I never had a problem before. The desktop app now gets stuck while opening. I wiped all related files from the app and reinstalled. No change. I made sure I had nothing blocked from internet access, and gave full disk access to dropbox in my security prefs. No change. The app just says "Starting" and never goes further. Preferences in the app tell me I'm signed in. I don't use a LAN or Proxy. Any advice?

Hi Sheldon L, thanks for bringing this to our attention. Could you confirm the version of the Dropbox desktop application you're running? You can do this by hovering your mouse over the Dropbox icon in the system tray or menu bar. Also, Is there a possibility that a proxy, VPN, firewall, security software, or even ISP/router issues could be restricting traffic to the following Dropbox domains? I'll be waiting for your reply!

I don't use a proxy, turned off VPN, don't use a firewall, disabled my security software, and haven't changed my ISP/router. Everything was working fine a few weeks ago when I last used it (and always has been). Does the latest version work with Big Sur 11.7.10? After download and reinstall (today) I'm clearly using the latest version.

Hi Sheldon L, the Dropbox desktop application should still be compatible with your OS at this time. How long have you kept the app running to see if it gets past the 'Starting' stage?

I left the app running up to an hour. It never started. I've always had my app set to automatically upgrade. What has changed in the last month? Is there a previous version I could try?

Thanks for the report. We're currently experiencing issues with the Dropbox desktop application, and are working on a fix at this time.

Desktop app won't open in Mac Big Sur, stuck on "starting".

13 Replies

Megan
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
Hi Sheldon L, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Could you confirm the version of the Dropbox desktop application you're running? You can do this by hovering your mouse over the Dropbox icon in the system tray or menu bar.

Also, Is there a possibility that a proxy, VPN, firewall, security software, or even ISP/router issues could be restricting traffic to the following Dropbox domains?

I'll be waiting for your reply!
Sheldon L
Explorer | Level 3
2 years ago
I don't use a proxy, turned off VPN, don't use a firewall, disabled my security software, and haven't changed my ISP/router. Everything was working fine a few weeks ago when I last used it (and always has been). Does the latest version work with Big Sur 11.7.10? After download and reinstall (today) I'm clearly using the latest version.
Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
Hi Sheldon L, the Dropbox desktop application should still be compatible with your OS at this time.

How long have you kept the app running to see if it gets past the 'Starting' stage?
Sheldon L
Explorer | Level 3
2 years ago
I left the app running up to an hour. It never started. I've always had my app set to automatically upgrade. What has changed in the last month? Is there a previous version I could try?
Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
Thanks for the report. We're currently experiencing issues with the Dropbox desktop application, and are working on a fix at this time.
Sheldon L
Explorer | Level 3
2 years ago
It would have been nice if I was told that in the beginning instead of making me think that I did something wrong and running me around in circles. I haven't used the dropbox app for about a month. How long has this problem existed?
Sheldon L
Explorer | Level 3
2 years ago
Is there an older build that I can use for Mac BIG SUR OS11.7 ?
Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
The issues we've had back should've been resolved. Are you still experiencing issues on your device?
Sheldon L
Explorer | Level 3
2 years ago
Yes. Still stuck on "starting."
Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
2 years ago
When you reinstalled the app originally, did you perform an advanced reinstallation?