Documents, Downloads, and Desktop folders are gone on my MB Pro. Dropbox has folders but no files

[tgelhaus]

Hello there!

So to preface, I'm relatively new to Dropbox, and only got it for a couple work gigs. But the moment it had access to my computer, it started creating a backup I think? Which, with only 2 GB of Dropbox Basic storage, there was no way it could do that with the 200+GB of stuff on my computer. So naturally it filled up pretty quickly, and I paused the sync.

At this point I try to free up some space, so I go to the dropbox folder in my Mac, select the attempted backup of my computer, and delete it. I think it was then that the folders disappeared, but I didn't notice until I was in the Dropbox system preferences trying to make it stop creating automatic backups...tried to deselect the Desktop, Downloads, and Documents folders and save, but then a message popped up saying the folders couldn't be located...

So now this morning comes around, and the folders(Desktop, Downloads, Documents) are back on my computer, along with all my personal folders inside them, but all of my actual DOCUMENTS...all my pdfs of taxes, all pictures, work documents.. are just GONE. Can anyone help me out? where did all my actual files go and how do I get them back??

Many thanks in advance

[John T.64]

Hi Walter,

Thanks for your reply - I know that my friend was speaking with Lucas from Tech Support, I'll attempt to find out what's happened since and get back to you.

[vanatf0und]

Hi! Has anyone figured out a solution for this? I'm having the same problem. Apple support said its a Dropbox issue. 

[SamVT]

I’d just like to chime in this exact issue is happening to me currently as well. I wanted to use Dropbox Backup and the moment I started my downloads folder disappeared. Fortunately it saved my files to Dropbox but now my downloads folder is broken and just an alias to a Dropbox copy of my downloads folder. But now I can’t download anything since that local folder is broken.

[Walter]

Hey @SamVT - sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

Have you by any chance tried to disable the computer backup feature properly as outlined here? 

[klabarbera]

I'm having a very similar issue with desktop, downloads, and documents being in my dropbox account online but removed from the laptop. I had deleted dropbox not knowing it had done this and now I can't redownload it because it's holding my download file hostage. I can't download anything because the location does not exist. I contacted apple support for hours before nailing down that it was a dropbox issue and there's no way to contact customer support with dropbox. This whole thing is super frustrating. 

[Walter]

Hey @klabarbera, sorry to hear you're having issues with this. 

Could you please let us know some additional information?

For example, did you disable the computer backup feature before uninstalling the desktop app from your computer?

Also, if you're getting any specific errors, I'd appreciate a screenshot so that we can have a visual too.

[JoelJoel]

Hey I had exactly the same problem. Initiated a sync on Dropbox helpful suggestion and my desktop disappeared. I followed another comment on this thread and tried to get into Finder. Couldn't find it. Eventually I got into finder, and clicked Desktop. All the files were there and they magically reappeared on my desktop. Thanks Dropbox..... not. I have the 2 TB account so maybe that helped.