Dropbox on Mac not starting after recent upgrade

Uninstalled Dropbox.

Deleted Dropbox folder.

De-linked the computer from online account.

Removed all temporary files following a Community post.

Installed Dropbox again, logged in, didn't use the update.

Dropbox folder back on user folder and not in Location.

Files syncing now.

Not the perfect solution, but best I could do after a long online chat, multiple emails and then no response from Dropbox team for 8 hours. I like Dropbox. But today very disappointed with support service.

All comments

Below is the original message from this morning.

The one posted above is what I received after trying to install other versions available under "Desktop Client build" listings. I have gone back and forth trying to install old and new versions. But none of them solved the issue.

Sincerely,

Sejuti

bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
bn.VERSION: 165.4.4300
bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 59
bn.is_frozen: True
machine_id: 026d4a6e-63a6-50b5-ba54-40a552b90f30
pid: 1959
ppid: 1
uid: 502
user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='raf1', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=502, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='RAF24', pw_dir='/Users/raf1', pw_shell='/bin/bash')
effective_user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='raf1', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=502, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='RAF24', pw_dir='/Users/raf1', pw_shell='/bin/bash')
euid: 502
gid: 20
egid: 20
group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', 'raf1', '_nsurlstoraged', '_serialnumberd'])
effective_group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', 'raf1', '_nsurlstoraged', '_serialnumberd'])
DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH: None
cwd: '/'
real_path='/'
mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
HOME: '/Users/raf1'
appdata: '/Users/raf1/.dropbox/instance1'
real_path='/Users/raf1/.dropbox/instance1'
mode=0o40700 uid=502 gid=80
parent mode=0o40700 uid=502 gid=80
dropbox_path: '/Users/raf1/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox'
real_path='/Users/raf1/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox'
mode=0o40700 uid=502 gid=80
parent mode=0o40755 uid=502 gid=20
sys_executable: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
mode=0o100755 uid=502 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=502 gid=20
trace.__file__: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'
real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'
not found
parent not found
tempdir: '/var/folders/wj/939t0nbj16b3wpfs0q779htc0000gp/T'
real_path='/private/var/folders/wj/939t0nbj16b3wpfs0q779htc0000gp/T'
mode=0o40700 uid=502 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=502 gid=20
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 5150, in _setup_root_for_account
File "dropbox/sync_root/helpers.pyc", line 481, in get_root_for_account
File "dropbox/foundation/futures/basic.pyc", line 853, in result
File "dropbox/sync_root/handlers/macos/file_provider.pyc", line 121, in set_result_or_convert_exception
dropbox.mac.internal.MacError: [Errno -2001] Error Domain=NSFileProviderErrorDomain Code=-2001 "No valid file provider found with identifier com.getdropbox.dropbox.fileprovider/1a7b1213-4ffc-4b6b-8757-f4beb48082ee." UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=No valid file provider found with identifier com.getdropbox.dropbox.fileprovider/1a7b1213-4ffc-4b6b-8757-f4beb48082ee.}

Uninstalled Dropbox.

Deleted Dropbox folder.

De-linked the computer from online account.

Removed all temporary files following a Community post.

Installed Dropbox again, logged in, didn't use the update.

Dropbox folder back on user folder and not in Location.

Files syncing now.

coachjanem

Thanks SO MUCH for your post. I was having the same issue. I did what you said. Reinstall worked.

I did have to dig around a bit to find the community post you were referencing. I never found the exact one but I found something else online that seemed to do the trick to help me clear out cached files. If you have the link to that community post, it might make it easier for my next computer (I have to do this on 2 of them).

Thanks again!

Jane

https://www.macube.com/how-to/uninstall-dropbox-from-mac.html

@coachjanem Thank you for your reply! Scrolling back I also could not find the exact post either.

But I found this article online which mentions the exact steps that worked for me.

Hope this helps.

Sejuti

@coachjanem

Found the posts. Linking them below.

