Files not syncing in Window explorer

[ECB]

Hi, I can't seem to get File Explorer to sync. It used to sync automatically but now it is not. I've logged onto the Dropbox page and tried to download the app and that doesn't seem to do anything. 

I have created a folder on drop box app for my upcoming holidays called "2022 Trip."

When I log onto my computer (using windows) I can't find it in my file explorer. 

They seem to be out of sync. I've read the forums about syncing but I can't see a sync function or menu or button to do this. 

I've logged onto the drop box web page and tried to find it in settings but can't. 

I am on the basic free access and still have space. 

Please help. I'm not very computer savy and I've read through all the community pages but can't see my problem listed. 

[Mark · Accepted solution]

Hi @ECB 

Have you made sure Dropbox is running? 

Restart it from the Windows menu or reinstall from www.dropbox.com/downloading. 

[ECB]

thank you sooo much! this did work. 

Downloading the app worked. 

I could see in my start menu there was a drop box app but it wasn't launching anything. 

This makes sense and I can now see in Windows Explorer the syncing icon. 

thank you so much for your assistance. 

[KimmeL]

Been using DB for at least 20 years. Equipment has changed over time and never had a problem. Not sure what's happened now but a few weeks ago my DB initially started slowing down how long it would take to sync. At first a few hours. Then a couple of days. Etc. Now it has completely stopped syncing all together.

I typically use the Desktop app in my Windows File Explorer window.

I've been through all the help articles and am basically at the last option of where it is telling me to uninstall and reinstall the desktop app.

My question is, everything that I have uploaded over the last few weeks (I don't even recall what 'everything' would be)....will it be retained if I uninstall that desktop app where they're loaded and where I can currently view them but noone else can. Or am I going to lose everything from the last few weeks?

[Megan]

Hi @KimmeL, I'd be more than happy to help! 

When you say that the app isn't syncing, could you check the version you're using along with the sync status, and let me know what they report? 

Now, in regards to your question, it would be safer to keep a copy of the content that hasn't been synced online. You can double check what you see on your Dropbox account online, vs what you see inside the Dropbox folder, and keep a backup of these files/folders.

When you uninstall, then re-install, the app should resume syncing the changes, but we want to be certain that you don't lose any of your edits, and content. 

I hope this clarifies! 

[KimmeL]

Thanks Megan.

There actually is no sync status anymore. And it's also not appearing anymore in my taskbar. I have no idea what happened. Perhaps an automatic Windows update made it go wonky? I've found that happen with other things after a Windows update.

I've decided to just copy my entire DB folder from File Explorer where I've been loading documents onto a flash drive or OneDrive, and then will unistall and reinstall. Then I'll gradually start comparing with the copied folder that I made of what has actually synced vs what hasn't. It will take some time to do that. As I mentioned this has been going on for a few weeks so I'm going to have to go through folder by folder to see what docs didn't sync.

[Rich]

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@KimmeL wrote:

There actually is no sync status anymore. And it's also not appearing anymore in my taskbar.

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If you don't see the Dropbox icon in your system tray then that would mean that Dropbox isn't running, which is why your files aren't syncing. You may just need to launch Dropbox from your Start Menu and give it some time to index your files and sync. If that doesn't work, then an uninstall/reinstall would be suggested.

[KimmeL]

Thanks everyone. Already went ahead with the unistall/reinstall before I saw this last response. Everything is working again now.

[Megan]

Awesome news @KimmeL! 

If you need anything else, let us know. 😎

[acfks1]

I have dropbox on 2 computers (1 at primary home and 1 at a 2nd home).  I have been working on my 1st computer (at primary home) and when I get to my 2nd computer, dropbox has not synced with the 1st computer and the online account did not sync either.