Force render issues (raw=1) and shared links won't work for hosting.

Hello! I've been using dropbox as a file hosting for my website for a couple months with no issues. My web is stored on Firebase, and it has React elements (I called them Songcards) that allow me to play or download those files on the go. Suddenly, it stopped working. I can't play them, but the download button still redirects me to the proper website, where I can play or download them. Only the <audio> tag and its src property aren't working as they should. I'll provide some screenshots along with a portion of the code that I tested on a different component just to simplify what I'd show to you and remove anything unnecessary.

The right numbers should provide information about song length and the play button should play the file. However, only the download button is working, and it redirects to the download web

You can try the download itself by using the link on the code block.

I'd love any kind of help, since it's something I've been using on a daily basis since a few months ago, and I'm paying for a high storage limit so I can store them all. Thank you!

import React from 'react'; import { useRef } from 'react'; export const Test = () => {    const audioRef = useRef();    const link = 'https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/bvmwih1pkzkf66bgdwnfg/Lugia-s-Song-Efecto.mp3?rlkey=lzdbe331pb58wvorcja32onx1&st=ypmco4i1&raw=1';    const handlePlay = () => {        audioRef.current.play();    };    return (        <div className='position-relative d-flex flex-column align-items-center mt-5'>            <button onClick={handlePlay}>                Play            </button>            <button onClick={() => { window.open(link, "_blank") }}>                Download            </button>            <audio                ref={audioRef}                src={link}                type="audio/mpeg"            />        </div>    ); } export default Test;

This topic https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Create-upload-and-share/I-have-an-xml-file-which-i-share-with-my-own-smart-TV-app-but-it/td-p/756901/ indicates that raw=1 should work (it broke and was fixed again). It's a 302 redirect which has been re-introduced.

Actually I don't see the difference between sharing a hosted file and serving a hosted file.

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kelvinb wrote:

The links are still valid and videos are working in dropbox, just not where embedded. Has something changed or is there a problem with dropbox?

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I suspect Dropbox is actively blocking it - Dropbox isnt and never was a hosting platform. They have done this previously and so I wouldnt be shocked if they did it again.

It seems like something has actively changed on Dropbox as videos are not rendering either now (see here). However as Dropbox is NOT a hosting tool this is not unexpected - they have previously done similar to stop people using Dropbox as a web host, so, my guess is that this may be the same again.

Thanks for reply. yes, if I put the link in for exembel vcl media player it plays the video its only on my websites its not working

As Dropbox isnt a hosting tool, it is possible they are actively blocking the rendering of the sites (they have done this previously). Do the links work if you just use the links and not on a web page?

Similar (maybe even identical) to this issue: https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Create-upload-and-share/Force-render-not-working-on-a-Wordpress-site/m-p/768178

I have posted videos on my wordpress websites. it worked fine until now. I have changed the last part of the link to raw=1 videos that are uploaded on the site work fine and also videos from google drive. it's the same problem on all my websites

Same problem here. Directly passing the link into the browser works. Rendering the files as part of another website does not.
Everything uploaded before the new link change renders fine. Every file that has the new link (with the "rlkey=" in the URL) breaks and cannot be rendered.  Filetypes (jpg/png/mp3) is exactly the same. The only difference is the URL structure. Happens on any platform I use (gallery platforms with html displays/boxes, google docs and sheets, etc) as well as in any browser I tried with the latest versions and cache cleared (Firefox, Chrome, Opera).

Hi Jay,

I had already found that document and tried dl=1 and raw=1 with no luck.
I didn't try replacing www with dl as it says :-

<<<<<<

While we don't "officially" list these anymore in our Help Center, we are continuing to support them for now.  

>>>>>>

However , I have just tried it and it works fine BUT this means going all the way back to June 2023 and changing all my links , not knowing how long it will be supported.
I really need the www /scl/ to work as it did a few days ago.

Thanks
John