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Dropbox Problem with Preview Pane in Windows 10 Explorer.

Just wondering if anyone has encountered a strange problem, the issue is when in MS Windows Explorer > Navigating to Dropbox Folders and having Windows Preview Pane opened in Windows Explorer. The file shows up on the preview pan, but once you click away or continue to the next file then go back to the previous file the preview pane doesn't show a preview no longer.

The work around ive found was to right click on the file and set to online - only in which case it allows for 1 preview pane viewing then it no longer works until i do it again.

Is there a better solution to this issue?

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Megan

Hey @Conkerah, thanks for posting today!

Would you mind sending me a couple of screenshots re-creating the behavior you mentioned?

Also, what version of the app do you have installed, and what's your syncing status?

Keep me posted.

Conkerah

Hi Lori

Thank you for getting back to me so quickly. I apologize for not responding as quick.

Basically the problem is when using Dropbox from Microsoft Explorer with Preview Pane. When first looking at a file (*.docx or *.pdf) it shows the preview of the file on the preview pane however if i click away or move onto another file and then move back to the previous file it no longer shows the preview on the preview pane. This is a problem as before using Dropbox they were able to see the files in the preview pane.

Ive tried replicating the problem on my end with success same thing happens preview doesn't show. We are using the same version of Dropbox 127.3.4263 running Windows 10 20h2. Ive tried running files from online and local and ive had slightly more success with running local but doesn't always work.

Any ideas will be helpful.

Megan

Happy Friday @Conkerah!

It seems you're using the Beta version of our Dropbox desktop application.

Let's try something:

Go into your account settings on the Dropbox website and turn Early releases off. After that, install one of the stable builds of the Dropbox application.

Does the same behavior happen? If yes, I'd love to see some screenshots so I can have a visual on my end.

Conkerah

Good Afternoon

Thanks for the reply. Ive now uninstalled that version and ive installed the latest stable version i could find.

Which is Version 126.4.4618. Ive also attached a screenshot of the problem.

Dropbox is currently set to Local Only. If you look on the file; the icon to the left has a green tick. When that occurs the file no longer shows the preview. Only when that icon shows 2 grey arrows in a circle is only when im able to see the preview on the preview pane. Once its clicked and i see the preview then click away. i can no longer see the preview unless i right click the file and make it a "online - only"

Dropbox screenshot.jpg

Its super annoying....

Megan

Thank you so much for the screenshots @Conkerah!

Out of curiosity, could you please temporarily quit the Dropbox desktop app and see if the thumbnails change?

Go to the Dropbox icon in your system tray.
Click on your profile picture or initials to the right of the search bar.
Select "Quit Dropbox".

Let me know what you find!

Conkerah

Good morning;

i quit dropbox as requested and it came up with a grey 'X' and in the file previewer it comes up with 'This file cannot be previewed because of an error in the MS Word Previewer'

im guessing its tied to Dropbox services?

regards

Paolo

Megan

Since the thumbnails didn't change after you closed the desktop app, it's possible that they're being influenced by third-party software.

Also, Dropbox isn't running, and the files are still not able to preview, which shows that it's not essentially our app that affects them.

Right here, I'm going to link my colleague @Jay's reply, which will give you an insight as to what might be causing the grey Xs.

Feel free to have a look.

notfrayed

If all else fails, I had the same issue and eventually found OneDrive had something to do with this. Deleted OneDrive, problem solved!

Ed E.1

I am experiencing the same issue as that described by this user. I have not tried uninstalling or disabling One Drive; and I question that that is a solution. I would like to hear back from you, as it is a real pain -- and I believe some Dropbox issue. P.S., the same files in One Drive show up repeatedly in the preview window!

Ed E.1

I am replying to myself to finish the description of the issue. The problem of not appearing in the window after the first shot, is only with respect to Word files a created a year or so before. The problem does not exist with respect to newly created Word files. Yes, I have tried saving the Word file to a new version; but it does not solve the issue. Any solutions, I would love to hear. It interferes with work, as the side window is a tremendous time savor!

Walter

Hey there @Ed E.1 - sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

Could you please send us a screenshot of what you see so that we can have a visual too?

