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gmhyslop's avatar
gmhyslop
New member | Level 1
2 months ago
Solved

I update files on both my computers, but they're not syncing with each other.

Hi all, I have devices linked to my own dropbox account -- one is my work desktop and the other is my laptop. I had no problem reading all the files on both computers until this year. Now, suddenly, whatever I do on one computer doesnt sync to the other, and vice versa. 

  • Rich's avatar
    Rich
    2 months ago
    gmhyslop wrote:

    But the new ones I make on the laptop dont show on the dropbox website. So it seems the problem is with my laptop. Any ideas what it could be?

    First thing to check is that both copies of Dropbox are signed in with the same account. Go into Preferences in each one and make sure the email addresses match.

    If they match, check the sync status on the laptop. Hover your cursor over the Dropbox icon in your system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac) and see if it says Up to Date or if it indicates a problem.

5 Replies

  • Rich's avatar
    Rich
    Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
    gmhyslop wrote:

    Now, suddenly, whatever I do on one computer doesnt sync to the other, and vice versa.

    Can you see the files on the Dropbox website?

    Create a test file on each computer. Name one TEST1 and the other TEST2 or something similar. Make note of which file was created on which computer. Give them a moment to sync and then check the Dropbox website for the files. Which files show up on the site?

  • gmhyslop's avatar
    gmhyslop
    New member | Level 1

    Oh, good question. I just checked and they arent showing up there either. I wonder what I am doing wrong? Edited to add they are showing up from my work desktop. But the new ones I make on the laptop dont show on the dropbox website. So it seems the problem is with my laptop. Any ideas what it could be?

    • Rich's avatar
      Rich
      Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
      gmhyslop wrote:

      But the new ones I make on the laptop dont show on the dropbox website. So it seems the problem is with my laptop. Any ideas what it could be?

      First thing to check is that both copies of Dropbox are signed in with the same account. Go into Preferences in each one and make sure the email addresses match.

      If they match, check the sync status on the laptop. Hover your cursor over the Dropbox icon in your system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac) and see if it says Up to Date or if it indicates a problem.

  • gmhyslop's avatar
    gmhyslop
    New member | Level 1

    Thank you! It turns out that somehow dropbox hadnt been engaged (not sure if it is the right word) on my mac. It wasnt appearing in the menu bar on top. So I opened the application and then the icon on the top appeared and a million things started to sync. Huge thanks for helping me figure it out!!

    • T_theresa_A's avatar
      T_theresa_A
      Icon for Community Manager rankCommunity Manager

      Hi gmhyslop and welcome to the Dropbox Community 🤗. I'm Theresa one of the Community Managers here at Dropbox HQ 👩‍💻.

      So glad to hear Rich got this sorted for you. It sounds like everything is back on track with syncing now.

      Out of curiosity, what do you use Dropbox for on the daily? Anything interesting? 🤔 I might be able to help with productivity tips. Or maybe you have an idea or trick you'd like to pass along to our internal team. I always love hearing how our Community members use Dropbox 🙌😊

      T 😸 (Dropbox Community Manager)