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andy03's avatar
andy03
Helpful | Level 5
2 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
  • morgele's avatar
    morgele
    1 year ago

    I'm replying to this thread 8 months later to share that I was having the exact same problem with Mullvad VPN installed.  When I was off the VPN I was getting 10-30kb/sec with a lot of pauses.  Turned it on and speed immediately shot to 400-600kb/s and sustained.  If you have a VPN, even if it's off, test if the VPN software is causing the problem!

andy03's avatar
andy03
Helpful | Level 5
2 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
2 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
    2 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
      2 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?

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

        the main computer is connected via ethernet.

         

        things I've already done:

        -ethernet connection

        -wireless only connectoin

        -restarting computer

        -restarting router

        -testing speed on different network/location (the speed is still slow for upload on the main machine)

        -testing speed on machine #2 via laptop on both networks-- (speed is super fast for the same file to upload to dropbox on the same networks)

        -uninstalling and reinstalling dropbox itself

        -plugging into different ethernet ports.

         

         

        When i first connect ethernet, dropbox upload speed jumps to 2-3,000 kb/s for a second and fall back down to 100-140kb/s.

         

        It seems the network is not the issue, nor is the wiring or connection.

         

        The issue is the main machine and something barring it/blocking it.

         

         

         

         

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