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Dropbox won't sync after Sleep (v186.4.6207, macOS Sonoma 14.1)
I have an ongoing Support Ticket open for this issue. Support has been maddeningly slow to respond, hoping you guys have some ideas.
I've seen others post similar behaviour, but here it is again: Dropbox refuses to sync after MacBook Pro wakes from sleep. Pausing / Resuming syncing has no effect, and neither does quitting / restarting the app. The only thing that works is fully restarting the computer, but frankly that's an unacceptable workaround in this day and age. I'm running v186.4.6207 of the desktop app and macOS Sonoma 14.1, although the issue was present in macOS Ventura as well as Big Sur.
As noted by other users, upon opening the computer, DB will say it's Syncing... and initially display the amount of data it needs to sync. After a brief time, that data info on the right of the box will disappear and will just say Syncing... forever — until I restart the whole computer. I've seen a number of people speculate that issue is related to the macOS File Provider API, and the Big Sur switch corresponds to when I started noticing the issue.
This MacBook Pro is one of two computers I run, the other being a Mac Studio at work. I regularly bounce files back and forth, working locally on the MBP when I'm home and then logging into the Studio to render (I work in motion graphics). The issue is NOT present on the Studio, despite the machine going to sleep when not in active use. But if I close the lid of the MBP for any length of time longer than a brief instant, Dropbox stops syncing and won't resume without a restart.
Really hoping someone has figured out what this is!
12 Replies
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Hi Walter,
Thanks for the reply. The ticket # is 22843980. I'm guessing links are frowned upon, but the support agent asked that I make a screen recording of the behaviour. I did in fact make one, but it was a 7 minute video and much too big to upload to the support portal. They also informed me that they were not allowed to view external links. Regardless, here it is: removed
To answer your questions re: third party apps. The issue is present regardless of what's running. Right now, the only thing I have open is Safari (to post this reply) and Dropbox is caught in its limbo syncing loop.
- Megan
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hi NJSS1975, sorry to jump in here!
I removed your shared link for privacy and security reasons.
I was also able to locate your ticket number, and increased its priority. The agent working on your case will get back to you with further steps, as soon as possible.
Kindly keep an eye out, and let me know if you don't see an update soon.
I understand the need to remove the link., no worries.
Is there anyway to safely share that screen recording to either support or the Community?
Any update on this? I'm having the exact same problem.
It still happens pretty regularly. Here's my workaround:
Launch Activity Monitor and click on Network. Sort by Name, look for DropboxFileProvider. Force Quit that **bleep**. If the Dropbox app is running, it will immediately create a new instance and sync should resume. At least it's been working for me.
Good luck!
I'll give that a try, thanks!
Hi NJSS1975
I've been experiencing exactly the same issue on a MacBook Air. I'm so glad it's not just me that's being driven mad with this issue.
Huge thanks for the work-around. Killing the DropboxFileProvider process seems to kick everything back into life without the need to restart the whole **bleep** laptop every time, so thanks for that.
I assume Dropbox are no nearer a permanent fix for this issue?
