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Permissions Error Message every time Dropbox starts
As of yesterday, when I start up my Mac (High Sierra) I get a message saying "Dropbox needs to change permissions for the Folder: ... " The folder location is correct, and it has not changed in months/years.
I have found someone else with exactly the same issue - https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Error-messages/Permissions-Error-Message-All-of-a-Sudden/td-p/264080 - but the solution was given to the poster outside of the community messages.
What do I do to fix this?
Thanks
Hi Jane - several restarts did nothing, but quitting dropbox, and then restarting, did the trick. I didn't expect it to be so easy :)
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- Jane
Dropbox Staff
Hi Jane - several restarts did nothing, but quitting dropbox, and then restarting, did the trick. I didn't expect it to be so easy :)
- Jane
Where exactly is the solution to this?
- Walter
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hey there blizzrdof77 - how are you today?
I understand you are getting a permissions error - could you please send me a screenshot of the exact error message you get to make sure we're on the same page?
From what I understand the solution to the OP's inquiry was simply quitting our desktop app and re-launching it.
Note that this kind of issue can be caused by your Home directory being "locked". If that's the case, just right-click on your Home folder ( /Users/{your username} ) and choose "Get Info". Then, uncheck the "Locked" checkbox.
In addition, issues like this can be due to local network sharing or folder redirection preferences setup in folders or files within your Dropbox. Similar effects can also happen when your Dropbox folder or its system files are located in a mounted network drive or a remote location (like roaming profiles) since this could cause Dropbox to not have constant access or permissions to operate in those locations.
You might also want to try the "Fix Permissions" button through your desktop app (supposing that it's running):
1. Click on the Dropbox icon in your menu bar and then click on the gear :gear: in the Notifications panel.
2. Select 'Preferences'
3. Click on the 'Account' tab
4. Hold down the 'Option' key
5. Click on the 'Fix Permissions' button (making sure you're still holding down the 'Option' key)
6. You may be prompted for your a username and password, this is your computer login credentials, not your Dropbox account ones.
This should allow Dropbox access to your home folder, Dropbox folder, and any required settings.
I hope this information helps to some extent and do let me know what you find. Thanks!
