Need to see if your shared folder is taking up space on your dropbox 👨💻? Find out how to check here.
Forum Discussion
Solved
How to find what files are syncing
One of my computers has been syncing two files for days. Yet, all my subdirectories and files have the green icon to show they have synced. Even the hidden files appear O.K.
I have tried the usual steps like: rebooting, turning Dropbox off/on, uninstalling/reinstalling Dropbox, pausing/restarting Dropbox etc.
My question is how do you determine what the two files are that don't seem to sync?
Hey Darryl B.3, I hope you're well today!
Usually, if the files are still trying to sync, they would appear with the syncing icon
. The folder that these files are within will also show the syncing icon through the entire file path.If none of your top level folders are showing this icon, then I'd suggest trying the steps below to see if that resolves the "Syncing" status for you:
- Click the Dropbox icon in your system tray/menu bar.
- Click the profile pic/initials icon in the top right of the window.
- Choose "Preferences..."
- Go to the "Account" tab.
- While holding the alt+H keys (for Windows) or Option/Alt key (for Mac), click "Fix Hardlinks".
If this doesn't resolve the issue, please follow the steps again and instead click "Fix permissions".
I hope this helps, let me know how it goes!
Mod note: updated steps and link in post [last update 2023]
55 Replies
Replies have been turned off for this discussion
Thanks for your quick reply Lori.
I have no memory of turning early releases on, but as a long-time user, maybe I forgot from a long time ago. I turned that off, then installed dropbox with the result that my version is now 132.4.3800.
Still no extra options on Settings - Account tab in response to alt-h or space bar; nor any errors listed in response to View Sync Issues.
Any other ideas?
- Megan
Dropbox Community Moderator
Thanks, again, Lori.
Yes I reviewed that long list of things to try before posting here. I've done all the steps possible. Yes I have disk space. Yes I have an internet connection. Yes, I reinstalled the Dropbox app. Yes, I have restarted the app and the computer. Yes, I have given it plenty of time to update. Yes, other files I save to synchronized folders get updated within a few seconds.
No, I have not checked the filename for invalid characters. No, I have not checked to be sure the file is not locked as in-use by another application. No, I have not checked to be sure the file is not read-only. Because the Dropbox just says status "Syncing..." and "No errors" for both personal and business Sync Issues. So, I have no clue at all what file(s) is(are) the problem.
A
- MeganCan you send me a few screenshots, WilliamB13?
It'll help me to have a visual of what you see on your end.
Thanks! Hi Lori,
IDK how that will help, but sure.
The Dropbox system notification area icon looks like this:
The Dropbox system notification icon mouseover:
Right click Dropbox system icon - click person icon in upper right corner - click view sync issues and get this:
Right click Dropbox system icon - click person icon in upper right corner - click preferences - click account and get this:
Right click Dropbox system icon - click person icon in upper right corner - click preferences - click Sync - click Personal and get this:
Then click PROTO (my business account) and get this:
- MeganThank you so much for the screenshots, WilliamB13!
Keep in mind that you're still using the Beta version 133.3.4085.
That could be causing your syncing throttle.
Have you turned early releases off, then downloaded our stable version using this link? Hi Lori,
Now I seem to be at 133.4.4089. How can I tell if I'm on a beta release?
I did turn off early releases and reinstall. I'll do that again and let you know what happens.
First time I turned off early releases, I followed that by reinstalling DropBox. It is not at all clear when a beta release is being used. But the reinstall must have seen a beta was in use and installed another beta.
I checked and found that early release was unselected (off).
Next I uninstalled dropbox. Then installed afresh, being careful to install with same options so thousands of files don't download to a new place.
After that installed, I could get access to the extra buttons on Preferences - Account tab by alt-h
although right now I alt-h, again does nothing on that tab
After letting synchronize work for a long time, I clicked on the two buttons referenced in a much earlier message in this thread to fix things like hardlinks and something else. That did not seem to do anything.
Eventually the synchronizing finished with some errors. The sync errors listed several folders. I tried making them not readonly. That did not help.
It would sure help if the sync errors listed the full path of the files or folders with problems, not just the name. Some had many occurrences.
rebooted and restared DropBox on my PC a bunch of times throughout the above.
I turned off selective sync for the problem folders.
Then reselected those folders. That fixed the errors.
Good Day
I get "Uploading 3 files..." for the last couple of days.
Also I do not have the "Support features" line so I cannot "Fix hardlinks" or "Fix Permissions"
Two of my folders show blue icons, but all the contents of each folder show green icons.
My Dropbox version is v159.4.5870
Thank you
Regards
Daniel.
- Jackson
Hello there djmalan, thank you for posting.
To access Fix Permissions and Fix Hardlinks, you need to:
- Click on the Dropbox icon that exists near the time or the WiFi symbol.
- Then click on your avatar on the small window that will pop up (the avatar is either a picture you've selected, or the initials of the account).
- Then hit Preferences.- Then hit Account.
- Click on empty space and hold Alt + H. That should show the options.
After you give a bit of time to sync, can you send me a screenshot of the syncing status?
Thank you!
