Couldn't Start Dropbox

Hi @Musicstate,

The issue you are experiencing isn't related to any access or permission troubles. It's just a standard error message for everything (with or without real permission issues). The issue is definitely related to the path you selected for your Dropbox folder. It may be due to change/move in this path, for example, or some other similar change. Don't try to change Dropbox folder name or the path pointed to there after you have selected it!

To solve it, you have to unlink the application from your account and link it anew. Remove your troublesome application/device out from your device list. Scroll down to the desired device if need. Click on trash bin next to the desired list entry. This will make sure your device isn't in link to the Dropbox server, but the application itself can still be unaware of that. Forcibly unlink it using following command in terminal:

rm -rf ~/.dropbox

The above guarantees that no any trace from previous link lefts, able to prevent further application work. Now you can link your Dropbox application to your Dropbox account anew by signing in again. 😉

Hope this helps.

Edit: Oh.. you are on Windows. One of the rule above is related to Mac/Linux only. 🤷 My fault. Instead of the command above remove Dropbox folder residing in "C:\Users\music\AppData\Local" (not the one that keeps your data).

All comments

Hi @Musicstate,

rm -rf ~/.dropbox

Hope this helps.

Musicstate

Thanks very much Здравко!, this did the trick.

One thing to add to all of this is during the installation you need to select Advanced to choose another installation directory from the default location

Musicstate

Primo_Susto

-"This is the way"-
Thank you very much, for me (in mac) after hours of searching, uninstalling and installing several times, I finally found your answer in the forum.

It was as easy as just:

- *with dorpbox installed but closed
- open terminal
- copy paste:

rm -rf ~/.dropbox

- press enter

- open Dropbox
- working like nothing wrong ever happened

My Dropbox suddenly stopped syncing two days ago, and as of last night it will not start at all. I am receiving the following error message when I click on the Dropbox icon on my Windows 10 Desktop: "Couldn't start Dropbox. This is usually because of a permissions error. Storing your home folder on a network share can also cause an error."

I am using Windows 10 and I have no pending system software updates.

I have tried all of the solutions on the permissions error support page, none of which resolved my issue. https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/sync-uploads/files-not-syncing

I tried uninstalling and reinstalling the application multiple times. I tried Advanced Uninstall. Every time I reinstall, I have this same error message. I tried unlinking my account from the desktop app. When I tried to contact Dropbox, the Chatbot pointed me to the community forum. I have a free account, not a paid account.

I tried the solution proposed here, but removing Dropbox from C:\Users\username\AppData\Local did not solve the problem. https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Create-upload-and-share/Couldn-t-Start-Dropbox/m-p/577691#M50944

Thank you for any suggestions! The error message says to contact Dropbox Support with the following:
bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
bn.VERSION: 154.4.5363
bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 52
bn.is_frozen: True
machine_id: 18a51a83-5e05-4fd4-b71e-a8f354494112
pid: 19872
cwd: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Update\\1.3.583.1'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Update\\1.3.583.1'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
HOME: None
appdata: 'C:\\Users\\Jen\\AppData\\Local\\Dropbox\\instance1'
real_path='C:\\Users\\Jen\\AppData\\Local\\Dropbox\\instance1'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
dropbox_path: 'C:\\Users\\Jen\\Dropbox'
real_path='C:\\Users\\Jen\\Dropbox'
mode=0o40555 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
sys_executable: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\Dropbox.exe'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\Dropbox.exe'
mode=0o100777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
trace.__file__: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\154.4.5363\\python-packages.zip\\dropbox\\client\\ui\\common\\boot_error.pyc'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\154.4.5363\\python-packages.zip\\dropbox\\client\\ui\\common\\boot_error.pyc'
not found
parent not found
TMP: C:\Users\Jen\AppData\Local\Temp
TEMP: C:\Users\Jen\AppData\Local\Temp
tempdir: 'C:\\Users\\Jen\\AppData\\Local\\Temp'
real_path='C:\\Users\\Jen\\AppData\\Local\\Temp'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 828, in wrapper
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 6623, in finish_dropbox_boot
File "dropbox\client\message_queue.pyc", line 311, in _wrapped
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 6147, in _init_components_for_account
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 6071, in create_sync_engine
File "dropbox\sync_engine_boundary\factory.pyc", line 225, in make_sync_engine
File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\sync_engine.pyc", line 251, in __init__
File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\modern_client\modern_client.pyc", line 261, in __init__
File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\modern_client\base.pyc", line 189, in __init__
File "dropbox\fs_api\lifecycle.pyc", line 192, in __init__
File "dropbox\fs_api\lifecycle.pyc", line 206, in _create_thin_client
File "dropbox\fs_api\fs_api_adapter.pyc", line 50, in __init__
File "desktop\extensions\fs_api\fs_api_python.pyx", line 63, in fs_api_python.FsApiServer.__cinit__
fs_api_python.FsApiError: "Initializing fs api |>> Initializing application filesystem |>> Attempting to initialize dbx cache directory |>> NtSetBasicInformation syscall: new handle |>> ACCESS_DENIED |>> Permission denied"