Community post 1 - This helped find all the files. (Also mentioned on the link I shared earlier).

Community post 2 - used the link to the Help Centre article mentioned in the reply - did not need all of it. But it was useful.

Sejuti

Bianchi Sound

That's ridiculous. I have the same problem, with the added problem that since the "Upgrade" (LOL) any time I try to move files on my Mac desktop, the transfers are taking forever. Dropbox screwed something up with my file system somehow. I can't believe I'm actually paying for this. Maybe not for much longer...

Sorry to hear about this. Hopefully going back to old settings/re-installing would work for you as well.

I saw many in the community are facing the same issue. This is still at Beta stage, to keep up with all the recent changes on Mac. Hopefully, the team will figure it out soon. I like the DropBox app. For the time being, I need to be patient and not click on the Beta upgrades.

altarthedeer

When I opened the app, it prompts me this error, and immediately shuts itself down:

I use MacOS Ventura 13.3. I tried reinstalling the app, yet it did not work.

Here is the error I got:

This may be a temporary error. Please restart Dropbox.

For more information, click the help button.

Couldn't start Dropbox.

bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox

bn.VERSION: 170.4.5895

bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 61

bn.is_frozen: True

machine_id: 78bfae4c-2acb-536b-881e-85fa8ccf3ffc

pid: 17217

ppid: 1

uid: 501

user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='altar', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=501, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='Altar Lüser', pw_dir='/Users/altar', pw_shell='/bin/zsh')

effective_user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='altar', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=501, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='Altar Lüser', pw_dir='/Users/altar', pw_shell='/bin/zsh')

euid: 501

gid: 20

egid: 20

group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', 'altar'])

effective_group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', 'altar'])

DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH: None

cwd: '/'

real_path='/'

mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0

parent mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0

HOME: '/Users/altar'

appdata: '/Users/altar/.dropbox/instance1'

real_path='/Users/altar/.dropbox/instance1'

mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=20

parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20

dropbox_path: '/Users/altar/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox'

real_path='/Users/altar/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox'

not found

parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20

sys_executable: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'

real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'

mode=0o100755 uid=501 gid=20

parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20

trace.__file__: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'

real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'

not found

parent not found

tempdir: '/var/folders/3t/6s588t1n0g7g900_9hfrw1z00000gn/T'

real_path='/private/var/folders/3t/6s588t1n0g7g900_9hfrw1z00000gn/T'

mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=20

parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20

Traceback (most recent call last):

File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 5196, in _setup_root_for_account

File "dropbox/sync_root/helpers.pyc", line 511, in get_root_for_account

File "dropbox/foundation/futures/basic.pyc", line 853, in result

File "dropbox/sync_root/handlers/macos/file_provider.pyc", line 121, in set_result_or_convert_exception

dropbox.mac.internal.MacError: [Errno -2001] Error Domain=NSFileProviderErrorDomain Code=-2001 "No valid file provider found with identifier ‘com.getdropbox.dropbox.fileprovider/b578db89-c49e-459f-adfa-1a2775acb6ae’." UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=No valid file provider found with identifier ‘com.getdropbox.dropbox.fileprovider/b578db89-c49e-459f-adfa-1a2775acb6ae’.}

Hi @altarthedeer, thanks for posting here today!

Did you try quitting the app and relaunching it at all? Could you check if this persists after rebooting your computer?

If it does, you may need to perform a clean, advanced reinstall.

