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Dropbox stuck indexing files
My Dropbox has been stuck indexing 1,694 files for the last few days. My Dropbox folder content is different on my home and work computers. And desktop folders "don't exist" online if I try to share...
Followed that procedure, logged out, and logged in. Files synced but now I have 2 Dropbox locations on my computer - one in my favorites bar, but the Dropbox under locations is now gone. I can go to it manually, but it has different content.
Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
Dropbox Community ModeratorIf the Dropbox folder is in the CloudStorage location in Locations, when it should be visible. Could you attach a screenshot showing what you're seeing in Finder?
The desktop app prompted an update, which I did. Dropbox once again migrated over to the cloud storage location. Everything seems synced up and working properly now. I'm guessing it was the "Fix Hardlinks" or "Fix permissions" suggestion that did the trick, followed by the update. Thanks.
Hello - I'm having the same issue as Dropbloke (and it seems many others), but the "hardlinks and permissions" advice seems (if I'm reading it correctly) to be specific to Windows. I'm running Mac OS 13.6.3 (Ventura), and it was with the OS update that my Dropbox syncing failed (on my desktop with the new OS, not on my laptop which has not been updated). The computer moved my Dropbox files into a "Location", after which files I update on my desktop no longer sync to the dropbox cloud (and my laptop no longer has access to them). Files I update on my laptop **do** sync to the cloud - but are no longer automatically updated on my desktop.
Please help! The desktop has been stuck "indexing" its 1235 dropbox files for several days, and while I can open the files locally, I need to access them on my laptop as well.
EDIT: I reread the hardlinks and permissions instructions and was able to do it on the Mac. Then restarted the computer - and now... the little cloud icons no longer appear next to the names of my files in the desktop folder, so that's something, but the indexing remains stuck at 1235 files.
What's next?
- Megan
Hey Benefiction, I'd be happy to help!
If I understand the issue correctly, it seems that your Mac moved to the File Provider for macOS structure, moving your Dropbox path in ~/Library/CloudStorage, right?
If so, then please keep in mind that following a migration to the new Dropbox for macOS on File Provider, your files need to be re-synced. Depending on the amount of files you have in your Dropbox, this may take some time to complete.
How long has this been happening for?
It might be worth checking out the troubleshooting steps outlined in this article .
Let me know more, and we'll take it from there!
Hi Megan - that's correct, yes - Library/CloudStorage is where the files are now (and showing as such when I open the Sync tab of my preferences.
The files have been stuck indexing since Monday at least (on 1236 files - interesting to note that it was 1235 files, but then I added a file on my laptop. I can't see the new file on my desktop, it doesn't show up in my folder, but it's there on the web browser version of Dropbox because my laptop is still syncing with the cloud - and the desktop at least recognizes that the file exists in the cloud, but it doesn't make any progress on indexing/syncing it) - I've since quit/relaunched, then reinstalled Dropbox, fixed hardlinks and permissions, and restarted my computer at every stage.
No sync issues are reported - just indexing indefinitely. I'll take a look at the troubleshooting steps in the article you linked.
- Megan
Hey Benefiction, thanks for the rapid response!
Yes, please if you could also check the article, that'd be amazing although you did a great job troubleshooting this on your end too.
If you could also follow these steps to unlink and relink your computer:
-Right-click the Dropbox icon in the system tray, or menu bar, by the clock.
-Click on your profile picture or initials to the right of the search bar, and select "Preferences".
-Select the Account tab.
-Click the "Sign Out" button in the Account tab.
-Your Dropbox will then prompt you to re-enter your account information. Well - this is fascinating. It seems to be working! Unlinking and relinking the computer has initiated a new sync, which is finally moving along. I can now see, on my desktop, the files that I updated this morning on my laptop (which I was not able to do before).
But... relinking the computer has synced all these files right back where they were before the ill-fated FileProvider / CloudStorage update! They're back in MacHD/Users/[username]/Dropbox. As far as I'm concerned, that's exactly where I want them (so long as the sync is working again), but... what was all this hullabaloo about this version of MacOS requiring me to relocate the files in Library/CloudStorage?
EDIT: Now, when I go into the Sync tab of my dropbox preferences, it states that I am not eligible for the File Provider update (which a week ago it insisted I undergo!). Again - completely fine, as it's syncing again. When I unlinked and relinked the computer it abandoned the Library/CloudStorage location. But the issue seems to have been resolved - I can update a file on my computer and the updated version will sync to my laptop, and vice versa. Thank you for your help, Megan!
- Megan
Hey Benefiction, sometimes upon unlinking, and re-linking the app this can happen.
It is a bit odd that it now states you're not eligible, however I'd be happy to look a bit into this, if that's something that you'd like.
All you have to do is let me know, and we'll jump right into this. In any case, I'm thrilled to know everything syncing-wise is back on track! 😎