I am experiencing this same issue in Windows 10 but removing Dropbox from C:\Users\username\AppData\Local did not solve the problem. Dropbox still won't start. I posted my similar issue here: https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Apps-and-Installations/Couldn-t-start-Dropbox-permissions-error/m-p/616430#M43261

Any advice is welcome, thank you!

Here is my error message:

bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
bn.VERSION: 154.4.5363
bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 52
bn.is_frozen: True
machine_id: 18a51a83-5e05-4fd4-b71e-a8f354494112
pid: 19872
cwd: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Update\\1.3.583.1'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Update\\1.3.583.1'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
HOME: None
appdata: 'C:\\Users\\Jen\\AppData\\Local\\Dropbox\\instance1'
real_path='C:\\Users\\Jen\\AppData\\Local\\Dropbox\\instance1'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
dropbox_path: 'C:\\Users\\Jen\\Dropbox'
real_path='C:\\Users\\Jen\\Dropbox'
mode=0o40555 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
sys_executable: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\Dropbox.exe'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\Dropbox.exe'
mode=0o100777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
trace.__file__: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\154.4.5363\\python-packages.zip\\dropbox\\client\\ui\\common\\boot_error.pyc'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\154.4.5363\\python-packages.zip\\dropbox\\client\\ui\\common\\boot_error.pyc'
not found
parent not found
TMP: C:\Users\Jen\AppData\Local\Temp
TEMP: C:\Users\Jen\AppData\Local\Temp
tempdir: 'C:\\Users\\Jen\\AppData\\Local\\Temp'
real_path='C:\\Users\\Jen\\AppData\\Local\\Temp'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 828, in wrapper
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 6623, in finish_dropbox_boot
File "dropbox\client\message_queue.pyc", line 311, in _wrapped
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 6147, in _init_components_for_account
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 6071, in create_sync_engine
File "dropbox\sync_engine_boundary\factory.pyc", line 225, in make_sync_engine
File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\sync_engine.pyc", line 251, in __init__
File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\modern_client\modern_client.pyc", line 261, in __init__
File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\modern_client\base.pyc", line 189, in __init__
File "dropbox\fs_api\lifecycle.pyc", line 192, in __init__
File "dropbox\fs_api\lifecycle.pyc", line 206, in _create_thin_client
File "dropbox\fs_api\fs_api_adapter.pyc", line 50, in __init__
File "desktop\extensions\fs_api\fs_api_python.pyx", line 63, in fs_api_python.FsApiServer.__cinit__
fs_api_python.FsApiError: "Initializing fs api |>> Initializing application filesystem |>> Attempting to initialize dbx cache directory |>> NtSetBasicInformation syscall: new handle |>> ACCESS_DENIED |>> Permission denied"

Walter

Hey @jen1147, sorry to hear about this.

Could you perform a clean, advanced reinstall and let us know how it goes?

