Hey there. I currently use Dropbox for sharing files and upload my files mostly using the desktop app, which uses my full internet connection of 1Gbps, usually easy and no errors. My main issue: Some of my peers also use dropbox and will send me upload requests and vice/versa. These apparently can only be done through a browser, at least I haven't found a way to use the app yet, which takes absolutely ages. I've tried using different browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Opera) or different machines (Win11, Mac and a linux distro) and it will not change how fast it goes. Also this connection is frequently dropped and the uploader shows as if all the files are uploaded, but when checking we see that some files are missing, sometimes a lot, sometimes a few. Is there a way to use the desktop app to share files with someone else's dropbox link? If not, is there are way to make the browser upload faster? I use a few other services that require browser uploading (WeTransfer, Vimeo, Youtube, Pixieset, GoogleDrive) and Dropbox is the only one that is slow. I just did a test of uploading 700 raw photos and it took the desktop app a little over 3 minutes while the browser still has over 45 minutes to go. Thanks anyone for the help, I couldn't find anything anywhere about this, hopefully is fixable!

Welcome aboard the forum, @solisoli! If you’ve received a file request, then it’s only possible to upload files via your web browser, I’m afraid. Are you having an issue if you break your uploads into smaller chunks? Also, have you tried uploading via an incognito window instead? Does that seem to help at all? Finally, please keep in mind that depending on the sender’s plan, you’ll be able to upload a specific size of files each time via file request. Keep me posted for more updates.

Hey, I haven't tried doing smaller chunks, but the sizes vary in between. These are all photos, so they're around 18-25mb a piece. I also upload videos which are around 600mb to 4gb. All of these have the same speeds, very slow. Yeah, one of the first things I tried was incognito. Didn't change. The sender's plan is either business or professional, they receive from different people in the same manner.

Hey solisoli, sorry to jump in here. Are all your devices connected to the same network? Have you tried using a different one, to see if that has any effect on the upload speed?

I also now find web uploads extremely slow since the new interface. Uploading a 4GB now takes over 45 minutes when it used to only take around 10 minutes. It never used to be like this. It starts off fast but then slows to a crawl when it's reaches over 100MB uploaded. The CPU is also maxed out. This is using the browser with just the Dropbox website open with no other tabs or windows open.

Hey Timothy H.1, can you send me a screenshot of the CPU usage you’re seeing, when uploading files to the Dropbox website? Also, to clarify, you don't have the desktop app installed on your computer, right?

Extremely slow uploads using browser

28 Replies

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jakison
New member | Level 2
6 months ago
Dropbox file requests only work through the browser, and there’s no current support for handling them, via the desktop app . One workaround: ask your peers to share a regular folder with edit access instead of using the file anytimeplumbing.net request feature .
solisoli
Explorer | Level 3
6 months ago
Hey, 2 years ago I made this post: https://www.dropboxforum.com/discussions/101001014/extremely-slow-uploads-using-browser/729224?after=MjUuNHwyLjF8aXwxMHw1MjoxfGludCw3MjkyMzYsNzcwODI0
It is still occurring. Files are very slow when uploading through a browser. I have since moved to a different computer and a different internet provider, using 2gbps up/down. An identical folder in size will take 5 minutes with the file upload software but if you're using a link someone requested an upload it takes 3 hours.
I've since moved my services elsewhere, but other companies I work with still use dropbox and it still the weakest link.
Please find a way to fix it or make a way to upload files through the app for requests.
solisoli
Explorer | Level 3
11 months ago
Hey there. Original poster here. I encountered this problem 2 years ago. It still exists, has not been fixed or looked at. In fact all posts about it just put the blame on the users. I have been successfully using other upload providers and they work with proper internet speeds. If you have files you need to get around fast, dropbox is not the choice anymore. I recommend the one that starts with G and B.
jmoore23
Explorer | Level 3
2 years ago
Hi Megan yes I’ve tried three different browsers all newest versions , are there settings that would limit uploads just for Dropbox and not google drive , maybe I’ll try to upload some stuff on some free storage and compare and get back to the forum
Megan
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
Hey jmoore23, have you made sure your browsers are all updated, and that they're not using some short of plug-ins that could be interfering with Dropbox?
jmoore23
Explorer | Level 3
2 years ago
Hi Nancy, I haven’t tried incognito window at all. I’ve tried three different browsers. It’s all the same i’ve tried doing it from my iPhone and it’s much faster which is strange because it’s on WiFi and the pc is Ethernet
Nancy
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
jmoore23, is the experience consistent if you use a different browser instead or an incognito window?
jmoore23
Explorer | Level 3
2 years ago
Im having the same issue im uploading a 7 gig video its taking 45 min, if i try to upload the same file in google drive at the same time mind you it takes 4 min , soooooooooooo im pretty sure its not my pc or isp any other suggestions?
Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
Hi solisoli, it sounds like you have something affecting your upload speed that we're unable to determine the root cause.

It could be traffic shaping by your ISP, or another security service on your network or device causing this. Have you been in contact with your ISP directly regarding this matter?
solisoli
Explorer | Level 3
2 years ago
This was never resolved by the way, dropbox is still the slowest cloud service I use.
I can upload 100gbs to wetransfer in around 110 minutes and it takes 3300 on dropbox.