focusing on it, it just seems to be getting worse and worse.
Can somebody from Dropbox resolve my search issue like it supposedly resolved it for others in this chain?
- Yes, please. 🙋♀️ It needs fixing. There’s two reasons why some companies are choosing to use other cloud based apps. Price and this search bug crap. Yet, I know this has the potential of beating everything out there because for me it’s next level in ease with the app and folder organizing. But you remove that bonus when you can’t search your files. Dropbox needs to be searchable within dbox_ itself and from your finder. It used to be.
- Nancy
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hi everyone, I hope you’re doing well.
SarahT123, have you perhaps tried to switch browsers on your computer and see if the issue persists, when searching for the files you moved into your folders?
photogirl007, I can see above that Megan had asked you a couple of questions on this. Can you let me know what’s the syncing status and app version of your desktop app?
Finally, amcoffice, can you please clarify on which platform are you having trouble with file search? Is it the website/desktop app/mobile app?
Please Ticket Nos. 19064142, 19082558, and 19046051 - lots of my screenshots documenting problems in those. Since problems persist, I could create more screenshot proof but rather not.
In addition, problems are on DB desktop app, website, and iPhone app. I do not know for sure, but problems seem rooted in files added via desktop app and any files (no matter when or how uploaded) that moved or renamed from any platform.
To answer future questions I'm likely to get in response:
my interent connection is fantastic
website problems are the same in Chrome and Edge
I'm adding, moving, and renaming DB files in the same way I have for years
While I appreciate any response., given the multitude of problems just reported here, the questions are likely for Dropbox, not its customers.
I'd be crushed to know that the work I've put into creating my database the last years is now potentially useless if I can't search it to find my files/dox/photos for future projects. Please help your customers who'd rather Dropbox resolve this than change their storage vendor.
- Please see Ticket Nos. 19064142, 19082558, and 19046051, which include lots of my screenshots documenting problems. Since problems persist, I could create as many screenshots you need to document problem, but I'd rather not.
Problems are on DB desktop app, website, and iPhone app. I do not know for sure, but problems seem rooted in files added via desktop app and ANY files (no matter when or how uploaded) that are moved or renamed while in any platform.
To answer future questions I'm likely to get in response:
Dropbox desktop app seems up to date: version 159.4.5870
my interent connection is fantastic
website problems are the same in Chrome and Edge browsers
I have not changed the way I've added, moved, or renamed DB files for years
While I appreciate any response, given the multitude of problems (even just those reported here), the questions are likely for Dropbox, not its customers.
I'd be crushed to know that the work I've put into creating my database the last years is now potentially useless if I can't search it to find my files/dox/photos for future projects. Please help your customers who'd rather Dropbox resolve this than change their storage vendor.
- Walter
Hey amcoffice, thanks for the ticket IDs.
I've located them in our system and passed your comments on to the expert who's handling your case, so you should be hearing from them soon.
Let us know if you have anything else to add in the meantime.
When it comes to your issue now klundq1 - can you clarify if it happens with specific search terms or if this is affecting all of your search results?
yes it happens all the time. no specific search terms.
And basically only certain cases. I consistently will not find certain cases - for example I can always find Smith, John, but never ever Smith, James. They should both come up when I search Smith, but only John comes up. And it is always that same case that is missing, but I have other ones that are consistently missing too.
Thank you, Walter. I look forward to hearing from someone soon.
I've tried switching browsers and the search still doesn't work properly. I don't think it's a browser issue.
Hi Nancy & Megan , I switched computers this year but it wasn't working on my old one either. I currently am in Mac OS Montery 12.6 and previously was in Catalina. I am now on a 2021 16" Macbook Pro 16GB and prior was on a Macbook pro which I believe was 2017 and as stated was running Catalina. Plenty of memory as I had to run memory intensive apps like Photoshop and Lightroom and never had issues. Both laptop finders could not search Dropbox files. I think there might have been a short period of time it worked in the past year or so but it's been such a huge problem for so long I can't recall when it was. It does not search from the finder window or inside the app itself from the desktop. I have better luck on the mobile app.
Hope this is helpful. Sorry for the delay. Life is pretty busy at the moment. Which is why I need search to work even more so. Thank you!
- I still have issues finding folders created on certain days
Update:
Upon seeing the "resolve" I restarted and tried searching again and indeed more files are searchable. Hurray! I am not going to count this as a fix quite yet. It's been too difficult and I know better than to think it's over but I appreciate them trying to get it done. It just shouldn't have happened.
Exactly! I hate when dbox_ tries to blame the browser or the computer or version or user for something that everyone else has had issues with. It obviously is THEIR issue. Can you guys please just fix it and stop asking us all these nonsense details? The bottom line is this and I think most would agree... The search works in the mobile app. It does NOT work on the desktop app. It doesn't work in the browser. This has been through the past two macbook pro's and across Safari, Chrome, and Firefox. None of that matters. It doesn't matter what term you search for. Photos and screenshots will do nothing. You're just making us go through senseless hurdles. I'm on a very recent version of dropbox v162.2.2409 on a 16" 2021 Macbook Pro in Montery. before that I was in Catalina on a completely different system. It wasn't working then. However it WAS working about 4 or 5 years ago. So you guys are sliding backwards. Any fix suggestions would be appreciated. That's what we come here for. Thanks
