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andy03's avatar
andy03
Helpful | Level 5
3 years ago
Solved

Upload app sync speed is insanely slow compared to web speed

Located in South Africa.  I have 500 mbps down/100-200 mbps upload.   When I use the browser to upload 1 gb, it uploads in a minute or so. When I upload the same 1gb via the dropbox app, it c...
desktop
sync
upload
Web
  • andy03's avatar
    andy03
    3 years ago

    Update:
    I uninstalled NordVPN app and suddenly dropbox upload speeds are back up to 14,000 kb/s.

     

    Which means that even though NordVPN was OFF, and not active, it still had some bizarre impact on UPLOAD speed. No effect on download...

     

    The confusing part is that my laptop also has the NordVPN software installed. However, it has no issue on that computer. 

     

    Laptop is running windows 11, while main machine is running windows 10 pro.

     

    Would really love to find a solution if anyone has one.

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

Hi andy03, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

 

Do you have any proxy, VPN, firewall, security software, or even ISP/router settings that could be restricting traffic to the following Dropbox domains?

 

This will help me to assist further!

andy03's avatar
andy03
Helpful | Level 5
3 years ago

I have installed NordVPN. However, I only enable Nord VPN when I absolutely need it. Most of the time, it is off. For these upload tests, I also had the NordVPN app off/VPN turned off.

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

    If the app is uploading slowly to the Dropbox servers, then something could be throttling that connection. Are you certain that you have no other software that could be monitoring the Dropbox folder or app?

     

    Have you contacted your ISP for further assistance on this matter?

    • andy03's avatar
      andy03
      Helpful | Level 5
      3 years ago

      I just opened a laptop with a wifi connection, uploaded the same 1gb file. It took exactly 5 seconds to upload it to dropbox servers using the desktop app on the same internet connection.

       

      As for software, I don't know. I don't use any firewalls, VPNs when I can help it. Short of reformatting my PC, i don't know what else to do.

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

        Is the main computer also connected via WiFi, or using a network cable?

         

        Could you try quitting all open apps from the system tray, aside from Dropbox, and try adding a file to the Dropbox folder to see if the speed improves?

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