If you happen to be on the Basic plan, make sure to have less than 3 devices connected to your account.

@jen1147 wrote:
...
File "desktop\extensions\fs_api\fs_api_python.pyx", line 63, in fs_api_python.FsApiServer.__cinit__
fs_api_python.FsApiError: "Initializing fs api |>> Initializing application filesystem |>> Attempting to initialize dbx cache directory |>> NtSetBasicInformation syscall: new handle |>> ACCESS_DENIED |>> Permission denied"

Hi @jen1147,

Your issue seems completely different that the one represented in OP. That's why presented solution doesn't work for you (reinstall, including advanced, likely wouldn't work too). For some reason the access to your Dropbox folder (or part of it) seems limited. It's difficult to predict what's the exact reason. Whatever is it, the Dropbox application fails on try to access its cache. In your Dropbox folder (C:\Users\Jen\Dropbox) is a subfolder named ".dropbox.cache". This subfolder is hidden and to be able see it, you have to make sure your file browser is set to show hidden files/folders. Check what's wrong there - limited access, missing write permissions, etc. Fix any issues you are able find out. If no luck still, it's safe to just delete it. The application will recreate this subfolder on next run (or will try at least), hopefully with right permissions. Give a try. 😉

Good luck.

Thanks, @Walter, but unfortunately these solutions did not work either. I performed an advanced uninstall and confirmed I am only signed on to 2 devices on the Basic plan. Dropbox still won't start. I also confirmed that Dropbox is allowed through my firewall and that my system has full control permissions of the Dropbox folder.

Thanks, @Здравко, but unfortunately Dropbox still won't start. I checked the permissions on the dropbox.cache folder and it said "full control." I then deleted the dropbox.cache folder. I also checked my settings in Windows Defender and it says the Dropbox app is allowed through the firewall. Any other suggestions? Thanks again!

Hi @jen1147,

After all steps you have taken, does the error message stay the same or changed little bit? 🧐 Can you check?

@Здравко thanks for the follow-up! I'm not sure if there is a difference. My current error message is:
bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
bn.VERSION: 155.4.5493
bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 52
bn.is_frozen: True
machine_id: 18a51a83-5e05-4fd4-b71e-a8f354494112
pid: 22076
cwd: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
HOME: None
appdata: 'C:\\Users\\Jen\\AppData\\Local\\Dropbox\\instance1'
real_path='C:\\Users\\Jen\\AppData\\Local\\Dropbox\\instance1'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
dropbox_path: 'C:\\Users\\Jen\\Dropbox'
real_path='C:\\Users\\Jen\\Dropbox'
mode=0o40555 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
sys_executable: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\Dropbox.exe'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\Dropbox.exe'
mode=0o100777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
trace.__file__: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\155.4.5493\\python-packages.zip\\dropbox\\client\\ui\\common\\boot_error.pyc'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\155.4.5493\\python-packages.zip\\dropbox\\client\\ui\\common\\boot_error.pyc'
not found
parent not found
TMP: C:\Users\Jen\AppData\Local\Temp
TEMP: C:\Users\Jen\AppData\Local\Temp
tempdir: 'C:\\Users\\Jen\\AppData\\Local\\Temp'
real_path='C:\\Users\\Jen\\AppData\\Local\\Temp'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 828, in wrapper
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 6646, in finish_dropbox_boot
File "dropbox\client\message_queue.pyc", line 311, in _wrapped
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 6170, in _init_components_for_account
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 6094, in create_sync_engine
File "dropbox\sync_engine_boundary\factory.pyc", line 225, in make_sync_engine
File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\sync_engine.pyc", line 251, in __init__
File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\modern_client\modern_client.pyc", line 261, in __init__
File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\modern_client\base.pyc", line 189, in __init__
File "dropbox\fs_api\lifecycle.pyc", line 192, in __init__
File "dropbox\fs_api\lifecycle.pyc", line 206, in _create_thin_client
File "dropbox\fs_api\fs_api_adapter.pyc", line 50, in __init__
File "desktop\extensions\fs_api\fs_api_python.pyx", line 63, in fs_api_python.FsApiServer.__cinit__
fs_api_python.FsApiError: "Initializing fs api |>> Initializing application filesystem |>> Attempting to initialize dbx cache directory |>> NtSetBasicInformation syscall: new handle |>> ACCESS_DENIED |>> Permission denied"

Could you temporarily disable any antivirus or firewall you may have running on your computer and let us know if you're still getting the same error @jen1147?