In any case, please keep me posted!

bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox

bn.VERSION: 174.4.5852

bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 61

bn.is_frozen: True

machine_id: bd244b78-20f5-59ea-a034-14c5508457ee

pid: 1162

ppid: 1

uid: 501

user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='anirudh', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=501, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='Anirudh Malpani', pw_dir='/Users/anirudh', pw_shell='/bin/zsh')

effective_user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='anirudh', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=501, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='Anirudh Malpani', pw_dir='/Users/anirudh', pw_shell='/bin/zsh')

euid: 501

gid: 20

egid: 20

group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root'])

effective_group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root'])

DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH: None

cwd: '/'

real_path='/'

mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0

parent mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0

HOME: '/Users/anirudh'

appdata: '/Users/anirudh/.dropbox/instance2'

real_path='/Users/anirudh/.dropbox/instance2'

mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=20

parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20

dropbox_path: '/Users/anirudh/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox'

real_path='/Users/anirudh/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox'

mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=20

parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20

sys_executable: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'

real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'

mode=0o100755 uid=501 gid=20

parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20

trace.__file__: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'

real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'

not found

parent not found

tempdir: '/var/folders/7v/44_lxq_927g7qqbny_c69xx40000gn/T'

real_path='/private/var/folders/7v/44_lxq_927g7qqbny_c69xx40000gn/T'

mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=20

parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20

Traceback (most recent call last):

File "desktop/dropbox/client/main.py", line 5315, in _setup_root_for_account

File "desktop/dropbox/sync_root/helpers.py", line 511, in get_root_for_account

File "desktop/dropbox/foundation/futures/basic.py", line 857, in result

File "desktop/dropbox/sync_root/handlers/macos/file_provider.py", line 121, in set_result_or_convert_exception

dropbox.mac.internal.MacError: [Errno -2001] Error Domain=NSFileProviderErrorDomain Code=-2001 "No valid file provider found with identifier ‘com.getdropbox.dropbox.fileprovider/cfeae1ca-59a4-4ba6-aa7a-a345f6f9356c’." UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=No valid file provider found with identifier ‘com.getdropbox.dropbox.fileprovider/cfeae1ca-59a4-4ba6-aa7a-a345f6f9356c’.}

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

Can you please quit the Dropbox app and then relaunch it from your Applications folder, to see if that helps?

already done that. Also uninstalled and reinstalled but the issue is the same. it isn't working and this is the message I am getting.

Hey @Malpani, can I send you an email, in order for us to have a closer look into this?

sure. do you have my email address?

Hey @Malpani, yes, I got you!

I just sent you an email, and I'll see you there. Cheers!

cleversam

I found people having an issue with a similar error message, but mine doesn't mention permissions. That said, in the .txt file, the final line says "Permission denied".

Basically I've completely removed (via the advanced reinstall) Dropbox and re-installed it and am still getting the same error message after logging the Mac Desktop App into my account.

The message reads the following:

Couldn't start Dropbox.

This may be a temporary error. Please restart Dropbox.

For more information, click the help button.

And then there's a .txt file with the following content:

bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
bn.VERSION: 179.4.4985
bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 62
bn.is_frozen: True
machine_id: b1d61806-f812-5ba2-982c-336b2cd2afc7
pid: 866
ppid: 1
uid: 503
user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='***', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=503, pw_gid=20,
effective_user_info: pwd.struct_passwd
euid: 503
gid: 20
egid: 20
group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', 'dit', '_nsurlstoraged', '_serialnumberd'])
effective_group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', 'dit', '_nsurlstoraged', '_serialnumberd'])
DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH: None
cwd: '/'
real_path='/'
mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
HOME: '/Users/***'
appdata: '/Users/***/.dropbox/instance1'
real_path='/Users/***/.dropbox/instance1'
mode=0o40700 uid=503 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=503 gid=20
dropbox_path: '/Users/***/Dropbox'
real_path='/Users/***/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox'
mode=0o40755 uid=503 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=503 gid=20
sys_executable: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
mode=0o100755 uid=503 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=503 gid=20
trace.__file__: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'
real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'
not found
parent not found
tempdir: '/var/folders/cw/91xsvq6d5v52gyw7hlbjlk5c0000gq/T'
real_path='/private/var/folders/cw/91xsvq6d5v52gyw7hlbjlk5c0000gq/T'
mode=0o40700 uid=503 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=503 gid=20
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "desktop/dropbox/client/main.py", line 835, in wrapper
File "desktop/dropbox/client/main.py", line 6538, in finish_dropbox_boot
File "desktop/dropbox/client/message_queue.py", line 306, in _wrapped
File "desktop/dropbox/client/main.py", line 6063, in _init_components_for_account
File "desktop/dropbox/client/main.py", line 5986, in create_sync_engine
File "desktop/dropbox/sync_engine_boundary/factory.py", line 225, in make_sync_engine
File "desktop/dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/sync_engine.py", line 243, in __init__
File "desktop/dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/modern_client/modern_client.py", line 282, in __init__
File "desktop/dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/modern_client/base.py", line 192, in __init__
File "desktop/dropbox/fs_api/lifecycle.py", line 192, in __init__
File "desktop/dropbox/fs_api/lifecycle.py", line 206, in _create_thin_client
File "desktop/dropbox/fs_api/fs_api_adapter.py", 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 |>> Opening worker root directory |>> open syscall |>> Permission denied"

