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How to find what files are syncing

How to find what files are syncing

Darryl B.3
Helpful | Level 5
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One of my computers has been syncing two files for days. Yet, all my subdirectories and files have the green icon to show they have synced. Even the hidden files appear O.K.

I have tried the usual steps like: rebooting, turning Dropbox off/on, uninstalling/reinstalling Dropbox, pausing/restarting Dropbox etc.

My question is how do you determine what the two files are that don't seem to sync?

1 Accepted Solution

Accepted Solutions

Daphne
Dropbox Staff
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Hey @Darryl B.3, I hope you're well today!

Usually, if the files are still trying to sync, they would appear with the syncing icon :arrows_counterclockwise:. The folder that these files are within will also show the syncing icon through the entire file path.

If none of your top level folders are showing this icon, then I'd suggest trying the steps below to see if that resolves the "Syncing" status for you:

  1. Click the Dropbox icon in your system tray/menu bar.
  2. Click the profile pic/initials icon in the top right of the window.
  3. Choose "Preferences..."
  4. Go to the "Account" tab.
  5. While holding the alt+H keys (for Windows) or Option/Alt key (for Mac), click "Fix Hardlinks".

If this doesn't resolve the issue, please follow the steps again and instead click "Fix permissions". 

I hope this helps, let me know how it goes!

 

Mod note: updated steps and link in post [last update 2023]


Daphne
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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View solution in original post

45 Replies 45

Daphne
Dropbox Staff
Go to solution

Hey @Darryl B.3, I hope you're well today!

Usually, if the files are still trying to sync, they would appear with the syncing icon :arrows_counterclockwise:. The folder that these files are within will also show the syncing icon through the entire file path.

If none of your top level folders are showing this icon, then I'd suggest trying the steps below to see if that resolves the "Syncing" status for you:

  1. Click the Dropbox icon in your system tray/menu bar.
  2. Click the profile pic/initials icon in the top right of the window.
  3. Choose "Preferences..."
  4. Go to the "Account" tab.
  5. While holding the alt+H keys (for Windows) or Option/Alt key (for Mac), click "Fix Hardlinks".

If this doesn't resolve the issue, please follow the steps again and instead click "Fix permissions". 

I hope this helps, let me know how it goes!

 

Mod note: updated steps and link in post [last update 2023]


Daphne
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


Heart Did this post help you? If so, please give it a Like below.
:arrows_counterclockwise: Still stuck? Ask me a question!
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ryanconlon
New member | Level 2
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Here's the post:

Hey @Darryl B.3, I hope you're well today!

Usually, if the files are still trying to sync, they would appear with the syncing icon . The folder that these files are within will also show the syncing icon through the entire file path.

If none of your top level folders are showing this icon, then I'd suggest trying the steps below to see if that resolves the "Syncing" status for you:

  1. Click the Dropbox icon in your system tray/menu bar.
  2. Click the profile pic/initials icon in the top right of the window.
  3. Choose "Preferences..."
  4. Go to the "Account" tab.
  5. While holding the Space bar key (Windows/Linux) or Option/Alt key (Mac), click "Fix Hardlinks".

If this doesn't resolve the issue, please follow the steps again and instead click "Fix permissions". 

I hope this helps, let me know how it goes!

 

Holding the Space bar there is no "Fix Hardlinks" or "Fix permissions" to click.  What's up?

Maybe syncing is just sluggish?  Hovering the sys tray icon says "up to date" but when I look in folders the green check goes away and stuff is missing. 

Now that I've been typing for a while, the file I'm looking for is there. 

At any rate, still your solution isn't showing the "Fix Hardlinks" and "Fix permissions" isn't anywhere to be found. 

My version is 92.4.382, is that the problem. 

 

My guess is you do not work for Dropbox and you are doing this for free, so thank you for that.

Ryan

[email removed by moderator]

Pär T.
Helpful | Level 6
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I have the same problem, there is no "Fix Hardlinks" option.

Walter
Dropbox Staff
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Sorry for the late reply @Pär T.- are you still having issues with this? 

Walter
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


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Darryl B.3
Helpful | Level 5
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Like others that have responded to this post, I, too, have no "Fix Hardlinks" nor "Fix permissions." 

I'm currently using version 127.4.4265

I remember some older versions had these "fixes,"; however, apparently Dropbox scrapped that somewhere along their development process.

Walter
Dropbox Staff
Go to solution

Thanks for your message @Darryl B.3

 

In that case, could you send us a screenshot of what you get when you press alt+H keys (for Windows) or Option/Alt key (for Macs) in your accounts tab in the app's preferences?


Walter
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


Heart Did this post help you? If so, give it a Like below to let us know.
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Darryl B.3
Helpful | Level 5
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Well Walter,

You may have solved the problem, not only for me, but also many others with the same situation.

When I pressed alt-h in Windows, the following is my screen capture:

DarrylB3_0-1628026868965.png

Good job!! And thank you very, very much!

Walter
Dropbox Staff
Go to solution
Glad I could help @Darryl B.3 

See you around the Community and enjoy the remainder of your week!

Walter
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support


Heart Did this post help you? If so, give it a Like below to let us know.
:arrows_counterclockwise: Need help with something else? Ask me a question!
:pushpin: Find Tips & Tricks Discover more ways to use Dropbox here!
:arrows_counterclockwise: Interested in Community Groups? Click here to join

WilliamB13
Explorer | Level 3
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It's now October 2021; I'm using Dropbox v133.3.4085 (from the General tab), and neither space bar, nor alt-h give any extra buttons to click on the Account tab.  My choices are Sign out (but for each of personal and work accounts) and "Unlink these accounts in Settings on the web" blue like a hyperlink.

 

My stats says "Syncing..." without ever completing or a way to tell what the problem is.  View Sync Issues... shows "No errors"

 

Any way to fix or diagnose?

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