Audio Files Cut Out When Playing

[mspin]

I've been having an issue lately (since June) with playing MP3 files from Dropbox where the audio cuts out while playing. It cuts out at the same time stamp each time, so its not randomly cutting off the audio. When I play the MP3 files back on my computer from the hard drive, there is no audio cut off. This is only happening after the file is uploaded to Dropbox and when playing the file from Dropbox. This happens on the Dropbox app on my iPhone, iPad, and when playing the file from the Dropbox website on a computer. I have deleted the file from Dropbox and re-uploaded it but that does not resolve the issue. I have been using Dropbox to store and play MP3 files for many years and never had this problem until recently. It seems that something has changed or there is some kind of bug causing this audio drop out of the file when playing.

I can't find any resolutions for this when searching the site. If anyone has any information or suggestions about a resolution, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Hannah]

Hey @mspin, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Can you make sure you have the most recent version of the Dropbox app on your devices and the most recent version of the browser you're using?

Also, are these files saved to your Dropbox account, or are you opening them through a shared link?

And what are the sizes of the files in question?

Let me know and we'll go from there.

[dailyak77]

Is there a fix for audio that keeps cutting out while watching the footage? It plays fine in the source, but when I play back on my timeline it keeps falling out.

[mspin]

Hi Hannah, thanks for replying. I have the most recent version of the Dropbox app installed on my iPhone and iPad which is 294.2.2.

I use the Firefox web browser which is also at the latest version.

I am playing the files directly from my account, not from a link.

I open the Dropbox app, select the folder where I have the MP3 file, and select the file to play it.

The sizes of the MP3 files in question are:

353 MB

305 MB

347 MB

346 MB

Here's little background which might help you. These are DJ mixes which are about 2 1/2 hours long.

When I play a smaller MP3 file like 140MB, which is also a DJ mix about 1 hour long, there are no issues with the audio cutting out.

I have been storing and playing DJ mixes from Dropbox for a very long time. This problem seems to have started with the files that are larger or longer than 1 hour of playing time.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you need more information and thanks again for your assistance!

[Jay]

Hi everyone, could you try offlining your files first to see if they help with the previews?

[mspin]

Hi Jay,

The MP3 files play offline with no audio cut out. This problem occurs when playing directly from Dropbox.

Thanks!

[Hannah]

Hey @mspin, did you make them available offline by following the steps Jay suggested, or are you referring to playing the files locally on your device?

[wnj]

Hi Hannah,
I am also having this same problem.
Yes, I offlined the files as described by Jay » into my iPhone.
I then play the audio mp3 file from the DB app on iPhone.
It plays for about a minute or so and then stops playing.

It used to work perfectly in the past.

Peculiarity:

1. it seems that this occurs with recently uploaded files
2. it seems [and I have to test this] that after a few days it plays the whole file as expected

Any suggestions?
thank you , waldemar

[Walter]

Hey @wnj, sorry to jump in here, but have you tried clearing the app's cache since you first noticed this? 

[wnj]

Walter , thanks for mentioning that, good idea!
I just have no idea how to clear cache of app on the iPhone, can you help?

thank you!