Forum Discussion

Bert M.'s avatar
Bert M.
New member | Level 1
11 years ago
Solved

Desktop app is stuck 'Starting' when it loads up and doesn't sync

I am a paying customer and very frustrated with Dropbox. I am ready to drop DropBox and look for other alternatives. Since Friday of last week it has been trying to sync 100Gb in files and it is ta...
desktop
Mac
sync
  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    8 years ago
    Reading through this thread, everyone seems to be experiencing similar and yet slightly different issues, so I’ll go through the general troubleshooting steps to fix all of them. 
     
    Feel free to stop whenever your app begins to sync normally, not all steps are needed.
     
    Install the stable version:

    The first thing we need is to be sure you’re running the stable version of the Dropbox desktop application, and not the beta.
     
    To do so uncheck the box next to "Early releases" here. Then, do an advanced reinstall to ensure that all beta functions are removed fully. 
     
    Instead of the download link on that page, I recommend using the offline installers for this purpose:

     

    Confirm there are no symlinks

     
    Secondly, if your app is fine, but it’s still starting, then it could be stuck in a loop trying to parse your symlinks. 
     
    What are these? Long story short for those not in the know, these are files or folder that refer to another file or folder in your Dropbox account, or even outside the Dropbox folder.
     
    This can include, but is not limited to, iPhoto/Photos library on Mac, system folders such as Documents/Pictures/Music/Downloads, databases, programming code, and many more.
     
    Removing these symlinks is vital since they can cause these issues, high CPU usage, and permissions problems.
     
    Follow step 7 on this article in order to detect the symlinks in your computer and remove any from your Dropbox folder. Generally, moving the specific files or folders to another location should remove the links.
     
    Check your internet connection

    Hilariously, this is more common than you think. You have a stable WiFi/ethernet connection to the web, other sites work, and yet the app isn’t connecting.
     
    If multiple users are having this problem on the same network, there is a possibility that a proxy, VPN, firewall, security software, or even ISP/router issues that could be restricting traffic to the Dropbox domains. 
     
    We can’t really narrow things down for you, since you need to check this out yourself as there are so many programs out there.
     
    We’ve had cases more often than not about built in security software on routers for home internet users, meant to protect users and children, but in doing so preventing the Dropbox desktop application from loading.
     
    Using a remote login

    Getting a black or white screen on the Dropbox app when you’re trying to sign in is a different issue.
     
    This usually occurs when using a remote login or even a virtual machine to another device. The graphics for remote logins are usually reduced in quality, and since the Dropbox desktop application connects to the Dropbox site to sign you in, it won’t render the login page in the app while on a remote login.
     
    Best thing to do would be to access the machine directly to login from there.
     
     
    ---
     
    Overall, there are many reasons for this cause, however hopefully this post should help in resolving most of the issues!
     
     

     

     

    [This thread is now closed. If you have a similar or new question, you can ask here.]

boazs's avatar
boazs
Explorer | Level 4
8 years ago

my dropbox stays on "starting" for about 45min - over an hour , then it stays on indexing for another 30min at least and only then starts to syncronize.

it happens only on one of my computers.

i tried to unlink and relink but with no improvement.

tried to temporary turn off the macaffe antivirus, but no improvment.

any suggestions?

Jane's avatar
Jane
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
8 years ago
Hey boazs, thanks for posting on the Dropbox Forum on the syncing issue you’ve experienced, I’m wishing you the best for 2018! 
 
- I agree with Sir_B’s advice, as s/he’s pointing you towards the right direction. Have you checked any background applications that may be accessing the Dropbox folder? These may kill syncing in the background.
 
- Secondly, could you check whether Dropbox is listed under the list of startup programs on your device? 
 
 #1. Right click the Dropbox icon in the system tray at the bottom right of your screen, by the clock on Windows, or menu bar at the top of your screen on Mac and Linux
#2. Click on the gear icon in the Notifications panel and select "Preferences" from the menu 
#3. Verify that the box next to "Start Dropbox on system startup" is checked.
 
If the issue persists, you can try using these links (Mac/ Windows) to check if Dropbox is listed as one of your Startup items or to add it to your Startup folder.
 
