However, there are times when Dropbox does not recognize or upload a file when asked to do so by a user, presenting an error. A simple interruption between the Dropbox client and the machine will cause this, but sometimes Windows settings such as Firewall prevent Dropbox from syncing your data.
Here is a list of seven ways to fix Dropbox and keep your files syncing.
1. Check Your System Compatibility
Ensure that Dropbox is compatible with your machine’s OS before trying any other fix. Your files may not sync if your Windows is not compatible with the latest version of Dropbox. If there is an update available, update the OS to the most recent version.
Additionally, you can check for file compatibility, where certain file types or files containing undetectable malware will be prevented from being uploaded. Try syncing a different file with a different extension to rule this possibility out.
When you are sure it’s not a problem with your OS or files, move on to the other fixes listed below.
2. Check Your Internet Connection
When there are no compatibility issues, but your data still doesn’t sync to cloud storage, your internet connection may be to blame. If your internet connection is slow or spiky, the Dropbox client may not be able to establish a stable connection with its cloud services, so your file will not be synced.
RELATED: Is Dropbox Secure Enough for Your Private Files?
Give your router a fresh start, turn off the internet from all other devices, and take your device close to the router. If still, it fails to sync correctly, try to sync some of your files on different cloud storage services like Google Drive. When data isn’t syncing anywhere, your internet connection is at fault.
Contact your ISP, in this case, to start syncing your data again. When your internet is working correctly, but your files will not sync, you can try a few more things.
3. Reboot Your PC
There are instances when some temporary glitch in the syncing has stopped syncing a particular file to Dropbox. This issue might have translated to Dropbox not syncing any file. Thus, try to reboot your system once to ensure that a temporary error isn’t doing harm here.
The fresh connection between that particular file and Dropbox will begin syncing again. Try a fresh start on your PC and see if syncing has returned.
4. Check the Filename for Incompatible Symbols
A filename with an incorrect extension causes Dropbox not to sync the file with its cloud storage server. In this case, if you have problems syncing a few or a specific type of file, make sure Dropbox supports the file extension and that there are no abnormalities in them.
By navigating to the file location and looking at the file name, you can eliminate this possibility. If your file name contains any following symbols, Dropbox will not sync it or present errors.
? (Question Mark) | (Vertical Bar) " (Double Quotes) . (Period) * (Asterisk) : (Colon)
When you see files with the symbols mentioned above in their names, rename them and sync them again. If you are sure that files have supported extensions and no non-supported symbols are present, check whether the Windows Firewall blocks Dropbox from syncing those files.
5. Temporarily Disable Your Firewall
Sometimes, some files in your system are protected by the firewall, which doesn’t allow apps to access them. Despite sharing the same extension, protected files are not synchronized in such a scenario. For this reason, it is imperative to disable the firewall temporarily.
If you disable your Firewall, it will reduce packet filtering through your network, so Dropbox will have access to your files to sync them properly. Here are the steps to disable the Firewall:
Search for Control Panel in the Windows search bar and open it. Click on System and Security and select Windows Defender Firewall. Click on Turn Windows Defender firewall on or off and select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall for public and private network settings.
6. Clear Your Dropbox Cache
The Dropbox temp folder may retain deleted files even after the files have been deleted from Dropbox. Over time, the stored cache of these files may interfere with Dropbox’s processing.
Dropbox might sync files with the same name stored in the temp folder, interfering with proper syncing. Therefore, clearing the temp folder regularly is essential.
Open Window Explorer and paste the following address in the location bar to clear the Dropbox cache folder:
This will take you to the Dropbox cache folder, located in the root Dropbox folder, namely .Dropbox.cache. Delete all the files and clear the Recycle Bin as well.
While temporary files are often cleared every three days automatically, there are times when they accumulate. When you encounter syncing issues, consider clearing the cache folder.
You may have to enable hidden folders to view your cache folder if they are not already enabled.
7. Use Selective Sync
Dropbox offers its users a function called Selective Sync that allows them to remove selected Dropbox files from their computers while they remain stored on the Dropbox server. While it helps you clear up some space on your hard drive, using this option can occasionally cause synchronization problems, mainly if you use it quite frequently.
Consider syncing all your files and folder via Selective Sync to ensure no discrepancies between the stored data on both locations. Check if other files are syncing normally after syncing all files again. Although it holds little chance, this may indirectly resolve the syncing problem.
For those who have never used Selective Sync before, here’s how to do it:
Open the Dropbox window by clicking on its icon in the bottom-left corner of the taskbar or expanding the icon tray. Click on your account icon in the opened window in the top-right corner and select Preferences. Navigate to the Sync tab in the Dropbox Preferences window and click on Selective Sync. Check the Select all box in the new tab and click on Update.
If selective syncing all files and folders hasn’t made any difference, consider re-installing Dropbox as a last resort.
RELATED: How to Delete Your Dropbox Account
Sync Your Data Again With Dropbox
These fixes will hopefully resolve Dropbox syncing issues. Consider running a malware scan if none of the fixes have worked. It is also possible that hidden bugs and viruses could stop specific apps from functioning correctly, so ruling out that possibility is also essential.
Are you aware that Dropbox can help locate your stolen or lost device? It does this by keeping track of the IP address where someone attempted to log into your account. You can then log into your account from another computer, know the thief’s IP address, and knock at its door.
