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Berlin's avatar
Berlin
Explorer | Level 4
3 years ago
Solved

Syncing data stuck for weeks (beta M1)

I use Dropbox on two Mac M1 machines. 459 files do not sync (stuck in this state for >2 weeks). 
Problem: I don't have access to my recent files. As a small business owner, I can't rely on having access to the data I need if taking my laptop with me. 

 

Further, I often get error messages: either a) unable to start dropbox at the start (starting it manually, yes) b) file not found if I open pdfs in preview. The second time I clicked on them, they opened after a long time - while I marked them all for download to the machine. I think about transitioning to GDrive if there is no fix for this. I need to rely on the basic function of Dropbox and pay for this, but it does not work with the beta anymore. 

 

What I have done: 

*quit dropbox

* restarted the machine
* deinstall dropbox + restart + new install 5x >> same problem

 

additional info:

  • I use Dropbox private plus
  • Dropbox folder /Users/USER/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox
  • Use of latest beta version (installed months ago, should have indexed by now 😉
  • Machine M1 Pro 2021 M1 Max 32GB Ventura 13.2 (with Dropbox problems)
  • Machine M1 Pro 2021 M1 MacMini 16 GB 1TB Ventura 13.2 (without Dropbox problems)
  • Hi Berlin, can I send you a ticket, in order for us to have a closer look into this? 

10 Replies

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    3 years ago

    Hey Berlin, sorry to hear about your syncing issue.

     

    Can you please send us a screenshot of the app's exact status and version as shown in your menu bar on the affected device?

     

    Have you tried fixing your hardlinks and permissions as outlined here since you noticed this by the way?

     

    Keep me posted!

  • Berlin's avatar
    Berlin
    Explorer | Level 4
    3 years ago

    Beta: V168.3.4773

     

    Thanks for sharing. I did not know about the hardlink functionality yet. Tried and + restarted, but no change to sync status

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    3 years ago

    If syncing gets stuck at the exact same number again, please send me a screenshot of the app's exact status so that we can have a visual too Berlin 

     

    Thanks so much!

  • Berlin's avatar
    Berlin
    Explorer | Level 4
    3 years ago

    Still stuck in sync mode. Now it is 460 files with no progress. It makes cross-device work impossible as files are not in sync. I am really worried about losing critical business data. What can I try to make it work?

  • Berlin's avatar
    Berlin
    Explorer | Level 4
    3 years ago

    Dear dropbox team. I urgently need a solution to my problem by 2023-02-24. For an important business trip, I need my files to be in sync on my MacBook and MacMini (basic dropbox functionality to work). Currently, many folders I changed on MacMini don't show in the same way on MacBook, but are remain in a month-old status. Please help. What can I do to make this work? I am afraid of rolling back from beta to suffer data loss. What steps can you suggest moving forward? Many thanks.

  • Berlin's avatar
    Berlin
    Explorer | Level 4
    3 years ago

    Can anyone help? I can't believe that there is no solution to this. Feels like dealing with Windows 98 back in the day. Very disappointed by Dropbox as a long-term customer. How can it be that something basic and essential for business such as synching files does not work? I am dealing with two very different sets of files on two computers by now that should be in sync. I really hope this does not lead to a loss of data ...

  • Megan's avatar
    Megan
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    3 years ago

    Hi Berlin, can I send you a ticket, in order for us to have a closer look into this? 

  • Berlin's avatar
    Berlin
    Explorer | Level 4
    2 years ago

    I have the same problem all over again after doing major file system changes within my dropbox 

    It is stuck synching at 169 files. All files online are not synced yet. 

     

    versions

    v187.3.5526 dropbox beta 

    maxbook pro sonoma 14.1 all updates installed (m1 max)

     

    I tried already to unlink hardlinks and correct notifications as well as all other options highlighted in this and other posts here. 

     

    Can you send me another ticket, please?

  • Hannah's avatar
    Hannah
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    2 years ago

    Hey Berlin, sorry to hear about this.

     

    Can you follow these steps, to see if Dropbox has full disk access?

     

    Make sure to check the other troubleshooting steps as well, to see if they help.

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