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CaptTeeCee's avatar
CaptTeeCee
Explorer | Level 3
3 years ago
Solved

Invalid Password with an invalid email

I have an invalid G-Mail e-mail address in my profile which I cannot correct because every time I try to change a setting it requires me to validate my account and tell me it sent an e-mail to the INVALID e-Mail address to fix/validate. Not only can I not access this invalid e-mail account, nobody can because it does not exist. I am in a catch 22 and can not use my Dropbox. Please advise as I cannot even use Chat which requires a validation that is sent to the invalid and nonexistent e-mail account!!!

 

  • Mark's avatar
    Mark
    3 years ago

    Hi CaptTeeCee 

     

    There is no way to fix this other than set up a brand new account with the correct email I'm afraid. Dropbox dont, and wont, update emails on accounts unless they can contact the account holder - which is obviously not working or you'd get the email and be able to update it. 

8 Replies

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  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    3 years ago

    Hi CaptTeeCee, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

     

    Just for clarification, is this an email address you entered on the site accidental? 

     

    Is there a typo in the email itself, and if so, is it before or after the @ symbol?

     

    This will help me to assist further!

  • CaptTeeCee's avatar
    CaptTeeCee
    Explorer | Level 3
    3 years ago

    Thanks for the reply and offer to assist.

     

    The e-mil in the profile has an "_" underscore in it which is not an acceptable character in a G-Mail address 

     

    The actual e-mail is: xxxyyy@gmail.com but in the profile it is: xxx_yyy@gmail.com

     

    As a result, all e-mail sent to validate the proper e-mail account are sent to the one with an underscore which is an invalid address basically locking me out from doing anything with my account, including chatbot and/or calling techsupport.

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    3 years ago

    Okay, so it isn't possible to create that email address with Gmail, since it's an invalid character, is that correct?

  • CaptTeeCee's avatar
    CaptTeeCee
    Explorer | Level 3
    3 years ago

    Jay,

     

    That is correct and that is the key to my problem. Dropbox is asking for validation form an e-mail account that not only does not exist, it cannot even be set up to receive and respond to their inquiry. As a result... I remain locked out of fixing my settings or using my account!

     

    Thanks again for any help you may be able to provide.

  • CaptTeeCee's avatar
    CaptTeeCee
    Explorer | Level 3
    3 years ago

    The e-mil in my account profile has an "_" underscore in it which is not an acceptable character in a G-Mail address and I have no idea how it got in my settings.

     

    The actual e-mail is: xxxyyy@gmail.com but in the profile it is: xxx_yyy@gmail.com

     

    As a result, when you try to correct this mistake in the edit settings process, all e-mail sent to validate the proper e-mail account and allow changes in the profile / settings, are sent to the invalid e-mail with an underscore! Since this is an invalid e-mail address the process is basically locking me out from doing anything with my account.

     

    I see no fix other than to have the Dropbox technical team make the fix from their end... but now I have a second problem... How can I get in touch with them to explain my dilemma? 

     

    Does anybody know of a fix to this issue?

     

    Please advise.

  • Mark's avatar
    Mark
    Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
    3 years ago

    Hi CaptTeeCee 

     

    There is no way to fix this other than set up a brand new account with the correct email I'm afraid. Dropbox dont, and wont, update emails on accounts unless they can contact the account holder - which is obviously not working or you'd get the email and be able to update it. 

  • cnmany's avatar
    cnmany
    Explorer | Level 3
    3 years ago

    Is the only way DB will verify an email account is through sending an email code? Can't they send it to a mobile number? I like many have an old account from a OLD employer and am being charged every year $130!!! and I do not remember my password. I cannot ask my old employer to reinstate my email so that DB can send me a verification.  That is silly. Is there any other way to  at least downgrade the account? so that I m not paying for nothing?  

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Community Moderator rankDropbox Community Moderator
    3 years ago

    Hi cnmany, email verification can only be done via an email, currently.

     

    If you can't access the account, you can contact the billing team by opening an incognito/private browsing window, while not signed into your account, and accessing this link, choose 'Other' and then put in an email address that you can access, followed by your billing info.

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