"Your dropbox is full" but it isn't

[Solomon N.]

On Mac air with newest OS. I uninstalled the app, checked the hard drive, restarted the computer, barked at the moon, clapped twice and prayed to allah. The problem remains. 

I refuse to pay to upgrade. I cannot sync additional files. 

[Joshua L.15]

I'm having this problem with my Dropbox as well.

This is a company computer and I need access to my company dropbox. I was given access to all of the folders on the account but for some reason only a portion of them show up on my desktop. I have to log in to see them which makes dropbox absolutely worthless (coupled with their non-responsiveness I can't imagine we'll be using them very much longer). 

On top of not having access on the desktop to all of the files and folders I received a notification that my Dropbox is full even though we've recently just purchased an upgrade. I have 2Gb of a Tb used and I still have gigs of storage on my harddrive.

They need a help desk.You asked this question in May and there hasn't been a response from them.

[Lee B.29]

I just received a "Dropbox is full" message, when I'm currently using about 161GB of my terabyte of storage.  I think it's related to one shared folder, because that folder hasn't updated since another user added around 100 photos to it yesterday.Those pix would chew up some storage, but not 800 GB. Outside of that folder, all seems to be well with Dropbox sync. 

[Paul G.27]

Dropbox says that I am using 3.1GB of 2.5GB.  I have no files in any of my folders. A friend has shared files with me - but all in his folder, all with his ownership. None are on my desktop.

I am getting the message:

"Your Dropbox is full. Upgrade now for 1 TB (1,000 GB) of space and sharing features.

"When your Dropbox is full, you are unable to sync files across devices and join shared folders. Get more space to lift these restrictions."

How do I get rid of this message?

[Julian O.1 · Accepted solution]

Hi Paul!

When you join a shared folder, that folder now resides in your Dropbox too and therefore takes up space.

Your Dropbox quota is calculated based on the total contents of your Dropbox, which includes shared folders. A Dropbox account can't sync more than its quota, so a 2 GB account can't sync more than 2 GB, including the space taken up by shared folders. Because every member of a shared folder can add and modify the files in the shared folder, the shared folder takes up space in each member's account. This policy exists to prevent people from giving themselves unlimited space by stacking Basic accounts and shared folders.

If you need a little more space, you can visit the following pages on our website to see how you can earn bonus space:

- Earn bonus space by learning about Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/gs
- Earn bonus space by referring people to Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/referrals
- Earn bonus space by telling people about Dropbox: https://www.dropbox.com/free

Thanks,

Dom

[Geoffrey F.1]

Me too. On Windows 10. No barking, but much gnashing of teeth. 243 KB of 2 GB used, yet I can't join a new shared folder for lack of space for three days now - and they assure me that it isn't huge.

[Solomon N.]

Please let me know if you find a solution.

[Richard P.]

Geoffrey - shared folders count in full against your account quota - if its larger than your available space then you cannot accept the invite.

Solomon - you need to delete files from your Dropbox or upgrade.

[Solomon N.]

Richard. I deleted tons of files and am well under my allowed space. Its still a problem. 

[Mark]

What files are showing at www.dropbox.com/home and www.dropbox.com/account THEY are the ones to look at. 

If you want to accept a shared folder, it doesn't matter if you are under your limit. If accepting a share would put you over it then you cant. 

[Doug N.4]

I'm having the same or a similar problem.  When I try to accept an invitation, I receive a pop-up that state:

"Your personal Dropbox will run out of space if you accept this invitation."  My account shows I'm only using 7mb of 2.75 available, and I'm assured by the originator of the folder that it is less than 250 mb.  What else could I try?