Couln't download. Remove incompatible characters from the filename

[Dimples]

Recently all of my computer with Dropbox have started showing a sync error "Couln't download. Remove incompatible characters from the filename. e.g. emojis, /\"<>:|?*"

The problem filename isn't shown, the "Go to File" link just takes me to the root directory of my drive, and I obviously can't search for those bad characters.  How do I find this file to solve the sync issue?

[Dimples]

@Walter I couldn't find any files with incompatible characters obvious on dropbox.com.  My version of the dropbox app is 148.4.4519.  It currently say "Up to Date" but that error pops up on my machine about once a week.

[Megan]

Hey @Dimples, how are you today? 

Can you find the file online? If so, can you also check to make sure there's no space at the beginning or end of the file name, please? 

Provided this is the case, you should be able to rename it. 

[nomadism]

Based on my own research, it seems that the app in charge of the folder makes temporary file(s) which contains the "incompatible characters," but then soon deletes it.

So when dropbox recognizes the creation of the file, it sends the error message. But then, when I try to go and check it, the app that originally created the file(s) seems to have already deleted it (hence, "temporary file.")

My solution was to use the "ignore file / folder" feature that requires the some tinkering with the terminal, but in the end it worked. No more error messages.

https://help.dropbox.com/files-folders/restore-delete/ignored-files

 

[Dimples]

@Megan, I've got Almost 30,000 files in my dropbox.  It would take forever to go through them all.  It would be nice if the "Go to File" thing just worked so I could find the problem easily.

[Megan]

Hi @Dimples. 

You can always use our searchbar on the web to search for the file in question. Want to give it a go? 

[Dimples]

Sure, I'd love to give it it a try.  What do I search for?

[Hannah]

Hey @Dimples, sorry to jump in.

I think Megan is referring to the file in question, the one in the sync issues. Are you able to locate that on our website, to check for the spaces she mentioned?

[Dimples]

Hannah, Thanks for jumping in.  IF I knew the filename, I could search for it, but Dropbox never tells me the file name, so what exactly do I search for?

[jbales]

Similar issue. I can't upload files because of incompatible characters in the file names, but there are no incompatible characters.  See screen shot.

Version 148.4.4519 (148.4.4519)

[Megan]

Hi @Dimples, when you sent us the screenshot, it showed the file name "Applications" there. Can you please try this precise file name? 

Thanks for the screenshot @jbales! Are these files added in your Dropbox folder, or online? Have you tried the troubleshooting steps shown through this thread?