Please keep me updated on how the option above works for you, so as to send over the most relevant next steps! 
  • Shailen S.'s avatar
    Shailen S.
    Explorer | Level 4
    8 years ago

    It was also stuck on Starting. Then I closed everything and started again. Now, Dropbox is stuck on indexing, for the last 2 days - left my computer overnight. Following this tip, I tried to unlink my account, and Dropbox will then close itself, and not unlink at all. If I open my Dropbox again, it still tries to sync endlessly. This is madness. Those issues have been over 3 years now. Please do something. 

    • lallen's avatar
      lallen
      New member | Level 2
      8 years ago

      Trying to install drop box on some work machines for a project, but eachand everyone become stuck on "starting" with a black dialog box, ten machines in total. I found the soultion was to simply crash the software on PC. Go into taks manager and End the setup dropbox task. Dropbox starts syning and works. 

       

      Clearly a bug in the installer. 10 fresh installs with the same behaviour. 

      • Jay's avatar
        Jay
        Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
        8 years ago
        Reading through this thread, everyone seems to be experiencing similar and yet slightly different issues, so I’ll go through the general troubleshooting steps to fix all of them. 
         
        Feel free to stop whenever your app begins to sync normally, not all steps are needed.
         
        Install the stable version:

        The first thing we need is to be sure you’re running the stable version of the Dropbox desktop application, and not the beta.
         
        To do so uncheck the box next to "Early releases" here. Then, do an advanced reinstall to ensure that all beta functions are removed fully. 
         
        Instead of the download link on that page, I recommend using the offline installers for this purpose:

         

        Confirm there are no symlinks

         
        Secondly, if your app is fine, but it’s still starting, then it could be stuck in a loop trying to parse your symlinks. 
         
        What are these? Long story short for those not in the know, these are files or folder that refer to another file or folder in your Dropbox account, or even outside the Dropbox folder.
         
        This can include, but is not limited to, iPhoto/Photos library on Mac, system folders such as Documents/Pictures/Music/Downloads, databases, programming code, and many more.
         
        Removing these symlinks is vital since they can cause these issues, high CPU usage, and permissions problems.
         
        Follow step 7 on this article in order to detect the symlinks in your computer and remove any from your Dropbox folder. Generally, moving the specific files or folders to another location should remove the links.
         
        Check your internet connection

        Hilariously, this is more common than you think. You have a stable WiFi/ethernet connection to the web, other sites work, and yet the app isn’t connecting.
         
        If multiple users are having this problem on the same network, there is a possibility that a proxy, VPN, firewall, security software, or even ISP/router issues that could be restricting traffic to the Dropbox domains. 
         
        We can’t really narrow things down for you, since you need to check this out yourself as there are so many programs out there.
         
        We’ve had cases more often than not about built in security software on routers for home internet users, meant to protect users and children, but in doing so preventing the Dropbox desktop application from loading.
         
        Using a remote login

        Getting a black or white screen on the Dropbox app when you’re trying to sign in is a different issue.
         
        This usually occurs when using a remote login or even a virtual machine to another device. The graphics for remote logins are usually reduced in quality, and since the Dropbox desktop application connects to the Dropbox site to sign you in, it won’t render the login page in the app while on a remote login.
         
        Best thing to do would be to access the machine directly to login from there.
         
         
        ---
         
        Overall, there are many reasons for this cause, however hopefully this post should help in resolving most of the issues!
         
         

         

         

        [This thread is now closed. If you have a similar or new question, you can ask here.]

    • davidboxer's avatar
      davidboxer
      Helpful | Level 6
      8 years ago

      Yes, i have had the the same problems, and still got it, very disappointing, especially if one is setting up a working environment thinking the things work as u pay them. :( 

       

      • Jane's avatar
        Jane
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        8 years ago
        Hey davidboxer, apologies for the slight delay in replying! 
         
        I was able to run a search on my end & I could see that you’ve already been in touch with my colleague via email & they’re awaiting your reply. You may include all relevant details on this correspondence & they’ll do their best to help you, as they have direct access to all your account-specific info via this channel. 
         
        Of course, please do let me know if I could be of assistance in any way here & I’ll do my best to check back with you! 

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