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There's a .canary file causing syncing issues on my Dropbox app.
Hey all! My local backup software failed out yesterday - it reported that there was a file in use in Dropbox. I poked around and found that ".canary" in my Dropbox cache was marked with the syncing icon (round blue arrows). There was also a file "canary.enabled", but that one seemed to be static.
When I delete the ".canary" file, it simply reappears. This file doesn't show up on my online account (natch).
I can see it on my two linked computers, my desktop (Win 11) and laptop (Win 10). Both are running app version 214.3.5104. I have a basic (free) account.
Anyone know what's going on with this canary file? Why can't I delete it? Where did it come from? I'd like to clear it so my local backup will run, but I'm also concerned that this might indicate a security issue, as I have no idea where this file came from.
Thanks for anything you can offer!
This problem, the canary file and folder can't be backed up because they're not accessible ... Has anyone come up with a simple effective solution to this problem.
You should be excluding the .dropbox.cache folder from your backups. There's no reason to back up this folder. It's a cache folder and contains no data that would be useful in the event of a restore.
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Hi Walter,
Uninstall completed with Revo-Uninstaller.
Re-install completed with Dropbox 216.4.4420.
Still the same problem.
Status says: Sync planned (and that does not change)I deactivated the firewall.
Then dubbelclicked the canary-file.
Message: RPC-Server not available...Hi Nancy,
Since the misery started after a recent update I got the idea to change some settings in "services" from automatically to manual... (see below!)I am not sure if there were made adaptations by the new install...
After I did that I saw your advice en re-installed like you said with the firewall disabled and now it seems to work alright!
No sync-issue anymore because the canary-file (I deleted before) has not automatically been put back...
The status of the C:\Users\ruite\Dropbox\.dropbox.cache now is:Question 1: Is this OK?
Question 2: Should I keep the settings in services like they are now since I changed them?
Or should I make other changes?
Hope you can give me advise what to do best...- Nancy
Dropbox Community Moderator
I’m glad to hear the file hasn’t reappeared so far! Now, as for your follow-up questions, I’d suggest an advanced reinstall as the next step (while your firewall/antivirus is still not running).
I wouldn’t advise on changing any services manually after that.
Hi Nancy,
Ït took me several hours to complete (exactly in conformity of the instructions) the advanced re-install...
Rather disappointing to see the 'pending' .canary-file came back...
I repeated the complete procedure, but when entering my account I cancelled the option for updates...
And now it is OK; No canary_enabled-file and no 'pending' .canary-file.I guess that canceling updates is not recommended.
What should I do:
Leave it like it is now?
Or should I change something in "Services"?
What is left in Services:Hi Jay,
What about the fact that I disabled "updates".
What (negative) consequences are there and how should I handle that?- Jay
If there are any security updates to the Dropbox desktop application, or new versions with new features, your app might no longer function correctly as it would be running an older version when compared to the live version.
The negative consequences of this would be unknown, and entirely at your own risk.
When I install dropbox with the update-feature failures (what this is all about) are included since the last "update"...
How do I know when a newer version doesn't have this issues?
But what is better: Do you have a method/solution for me how these failure can be avoided now?
