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joshbreindel's avatar
joshbreindel
New member | Level 1
2 years ago
Solved

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!

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  • Rich's avatar
    Rich
    7 months ago
    Johnxi wrote:

    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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  • WokeDucks's avatar
    WokeDucks
    New member | Level 1
    11 months ago

    Hello Walter,
    Thanks for your reply.
    I cannot add a pdf-file.
    Hope that 2 printscreens make it OK

     

  • Walter's avatar
    Walter
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    11 months ago

    Hey WokeDucks - sorry to hear about this. Can you send us a screenshot of how it looks on your end so that we can have a visual too?

    Also, what is your computer's exact OS version and the version and status of the Dropbox desktop app as shown in your system  tray? 

  • WokeDucks's avatar
    WokeDucks
    New member | Level 1
    11 months ago

    Same problem here.
    Started after the recent dropbox-update...
    When deleted files are replaced automatically...
    I cannot trace the origin of the file, but there are mentionings:
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Dropbox\Client\217.3.4297\driver_amd64
    Annoying that the sync is planned, but keeps waiting/pending for days now...

     

  • joshbreindel's avatar
    joshbreindel
    New member | Level 1
    2 years ago

    Thanks for the reply!  I was afraid this wasn't a Dropbox file...

    Interstingly, I have the app on three computers - the two personal ones I mentioned above and on my work computer.  I checked my work computer today, and that ".canary" file ISN'T on my work computer and IS on my two homes ones!

    Any additional ideas greatly appreciated!

  • Mark's avatar
    Mark
    Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
    2 years ago

    That isnt a Dropbox file, it sounds like you are using a work device? And if so that file is part of the security software/settings of the employer to help detect unauthorised access and use. 

    Have a look at https://help.eset.com/glossary/en-US/canary_file.html

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