Windows Explorer persistent red X syncing error icon next to my Dropbox files.

Hey Mabone, let's jump right into this! 

As a first step, I'd like you to hover your mouse over the little Dropbox icon in your taskbar (the one on the third screenshot you provided) and let me know the app's current syncing status, and version. 

Next, if you click on that same icon, and then check your "View sync issues" tab, what do you see there? 

Let me know more, and we'll take it from there!

Hi Megan!

Thank you. Version: 228.4.5567. As for syncing status - I only see it showing its indexing, uploading and downloading files at the moment. No syncing status shown. Only per the screenshot below:

Any ideas? I am new to this, but have been using it for a while. The issues started a couple of days ago.

The file you see here syncing (EE Attendance.docx), has been syncing for over 30 minutes now. And its a couple of KB in size. Our network/internet is fine. The problem seem to be around Dropbox.

Hey Mabone, thank you for the info! 

If you click on the icon with your initials on the top right, do you see the option to "View Sync issues" by any chance? 

It sounds like your desktop app recently got the Dropbox for Windows update. Do you notice the syncing and indexing number of files decreasing as the time goes by?

Hey Megan,

I did check the "View Sync Issues" - none displays, hence no issues there.

As far as syncing and indexing - it takes quite a while to sync a small amount of files, but it manage to sync everything overnight.

I guess my main question is - what does that red circle with cross inside mean? I am still seeing it on the root folder as well as certain sub folders. Looks like some of these do not sync at all.

Thank you!

Looks like a sync issue for sure. Try pausing and resuming sync in Dropbox settings or check for selective sync settings might help.

Wanted to chime in as we also use Dropbox in our environment. We are noticing extensive issues regarding users going back and forth between indexing and syncing. The number randomly jumps to over 300,000 files, then back down to a few, and then back up again. (this number isn't static across all users, it varies). We've modified the folder selections to only sync certain folders since they are very large. However, a bunch of our users are experiencing the red "x" next to their Dropbox folders inside of file explorer. Any insight would be great. 

Thanks for the nudge here, ADours, and sorry to see that people on your team are having this issue.

Generally, a red circle with a white “X” means that a file or folder in someone's Dropbox folder can’t update or sync.

Does pausing and then resuming the sync process help at all?

What if the folder is moved out of the Dropbox folder and then moved back in?

Pausing and resuming does not rid the x's in file explorer. I have uninstalled Dropbox, reinstalled, selected specific folders, assured the folders are syncing "online" only as well. I haven't moved the folder out of Dropbox since a ton of people use the folder and was afraid it would affect all users. Whenever i check Dropbox for sync status, it says there are no errors at all. Also, whenever I go down the file path attempting to find what file/folder in the parent folder is causing the sync issue, it shows all the files are syncing within the folder that has the red X if that makes sense. 

Also, i ensured the user has enough C drive space: well over 250GB extra while the folders live Online.