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wendy_mugridge's avatar
wendy_mugridge
Helpful | Level 6
5 years ago
Solved

Can't sync (not enough space)

I am experiencing messages that my hard drive is full. I use a Mac Mini. My harddrive is not full at all. I cannot open Word files that are stored in Dropbox:

Word experienced an error trying to open the file.

Try these suggestions.

* Check the file permissions for the document or drive.

* Make sure there is sufficient free memory and disk space.

* Open the file with the Text

 

I am receiving messages that my outlook has to close because there is not enough space.

 

I am unable to install the latest MAC update as it says it does not have enough space to install.

 

when I right-click on folders that are stored on Dropbox and look at Smartsync, where I've chosen On-line only no longer has a checkmark beside it. It seems to be confused about Local, which I don't want and don't have selected. The syncing isn't working because it says there is not enough space to do it. So I just keep going around in circles.

 

Thank you.

desktop
Mac
Space and storage
Storage space
sync
  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    5 years ago
    Since the app isn't signed into any Dropbox account, you can leave it like that and uninstall the app if you no longer want to use Dropbox on your computer. 

    As it looks like you have very little space left on your hard drive, and that you're a member of a Dropbox Business team given the name of the folder, there's probably a lot of data trying to sync down to your Mac.

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  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    5 years ago
    Hi wendy_mugridge, thanks for joining the Community!

    If you have folders and files that are already marked as online-only, then they shouldn't take up any space on your machine.

    Could you check that the 'Smart Sync update for Mac' setting is enabled on this page, and then reboot the device to see if this helps?

    Keep me updated with any progress!
    • wendy_mugridge's avatar
      wendy_mugridge
      Helpful | Level 6
      5 years ago

      I went to the preferences page, turned that feature on, and rebooted.  Thank for you that.

       

      I had uninstalled Dropbox from my mac so I will reinstall. As of right now, I can only view file listings in Dropbox through finder, but no file will open.

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    5 years ago
    Most likely it's because those files were online-only, so they aren't actually located on the machine. 

    When the app is installed, opening the files would allow them to download from the site so you can preview and edit them.
    • wendy_mugridge's avatar
      wendy_mugridge
      Helpful | Level 6
      5 years ago

      I've tried installing the app and it says I don't have enough space! I feel like I'm going around in circles.

      Thanks.

      • Jay's avatar
        Jay
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        5 years ago
        Have you tried freeing up some space on your computer before installing the Dropbox desktop application?

        How much hard disk space you have on the machine?

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