While we're at it, have you tried moving those files outside of your Dropbox folder and them back in?

DanielRendon

having the same problem any solution?

Nocwing

We ran into this problem recently as well for our clients and were able to replicate it across accounts, across computers, across networks. The issue is something to do with Dropbox specifically, but the 3 techs I worked with had no idea how to resolve the issue. What wound up being parroted back to me is there is an unknown 3rd party app causing file preview to not work (but only in the Dropbo folder, not anywhere else). We replicated the issue after uninstalling One Drive and even on fresh Windows installs, so it is safe to say that in some instances file preview simply doesn't work in the Dropbox folder anymore.

GD 5

I'm having the same issue with windows 11. I love how they blame issues on third party apps and have no real solution. I had another issue with Dropbox functioning correctly. After over a month of going back and forth and all they could come up with is that it's most likely a third party app. I had to reboot my computer. If Dropbox wants to keep their clints they better find someone that can help solve the issues and not just blame it on other apps.

I wish my job didn't use Dropbox

jmoney3

I am having the same issue, the only 3rd party app I have is a Raven Scanner. All the files I scan seem to have this problem but I know there is also an issue with a few of my excel files that were never scanned. Does anyone else having this issue actually have a 3rd party application connected to their dropbox?

Hannah

Hey everyone! Thanks for the nudges here.

Are you all still experiencing this issue?

Can you all send over some screenshots of what you see on your end, so we can have a visual of the situation?

Also which version of Dropbox are you using and what's the sync status of the app?

You can see that by hovering your mouse over the Dropbox icon in your system tray.

YZYkithomes

Hi all,

Yes, I am experiencing this issue as well and it is extremely annoying. Pls find the screenshot attached Dropbox - no-preview-14.06.2022_15.02.31_REC.png

Files outside Dropbox do not have this issue.

Any solution on this issue as yet?

Jay

Hi @YZYkithomes, I'd recommend getting in contact with the support team directly for further assistance.

Once you get a ticket ID, please let me know the number here so I can locate it here.

jmoney3

Anything with a green checkmark does not show a preview. (These are all in Dropbox).

Megan

Hi @jmoney3, I hope you're doing well!

Can you follow Jay's steps, as mentioned above in order for you to contact our Support team about this?

Keep me posted with the ticket number once you do. Thanks!

EZB

Hi, i am having the same problem with the preview pane on file explorer for dropbox files that shows me the file just once in the preview and when I go away from that file and come back again it does not show up. did you find the problem?

F10catherine

I am having the same issues of all previews not showing in explorer. I tried contacting support but was just told its due to a third party app and they cannot assist. I don't see this is a third party app problem to be honest....

YZYkithomes

Hi all,

I got the same answer "due to a third party app and they cannot assist". This is definitely not the case, but mostly a compatibility issue with Windows 10 and 11. We're looking for alternatives to Dropbox and this makes work very inefficient. Any alternatives here can anyone recommend?

jmoney3

I am curious what 3rd party application you are using that would be causing this error? If we are all using a different 3rd party, I don't see how it could be the 3rd party error. I am using a Raven Scanner.

F10catherine

As far as im aware im not using a 3rd party app similar that could be conflicting, they just seemed to direct it at Windows explorer in my case....

Megan

Hey all, I hope you're doing well!

Your feedback regarding this has been very valuable and I will endeavor to make sure your voice is heard.

I will pass on your comments to the relevant departments so that we can further improve our product.

If you need anything else, let me know.

Libbie1

Hello,

I also haven't been able to use the preview pane for months now. It is very frustrating and very time consuming for work to not be able to preview any of my Dropbox documents. Megan, does Dropbox really not know how to fix this? Please help us!

Thank you!

CouruDavance

I have the same problem at this day with the latest application.

What is the solution.

Walter

Hey @CouruDavance, sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

Can you please clarify the version and status of the Dropbox desktop app as shown in your menu bar/taskbar on your computer?

Have you tried rebooting your computer since you first noticed this?

CouruDavance

hello,

Of course rebooting with no more success. Same problem after uninstall/reinstall.

App version Dropbox v161.3.4815 windows 10

Hope you will have the anwser.

Thanks for your help.