Can no longer connect to Dropbox

[mortstiff]

I've been using Dropbox free for several years to sync files between my two laptops. Since yesterday, I kept getting a message on one laptop 'connecting' and it wouldn't sync. I uninstalled it and installed the latest version 105.4.649 and now I keep getting a message 'starting.' I logged out and logged back in, still got 'starting,' and then a popup message 'No Internet connection. You computer is currently offline...' yet I had an Internet connection. I've only used about half of the available space in my account.  (Windows 10)

[scarsong]

I suggest you reinstall the WIN10 system. Before that, you can try to log in to your dropbox account on the computer of your friend or relative to see if the problem is resolved.

[Jay]

Hi @mortstiff, thanks for posting on the Community!

I'm sorry to hear about this situation. There is a possibility that a proxy, VPN, firewall, security software, or even ISP/router issues that could be restricting traffic to the following Dropbox domains, which is why you're getting this issue.

Could you try checking out these aspects to see if they could be causing this..

Let me know what you find out!

[mortstiff]

Thanks for answering.  No I have the problem whether my proxy is on or off.  I tried a clean resintall and still get the problem, with the popup message that there is no Internet connection (when there actually is), so I'm thinking it has to be some sort of network connection issue.

[mortstiff]

Very funny - reinstall W10.

In fact, I can log into Dropbox on the laptop by going through the website.  It's just the installed program that doesn't work.  I can live with it this way, but it's much more of a hassle to move files around whenever the need arises.

[Jay]

It does sound like the Dropbox desktop application is having issues connecting.

If you're not on a Dropbox Basic plan with more than 3 devices connected, could you try an advanced reinstall of the app using the steps in this link?

[mortstiff]

Someone from Dropbox support already sent me those clean reinstall steps and it did nothing.  Plus, it's time to update those steps for the latest W10 update.

[mortstiff · Accepted solution]

I discovered the solution, which is simple.  I went to preferences-->proxy and changed 'detect proxy' to 'manual' and viola the problem was solved.

Meanwhile, Dropbox support recommended clean install, registry changes, firewall unblocking (already was), etc., etc.  - no clue.