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Forum Discussion
Dropbox app produces spinning wheel when clicked on and the app won't open
Application Affected
N/A
Device
N/A
Operating System/Browser (if using the web)
N/A
Dropbox App Version (if using the app)
N/A
Question or Issue
in past few weeks I can no longer access Dropbox (free version) via the shortcut on Windows Explorer (Win 10). when I click the Dropbox entry Explorer shows a turning wheel, does not go to DB files, and can't closed with the close X. I have to go to Task Manager and Dropbox/End Task.
I've uninstalled/reinstalled DB. still get the issue.
I've downloaded a copy of all my files using the DB website. so I won't lose anything if this doesn't go well.
any ideas on what to do next? TY
8 Replies
- Hannah
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey JimJinNJ, thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Have you tried restarting your computer after noticing this behavior?
If you quit the Dropbox app and restart it, does this behavior persist?
And if you open your file explorer and try to open your Dropbox folder from there, does it open?
Let me know what you find!
TY for your help.
yes, I have restarted the PC--several time actually in the process of trying to find a fix.
yes, I quit and restarted DB. no effect.
I uninstalled DB, downloaded installer and started w fresh install.
I just tried opening DB with Windows menu. same spinning wheel.
for now, I have downloaded all my DB to another drive as a backup.
no ideas what to try next.
I am on Win10 still; don't know when I will go to 11.
- Walter
Thanks for the update on this JimJinNJ - much appreciated.
If you've ensured that this is not caused by an antivirus or another 3rd party app that's running on your computer, can you attempt a clean advanced reinstall and let us know how it goes?
I tried it. dropbox was still not working. too much time involved so I've moved on. will try DB again after I transition to another PC and Win 11.
I've been having this issue too. It something related to Dropbox and Windows Explorer only. Other file explorer apps work just fine. No issue.
- Megan
Hi there, JimJinNJ!
I'd love to gather some additional info here. Would you mind clarifying your device's OS, along with the Dropbox app version that you have installed there?
You can find this by hovering your mouse over the little Dropbox icon in your taskbar, next to your WiFi.
Do you notice the same behavior once you quit the desktop app?
Lastly do you happen to have any 3rd party apps -and especially iCloud- that might be monitoring, backing up or syncing your files running on your computer?
If you don't mind, you could also try creating a new OS profile on your computer and trying to install and run the Dropbox desktop app there.
Keep us posted!
