Really Slow Upload...only Dropbox

[jgutwein]

Hey All,

I'm moving over to Dropbox from GoogleDrive. I have Gigabit Fios (recent upload speed test 686.4mbps), but Dropbox is maxing out around 2,000kbps. I have 'don't limit upload' enabled. Any suggestions?

[abbottoklus]

Having similar issues but for downloading. I edit videos for a partner who shoots in another city, he uploads them and I download the folders from my browser. Have never had any issues, was working fine on Friday morning. But now since last night, the download speeds are slow and inconsistent, and they keep failing. Normally I get download speeds through DB around 15-20 MB/s (internet connection with 300 mbps up/down). Even trying to download the footage in chunks by manually selecting a few clips at a time is failing. The file sizes are definitely within the max DB limits. Nothing has changed about our workflow, the only thing different from before is that DB rolled out the new standard plan with the rewind feature. Can't help but suspect it's to blame. Great how they force a $50/year "upgrade" then break their system.

I have tried on multiple browsers, other services like Drive and Creative Cloud work fine, Speedtest results are within the expected 300 mb range, this is solely an issues with Dropbox. I also don't have the option to sync directly to my desktop as I have different accounts for different purposes, and another account is already synced and has to remain that way.

[Lusil]

Hey peeps, thanks for your extensive description on the behavior you’re experiencing, much appreciated!

@D_Milstein, I was able to locate your request and can see that it’s been reviewed by a specialized member of the team. I’ve passed your comments along so as soon as they have more info on the matter, they’ll get back to you via email. 

@abbottoklus, I’ve sent you a ticket to the email address connected to your Community profile so that we can have a more in-depth look on the matter. When you have the chance, please check your inbox for my latest message. 

Cheers!

[D_Milstein]

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@Lusil wrote:

Hey peeps, thanks for your extensive description on the behavior you’re experiencing, much appreciated!

@D_Milstein, I was able to locate your request and can see that it’s been reviewed by a specialized member of the team. I’ve passed your comments along so as soon as they have more info on the matter, they’ll get back to you via email. 

@Lusil  the email I received from the specialist was the exact text posted in threads here, stating that (I'm paraphrasing) the system is complex, and takes more time than a simple transfer, along with a long list of reasons that the slow uploads are probably on my end.

Since the service was fast until recently, and only Dropbox is slow (I use Box.com, Google Drive, and Backblaze, and all three are still quite fast), I found the email message to be a sad excuse to not actually trouble shoot the problem.  The slowdown to an average of less than 800 kbps for Dropbox while I am able to upload 22GB of files to Box.net in 15 minutes does not indicate a network issue on my end.

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[spapai]

@D_Milstein Yes, I'm still experiencing the same issue (Dropbox slow, other sync services fast), and I got the exact same response from Dropbox, even after asking them to read through the thread and understand that my issue was not related to my network. Very frustrating. 

[D_Milstein]

@spapai I have had some follow up from the specialist, and went through the steps of creating a new admin account on the Mac, and testing via browser and Dropbox app on that new account.  Same slow results.

I created the new user profile, installed Dropbox, un-checked everything in Selective Sync (to save time), then tested an upload using a 6.83 GB folder with 18 video files in it.  The upload speed ranged between 800 kbps and about 1500 kbps.  It’s roughly the same performance I am getting on my primary user account.

That same folder uploaded to Box.net in less than 6 minutes.  It uploaded to Google Drive in 2 min 54 sec (I was impressed by that one).

My Speedtest results just prior to testing uploads were: ping time 4ms, download 704 Mbps, upload 879 Mbps.

[D_Milstein]

Searching outside of the forums here, I found one user who turned on his VPN service, and his upload speeds went back to normal. I figured it was worth a test. After enabling ExpressVPN, my upload speeds jumped from today's dismal 400-500 kpbs up to 12,000 kbps or faster. That wins a WTF award. Time to figure out why that's happening.

[Hahnium]

Sanity check here - really slow uploads for us as well. DropBox only.

[D_Milstein]

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@Hahnium, try using simple VPN software for a test to see if you have the same positive results. If it works, please tell us which ISP you use. It's really bizarre. I have no idea why enabling ExpressVPN returned the uploads to normal speeds.

[Lusil]

Hey peeps, thanks for the constant updates! 

@spapai and @D_Milstein, I’m sorry to hear that you’re still having trouble with this. In order to ensure efficient troubleshooting though, I’d recommend continuing this with our specialized engineers with whom you have an ongoing communication with and are reviewing this matter for you. 

The more info they have, the more efficient of an investigation they can carry out for you. As such, I’ve made sure to forward your additional comments to them.  

@Hahnium, I was able to locate your ticket and have made sure to get back to you with the next relevant steps. Please check your inbox and we’ll take it from there. 

Thanks everyone!

[markn62]

Add me to the list of slow uploads.  Uploading a single file (not sync) using the latest Pale Moon browser.  Under Personal Account there is no preference setting that caps speed. I'm getting between 1mbps & 6mbps upload on a 250mbps syncronous fiber connection with less than 25mbps in use by other applications. Pathetically slow.  Just started using DB Plus a couple weeks ago.  If this is not fixed soon I'll simply use another service and let the subscription run out in a week.