Any help or ideas would really be appreciated

Hi @cleversam, sorry to hear about that!

You mentioned you've already performed the steps to an advanced re-install. In that case, can I send you an email in order for us to have a closer look into this?

Keep me posted!

sure as my problem hasn't been solved a yet.

Hey @Malpani, I just reached out to you, so we'll continue via email!

Yuq

it cannot start.

I tried to delete and download but it doesn't work, it is the newest version.

here is the txt:

bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
bn.VERSION: 187.4.5691
bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 67
bn.is_frozen: True
machine_id: 3448498e-b65e-50cc-8c93-58c8b0f27df0
pid: 2072
ppid: 1
uid: 501

euid: 501
gid: 20
egid: 20
group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root'])
effective_group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root'])
DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH: None
cwd: '/'
real_path='/'
mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
HOME: '/Users/Qi'
appdata: '/Users/mac/.dropbox/instance1'
real_path='/Users/mac/.dropbox/instance1'
mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=80
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=80
dropbox_path: '/Users/Qi/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox'
real_path='/Users/Qi/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox'
not found
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20
sys_executable: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
mode=0o100755 uid=501 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20
trace.__file__: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'
real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'
not found
parent not found
tempdir: '/var/folders/nk/q8cvtd2j3415n84d48ppckk00000gn/T'
real_path='/private/var/folders/nk/q8cvtd2j3415n84d48ppckk00000gn/T'
mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "desktop/dropbox/client/main.py", line 5501, in _setup_root_for_account
File "desktop/dropbox/sync_root/helpers.py", line 547, in get_root_for_account
File "desktop/dropbox/foundation/futures/basic.py", line 858, in result
File "desktop/dropbox/sync_root/handlers/macos/file_provider.py", line 249, in set_result_or_convert_exception
dropbox.mac.internal.MacError: [Errno -2001] Error Domain=NSFileProviderErrorDomain Code=-2001 "找不到使用标识符‘com.getdropbox.dropbox.fileprovider/e8bc6914-9f37-4268-8799-003a98422f1a‘的有效文件提供者。" UserInfo={NSLocalizedDescription=找不到使用标识符‘com.getdropbox.dropbox.fileprovider/e8bc6914-9f37-4268-8799-003a98422f1a‘的有效文件提供者。}

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

You mentioned that you tried to uninstall and reinstall it, but it doesn't work; is the error above what you see after reinstalling the app?

If you simply close the app and relaunch it, what do you see?

Yuq

it happens after I update my app and also after reinstalling it.

it shows the same errors when I close and relaunch it.

I see, thanks for checking, @Yuq.

Can we reach out to you via email, to investigate further?

still doesn't work properly. the sync option is always showing as syncing. And unfortunately there is nothing that you guys are doing to solve it.

Yuq

sure, do you have my email?