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Why am I getting a 'Couldn't start Dropbox' permission error?
Here's the message that I get:
Couldn't start Dropbox.
This is usually because of permission error. Storing your home folder on a network share can also cause an error.
This often happens with users who may have migrated old data and settings from another Mac to their current computer.
Operating system permissions prevent files from being viewed or edited by unauthorized logins. Permissions can be set any number of ways and can be restored manually through a fairly simple process. Please note that it is very important to follow these steps specifically as failure to do so may result in other issues. On a Mac OS X you can do the following:
1) Make sure the Dropbox desktop application is running
2) Click on the Dropbox icon in your menu bar and then click your profile picture or initials
3) Select 'Preferences'
4) Click on the 'Account' tab
5) Hold down the 'Option/Alt' key
6) Click on the 'Fix Permissions' button (make sure you're still holding down the 'Option' key.
This will allow Dropbox access to your home folder, Dropbox folder, and any required settings.
30 Replies
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- Kaz
Dropbox Staff
@ John, could you try the following? It is another way to repair your permissions:
1) Select your home directory (the folder named after your computer's login) and press Command-I to "Get Info"
2) Scroll down to the "Sharing & Permissions" section at the bottom of the Get Info window
3) If everything is grayed out, click on the gold lock at the bottom right of the window. You'll be prompted for your login password. You'll need admin access to edit the permissions. If you are unable to unlock these privileges, talk to your system administrator to give you access to this folder.
4) Your name should already be on the list of sharing and permissions. If you aren't listed, then add yourself by clicking the + button.
5) Once your user is added, click your name and then click the gear menu at the bottom middle of the window, and choose "Make me the owner". If this option is grayed out you can skip to step 6.
6) Click the gear again and choose "Apply to enclosed items". I had the same problem after migrating data and settings to a new Mac. I tried to uninstall and then reinstall Dropbox, but still no luck. What finally did the trick was removing the Dropbox application settings. Instructions are in the Dropbox Help Center, under For Advanced Users:
Thanks Kathy - I tried that but it couldn't find the folder. Thanks Kaz, your solution worked fine.
- Ed
Hi Guy
Could you please follow these steps:
On your Dropbox client (desktop version):
- Click on the Dropbox icon and then the "gear" at the bottom right
- Open the Preferences pane
- Click the Account tab.
- Hold down the Option key and the "Unlink This Computer" button will become a "Fix Permissions" button.
- Click the Fix Permissions button and quit Dropbox.
- Restart your computer.
This should fix the problem. If you're still having problems, please let me know.
Respond to latest answer. My tab will not change, how long do i need to hold the option key? It stays in " Unlink this computer".
@Kathy T.
Thanks
Worked for meI have the same issue. Your steps require Dropbox to remain open, but the error dialog is modal and prevents access to the Preferences UI. When you close the error dialog, the entire application closes.
I have this issue too. The client will not launch
Could start Dropbox: https://www.evernote.com/l/AEH6CprAHDpIFoRW4_vdVregUExGriG4gB0It is trying to launch from the path: '/Users/tRavI/Dropbox'
However the path it should be launching from is '/Users/tRavIs/Dropbox'
There needs to be an "s" in the "tRavIs" directory. How do I update this path?Thanks Kathy - worked for me!
i followed Kaz' second suggestion and unfortunately after i chose "Make me the owner" i got over a hundred error messages about faulty extensions/permissions during the processing period (which was many minutes in duration). i tried repairing the permissions in disk utility after restarting holding command-r, the computer froze during the process, and now it won't boot up at all.
