Dropbox error, cant start dropbox

[mayaogonah]

I have dropbox installed on my computer but when trying to run the application an error message stating "Couldn't start dropbox this is usually due to a permission error. Storing your home folder on a network share can cause an error" appears. 

I have followed the advice given on https://www.dropbox.com/c/help/permissions_error page but it did not help. I am not sure but it may be as I don't have my dropbox foler downloaded on my file explorer. 

I am wondering how do I fix this error so that the dropbox appliation can work, and so I can download the dropbox folder onto my file explorer. 

Thanks in advance!

P.S. I have copied further information given regarding the error below. 

bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
bn.VERSION: 101.4.434
bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 43
bn.is_frozen: True
machine_id: 0948e092-79d1-46d3-9c74-e3b44b0a6a8f
pid: 16988
cwd: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client'
     real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client'
            mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
     parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
HOME: None
appdata: 'C:\\Users\\mayao\\AppData\\Local\\Dropbox\\instance1'
         real_path='C:\\Users\\mayao\\AppData\\Local\\Dropbox\\instance1'
                mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
         parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
dropbox_path: 'C:\\Users\\mayao\\Dropbox'
              real_path='C:\\Users\\mayao\\Dropbox'
                     mode=0o40555 uid=0 gid=0
              parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
sys_executable: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\Dropbox.exe'
                real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\Dropbox.exe'
                       mode=0o100777 uid=0 gid=0
                parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
trace.__file__: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\101.4.434\\python-packages.zip\\dropbox\\client\\ui\\common\\boot_error.pyc'
                real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\101.4.434\\python-packages.zip\\dropbox\\client\\ui\\common\\boot_error.pyc'
                       not found
                parent not found
TMP: C:\Users\mayao\AppData\Local\Temp
TEMP: C:\Users\mayao\AppData\Local\Temp
tempdir: 'C:\\Users\\mayao\\AppData\\Local\\Temp'
         real_path='C:\\Users\\mayao\\AppData\\Local\\Temp'
                mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
         parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 792, in wrapper
  File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 6559, in finish_dropbox_boot
  File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 6014, in _init_components_for_account
  File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 5965, in create_sync_engine
  File "dropbox\sync_engine_boundary\factory.pyc", line 272, in make_sync_engine
  File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\sync_engine.pyc", line 380, in __init__
  File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\thin_adapter\in_proc.pyc", line 251, in __init__
  File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\thin_adapter\in_proc.pyc", line 612, in _init_new_engine_locked
  File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\thin_client\client.pyc", line 148, in __init__
  File "extensions\nucleus\nucleus_python.pyx", line 84, in nucleus_python.NucleusSyncEngine.__cinit__
nucleus_python.SyncEngineError: Initializing engine |>> Initializing filesystem |>> NtCreateFile syscall: open_unchecked |>> Permission denied

[Lusil]

Hey @mayaogonah, thanks for reaching out to us about this. 

Since you mention that you've already tried the "Permission denied" steps, could you give advanced reinstall a try? 

Note that if you're on a Basic plan, you'll need to make sure that you have two or less devices already connected to your account to proceed. 

Let me know how it goes, cheers!

[mayaogonah]

Hi Lusil

I have completed the advanced reinstall yet the permission error still appeared after I logged in. Do you have any more advice?

Thanks!

Maya 

[Lusil]

Thanks for letting me know, @mayaogonah. 

If you get the desktop app running for enough time, could you try the following steps in the exact order listed, and see if they do the trick?

• Click on the Dropbox icon in your system tray.
• Go to the gear in the Notifications panel.
• Select Preferences...
• Navigate to the Account tab.
• Click anywhere in the window under the tab.
• Hold down the Alt+H keys.
• Click on Fix Hardlinks.
• You may be asked for your computer's login credentials, in which case, please enter them.

Wait a bit to see if Dropbox resumes syncing and, if you're still having an issue, try the same steps again, but on the 7th one, select Fix Permissions, instead. 

Keep me posted!

[mayaogonah]

Hi Lusil, 

The issue I am having is that I cannot even launch the dropbox app as all that pops up is the permission denied error message. Hence, I cannot do the steps you suggested? 

Is there a chance you could address this issue remotely?

Thanks in advance!

Maya 

[Lusil]

Thanks for getting back to me, @mayaogonah.

Could you try reinstalling the desktop app using our offline installer? 

Before doing this, please make sure that there's no antivirus, firewall, or VPN/proxy setting enabled or running, that could interfere with the installation. 

Let me know of any updates, cheers!