@Walter my error message after completing the advanced reinstall is the following. I confirmed the Dropbox folder has full permissions and the Dropbox app is allowed through my firewall. Unfortunately Dropbox still won't start and it's giving me a permissions error. I'm not sure if this error message is any different. Any further suggestions? Thank you!

bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
bn.VERSION: 155.4.5493
bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 52
bn.is_frozen: True
machine_id: 18a51a83-5e05-4fd4-b71e-a8f354494112
pid: 22076
cwd: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
HOME: None
appdata: 'C:\\Users\\Jen\\AppData\\Local\\Dropbox\\instance1'
real_path='C:\\Users\\Jen\\AppData\\Local\\Dropbox\\instance1'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
dropbox_path: 'C:\\Users\\Jen\\Dropbox'
real_path='C:\\Users\\Jen\\Dropbox'
mode=0o40555 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
sys_executable: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\Dropbox.exe'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\Dropbox.exe'
mode=0o100777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
trace.__file__: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\155.4.5493\\python-packages.zip\\dropbox\\client\\ui\\common\\boot_error.pyc'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\155.4.5493\\python-packages.zip\\dropbox\\client\\ui\\common\\boot_error.pyc'
not found
parent not found
TMP: C:\Users\Jen\AppData\Local\Temp
TEMP: C:\Users\Jen\AppData\Local\Temp
tempdir: 'C:\\Users\\Jen\\AppData\\Local\\Temp'
real_path='C:\\Users\\Jen\\AppData\\Local\\Temp'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 828, in wrapper
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 6646, in finish_dropbox_boot
File "dropbox\client\message_queue.pyc", line 311, in _wrapped
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 6170, in _init_components_for_account
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 6094, in create_sync_engine
File "dropbox\sync_engine_boundary\factory.pyc", line 225, in make_sync_engine
File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\sync_engine.pyc", line 251, in __init__
File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\modern_client\modern_client.pyc", line 261, in __init__
File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\modern_client\base.pyc", line 189, in __init__
File "dropbox\fs_api\lifecycle.pyc", line 192, in __init__
File "dropbox\fs_api\lifecycle.pyc", line 206, in _create_thin_client
File "dropbox\fs_api\fs_api_adapter.pyc", line 50, in __init__
File "desktop\extensions\fs_api\fs_api_python.pyx", line 63, in fs_api_python.FsApiServer.__cinit__
fs_api_python.FsApiError: "Initializing fs api |>> Initializing application filesystem |>> Attempting to initialize dbx cache directory |>> NtSetBasicInformation syscall: new handle |>> ACCESS_DENIED |>> Permission denied"

Walter

Hi!

I have the same error message when Dropbox starts. I've tried all proposed solution without any success, including disabling Windows Defender.

I have Dropbox folder in another drive, not the default location but all permissions seem to be OK. This drive is a mounted VeraCrypt drive and I have this same setup in 2 PC for several years without issues. Now, only one of them has this problem (it's a recent issue for me).

If I restart Windows than Dropbox starts OK but after some time it gets stuck synching files. If I close Dropbox from the system tray and then start the app it displays that error message pointing to usually permissions error but I think my case may be different because my error file differs a bit from other users as you can see in the last lines below....

Any thoughts? I'm starting to think about replacing Dropbox after so many years of great experiences...

