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Dropbox stopped working on Ubuntu 18.04 LTS; advanced re-install did not help
Hi,
I have been using DB for years; these days, I use it to sync files across 3 computers; all of them with a different version of Ubuntu Linux. On two of these computers, DB works great. However, one one computer at home (with initially Ubuntu 18.04 LTS), DB suddenly stopped working. Specifically, it would take forever to sync the 2-3 small txt files that needed to be synced.
I tried different things to solve the issue, but it made things worse:
* stop and restart dropbox (using the CLI tool)
* re-install DB, using both methods described here (deb file and CLI):
https://www.dropbox.com/install-linux
* doing an advanced (Linux) re-install, as explained here:
https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/desktop/advanced-reinstall?fallback=true
* tried to install an older version, as suggested somewhere (sorry, can't find the corresponding ticket any more)
* moved the Dropbox folder to a different location (so to as re-install my files from scratch), and "unlink" the computer (on the web-site: parameters > security > devices) so as to link it again later.
* updated the OS of the computer to Ubuntu to 19.04.
Nothing worked. Whenever I re-install, I do *not* get the pop-up which asks to which account I should link this computer; nothing in the terminal either when running from the terminal. When I click on the DB icon (on query the CLI tool), it simply says "connecting". When I select preferences > Account, it says it is not connected to any account. (But again, it does not let me select an account!) Current version is v82. If I try to install an older version, it automatically updates to this (apparently non-working) version.
To make things worse, I tried to log in the DB web site from the same computer with my browser, it did not work either! I enter my login, my password, but then it just stalls. This is using Firefox, but I tried with Chrome and Chromium as well, to no avail. Apperently a CAPTCHA should show up, but it does not, whatever the browser. I also tried in private mode.
Wit's end... Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Nicolas
Hi twometers,
If you can't open Dropbox's site then the application can't be able to link any account and the problem isn't in Dropbox application, definitely, neither Ubuntu (not as a system, but can be some settings). Can you access some other (non company, external) site? You have to solve the network problem initially (wherever it is).
Hope this gives some direction. :wink:
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Hi,
some extra info:
* version of Dropbox: v82.4.15
* I did manage to log in the DB web site from Firefox in the end, but that still does not work on e.g. Chromium (stock install with no extension). Weird...
I have googled for hours about my problem, but I could not find work around (beyond those in my previous message, which did not work).
Any idea?
Many thanks in advance
- Fiona
Dropbox Staff
Hello witsend. Sorry to hear you are having trouble. :slight_frown:
Grateful for the detail description of the problem, your OS details and the troubleshooting steps.
Is there a security system that could be blocking Dropbox from starting? An antivirus, a firewall, or a proxy that could be causing Dropbox not to load at all? :thinking:
Fiona: I don't use an antivirus (like most Linux users), I did not change anything recently regarding a firewall, etc. Again Dropbox just stopped working on one computer of the two I have at home.
Здравкo: Thanks, but this did not work either. Specifically:
1. I did an *advanced* re-install.
2. I installed that old version (79.4.143). (I locked the folder as you said.)
3. When I ran dropboxd, the script just hanged.
After a few minutes, I did Ctrl-C, and rebooted, but same as before. Dropbox is "connecting", but is not linked to my account (and never ask me what is my account). The version is still 79.4.133.
Should I try with an even older version, maybe?
Witsendsure! Thanks for looking into this.
Are you sure "~/.dropbox" folder is removed? If not, before launch dropboxd, try (while older version still locked):
dropbox stop rm -rf ~/.dropbox
dropbox startCan you see now dropbox asking for account linking?
I am 99% sure, since I did an "advanced re-install" (where you are supposed to delete both ~/.drobpox and ~/.dropbox-dist first).
But I'll double check tonight (when I have access to my home computer).
BTW, account linking is prompted through a pop-up window, right? Is there any way to do it manually? (editing a config file, or running some command from the CLI).
Exact way dropbox uses to prompt for link depends on GUI availability. Could be web link printed on console, if GUI is missing.
PS: Also make sure you are logged in your dropbox profile, in your default web browser, in advance!
