Dropbox not syncing file unless I refresh folder

[jckm2000]

Hi Folks,
My problem is to do with syncing.
I have an outbuilding with four large freezers, the temperatures are monitored via a data logger that writes every hour to a .txt file kept in my Dropbox folder.

The idea is that I can view those temperatures remotely on my phone.

My problem is that Dropbox doesn't notice that the file has changed until a human goes to the outbuilding and physically refreshes the Dropbox folder, which defeats the object.

It used to work ok but now doesn't. Is there anything that can be done to force Dropbox to sync the file automatically?

Cheers, Crispin

[Jay]

Hi @jckm2000, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

If the Dropbox folder needs to be refreshed, then something is preventing the Dropbox desktop application from syncing normally. 

Is the Dropbox desktop application installed on a normal machine, or is it on a server? What OS are you running? Are there any other differences, such as external drives, network drives, virtual machines, security software or anything of the sort?

This will help me to assist further!

[jckm2000]

Hi,
The machine I'm using is a win7 pc.
Thanks

[Hannah]

Hey @jckm2000, sorry to jump in here.

Windows 7 computers need the security update KB3033929 for the Dropbox desktop app to work properly, do you have that installed?

[jckm2000]

I'll check, thanks 🙂

[jckm2000]

Hi Hannah,
Yes it's there.

[Hannah]

Thanks for checking, @jckm2000.

Do you perhaps have any security programs, like an antivirus, VPN, firewall etc. that could be affecting Dropbox?

If so, try temporarily disabling them, to see if that helps.

[jckm2000]

Hi Hannah,
I've turned win security off and removed any anti virus protection but it's still not syncing without human intervention.
It will instantly if I go out there and open the Dropbox file folder.
Weird,
Thanks,
C.

[Hannah]

Thanks for trying that too, @jckm2000.

At this point, can you uninstall the Dropbox app and reinstall it from this link, to see if it helps?