Thank you!

bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
bn.VERSION: 155.4.5495
bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 52
bn.is_frozen: True
machine_id: a060b326-d9d3-4c59-85fb-ed008080cb86
pid: 12928
cwd: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
HOME: None
appdata: 'C:\\Users\\vitor.amorim\\AppData\\Local\\Dropbox\\instance1'
real_path='C:\\Users\\vitor.amorim\\AppData\\Local\\Dropbox\\instance1'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
dropbox_path: 'Z:\\Dropbox'
real_path='Z:\\Dropbox'
mode=0o40555 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40555 uid=0 gid=0
sys_executable: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\Dropbox.exe'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\Dropbox.exe'
mode=0o100777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
trace.__file__: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\155.4.5495\\python-packages.zip\\dropbox\\client\\ui\\common\\boot_error.pyc'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\155.4.5495\\python-packages.zip\\dropbox\\client\\ui\\common\\boot_error.pyc'
not found
parent not found
TMP: C:\Users\VITOR~1.AMO\AppData\Local\Temp
TEMP: C:\Users\VITOR~1.AMO\AppData\Local\Temp
tempdir: 'C:\\Users\\VITOR~1.AMO\\AppData\\Local\\Temp'
real_path='C:\\Users\\vitor.amorim\\AppData\\Local\\Temp'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 828, in wrapper
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 6646, in finish_dropbox_boot
File "dropbox\client\message_queue.pyc", line 311, in _wrapped
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 6170, in _init_components_for_account
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 6094, in create_sync_engine
File "dropbox\sync_engine_boundary\factory.pyc", line 225, in make_sync_engine
File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\sync_engine.pyc", line 251, in __init__
File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\modern_client\modern_client.pyc", line 261, in __init__
File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\modern_client\base.pyc", line 189, in __init__
File "dropbox\fs_api\lifecycle.pyc", line 192, in __init__
File "dropbox\fs_api\lifecycle.pyc", line 206, in _create_thin_client
File "dropbox\fs_api\fs_api_adapter.pyc", line 50, in __init__
File "desktop\extensions\fs_api\fs_api_python.pyx", line 63, in fs_api_python.FsApiServer.__cinit__
fs_api_python.FsApiError: "Initializing fs api |>> Initializing platform |>> File not found"

@Vitor_Amorim wrote:
...
fs_api_python.FsApiError: "Initializing fs api |>> Initializing platform |>> File not found"

Hi @Vitor_Amorim,

Yes, for sure your state is different and not the same as those reported before. Unfortunately, in many cases, the messages (like the above) are not clear enough. Here, for example, isn't clear what file, actually, is "not found"! 🤷 And so, you can't check actually what's wrong. This could be a signal for the developers of Dropbox application to format every error message more clear and complete (especially to Rust coders, responsible for the code where this message originates from).

Nancy

Hi @Vitor_Amorim, sorry for jumping in here.

Just to clarify and narrow down the issue, can you let me know if you’ve also tried an advanced reinstall?

If so, did it seem to help at all?

@Здравко and @Walter thank you both for your help! I temporarily disabled Windows Defender and Dropbox started syncing again. Now my issue is, I still need Dropbox to sync while my antivirus is enabled. What’s odd to me is, under the control panel settings for Windows Defender Firewall, Dropbox is already checked off under "Allowed apps and features." Any other suggestions? Perhaps I need to "Add an exclusion" under Windows Security. If so, I would appreciate instructions. Thanks again.

Megan

Hi @jen1147, can you take a look into this Help Center article on how you can whitelist Dropbox, and let me know if this does the trick for you?

Hi @jen1147,

To be honest, I don't use your software and don't know in details what you are seeing. Better read associated documentation; I believe there is detailed enough description what you can do. The most important is that you have found what's the reason. 😉

Good luck.

@Megan wrote:
Hi @jen1147, can you take a look into this Help Center article ...

The article:
...
Allow Dropbox access to ports 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS), and 17600 and 17603 (to open files in third party applications).
...

Hi @Megan,

I haven't noticed before, but in the article you linked to is a mistake. Actual loopback ports in use are NOT 17600 and 17603, but 3 port from 17600 to 17602 inclusive (i.e. ports 17600 and 17601, and 17602)! Dropbox application doesn't use port 17603. Most probably typing mistake. 🙂 I believe you will forward this to the person/people responsible for the pointed help article for corrections.

Have a nice day.

ADD: @Megan, One more thing is completely missing! How/where LAN Sync comes through? 🧐 Doesn't some port engage especially for this? There is such port actually. 😜 It's missing in the article too. If Dropbox application can't open port 17500 (both TCP and UDP) LAN Sync will never get up. By the way, all other ports needed are TCP only (something that misses in the description too).

@Megan thanks for the link to the article https://help.dropbox.com/installs/configuring-firewall. I already saw it previously, but unfortunately, I don't know how allow Dropbox access to ports 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS), and 17600 and 17603, or how to check if it already has access.

Hi @Nancy !

Thank you very much for your message because I missed that advanced reinstall tip. My bad because I thougt I had tried all suggestions!

I tried that after your message and it seems to be ok for now.

Lets see if it was enough. 😀

Best regards,

Vitor

Hi @Nancy .

After a few days OK, the problem showed up again and I have no clue on how to solve...

Here is the current error log, it seems the same.

Thank you!

bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
bn.VERSION: 156.4.4908
bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 52
bn.is_frozen: True
machine_id: a060b326-d9d3-4c59-85fb-ed008080cb86
pid: 29576
cwd: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
HOME: None
appdata: 'C:\\Users\\vitor.amorim\\AppData\\Local\\Dropbox\\instance1'
real_path='C:\\Users\\vitor.amorim\\AppData\\Local\\Dropbox\\instance1'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
dropbox_path: 'Z:\\Dropbox'
real_path='Z:\\Dropbox'
mode=0o40555 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40555 uid=0 gid=0
sys_executable: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\Dropbox.exe'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\Dropbox.exe'
mode=0o100777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
trace.__file__: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\156.4.4908\\python-packages.zip\\dropbox\\client\\ui\\common\\boot_error.pyc'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\156.4.4908\\python-packages.zip\\dropbox\\client\\ui\\common\\boot_error.pyc'
not found
parent not found
TMP: C:\Users\VITOR~1.AMO\AppData\Local\Temp
TEMP: C:\Users\VITOR~1.AMO\AppData\Local\Temp
tempdir: 'C:\\Users\\VITOR~1.AMO\\AppData\\Local\\Temp'
real_path='C:\\Users\\vitor.amorim\\AppData\\Local\\Temp'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 820, in wrapper
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 6491, in finish_dropbox_boot
File "dropbox\client\message_queue.pyc", line 311, in _wrapped
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 6016, in _init_components_for_account
File "dropbox\client\main.pyc", line 5940, in create_sync_engine
File "dropbox\sync_engine_boundary\factory.pyc", line 225, in make_sync_engine
File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\sync_engine.pyc", line 251, in __init__
File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\modern_client\modern_client.pyc", line 263, in __init__
File "dropbox\sync_engine\nucleus\classic_client\modern_client\base.pyc", line 189, in __init__
File "dropbox\fs_api\lifecycle.pyc", line 192, in __init__
File "dropbox\fs_api\lifecycle.pyc", line 206, in _create_thin_client
File "dropbox\fs_api\fs_api_adapter.pyc", line 50, in __init__
File "desktop\extensions\fs_api\fs_api_python.pyx", line 63, in fs_api_python.FsApiServer.__cinit__
fs_api_python.FsApiError: "Initializing fs api |>> Initializing platform |>> File not found"

Hi!

Just upgraded from Windows 10 to 11 (with all updates) and this problem persists (haven't done any normal or advanced Dropbox reinstall)...

Is it possible to install a previous Dropbox version and skip the current one 156.4.4908?

This problem is strange because I have this Dropbox version in other PC without issues...

Thank you!

Nancy

Hi again, @Vitor_Amorim!

In general, the Dropbox app will eventually get automatically updated to the latest app version, so this may not help.

However, since the same issue persists, I can open a ticket for you instead.

I’d like to check this internally and see if there’s something else going on.