Child Item

Keepass database file will not update properly.

I have used Keepass password database on dropbox for many years without issue. A few months ago it stopped syncing properly. If I make a change in Keepass, I see that dropbox thinks it updated all copies as the file date changes, however when opening up the file, I see my updates haven't changed. I have gone through all of the published trouble shooting procedures, including uninstalling and reinstalling dropbox, replacing the kdbx database file, and checking file permissions. Any ideas?

Find more posts tagged with

Desktop

Sync

Insightful

Closed - Partially Delivered

Comments

Megan

Hi @Frugalfart, welcome to our Community!

It sounds like you're using our desktop app, in order to save and sync your Keepass files, and they're no longer syncing.

Do you notice this behavior with these files only, or all of your Dropbox content? Can you also clarify the app's current version, and syncing status?

Let me know more, and we'll take it from there!

Frugalfart

This only happens with the Keepass database file. Everything else seems to be updating as they should. I have dropbox 182.4.6427 on Windows 11. On Android I have version 342.2.4. This issue has been going on for at least a couple of months but I thought maybe I had too many devices. Well, when I started looking into it yesterday, I found I had only 3 devices so that's when I started taking a closer look. It shows syncing is up to date.

Megan

Thanks for clarifying @Frugalfart!

Can you have a look at my colleague's response here, and let me know if that helps at all?

Frugalfart

No not really. I already knew about how that works and yes I would occasionally get conflicted copy, but I know how to handle that. Even when the file has been closed then updated in one of the devices, I'm seeing that it thinks it syncs when it really doesn't. This is a new issue. If the database file is not opened on any device, it should look like nothing more than a static file with the .kdbx extension.

Megan

Hi @Frugalfart, which device and platform do you use in order to update the database files?

Have you made sure all the devices are up-to-date? Feel free to also take a look here.

Frugalfart

Sometimes I update it from my Windows 11 Pro and sometimes from my Android ver 13

Megan

And is the behavior the same, no matter the one you use @Frugalfart?

When did this start happening?

Frugalfart

Yes, same behavior either way. I'm guessing it started about 2 months ago but I can't be sure as I accidentally figured out I had an issue when I knew some of my stuff wasn't being updated. I took my time about trying to fix it because I figured I had too many devices and that it would be an easy fix and at that time I would just resync my database. Once I figured out I didn't have too many devices I took to troubleshooting what was going on.

Jay

Hi @Frugalfart, is it only occurring with the Keepass file? Are you experiencing sync issues with other files on your account?

Frugalfart

Only with the Keepass file.

Megan

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

Frugalfart

sure. I believe you have my email.

Megan

I just sent you an email @Frugalfart!

I'll see you there!

Fraser1

What was the outcome with this? I'm having the same problem

Hannah

Sorry to hear about this, @Fraser1.

Have you tried all the troubleshooting steps provided on this thread, to see if anything helps?

Frugalfart

No, I've given up with Dropbox. You guys must have changed something and tech support has no clue how to fix it.

Fraser1

Bugger!

That's all to familiar with DB support, unfortunately. Great when it works, but support are totally hopeless when it comes to more than a reinstall of the desktop app.

dneb

I didn't realize it until today, but I'm running into exactly the same problem. Was trying to figure out why my passwords kept getting out of date. It turns out it's something about how DropBox is syncing the .dbx file. This was such a perfect solution for so many years, but as the OP said, something changed a few months back, I don't know exactly when.

Megan

Hi @dneb, let's jump right into this!

Just to make sure we're on the same page here: from what I understand you keep your Keepass files in Dropbox, however they don't update properly as they should in order for Keepass to update.

Is that right? If not, don't hesitate to let me know more!

I'd like to know some basics, such as the OS, and Dropbox version you're using on your end. Even your syncing status at the moment would help.

I'll be waiting for your updates!

Frugalfart

Unfortunately Dropbox support didn't know how to fix it. I'm looking into some alternate file sharing providers to correct this issue.

dneb

I'm syncing between Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server 2022, all updates installed. Both have the latest DropBox installed (193.4.5594). Both also have the same KeePass version installed (2.56, which I think is the latest). Sync status shows "up to date".

For some technical info, I looked at the KeePass.exe process with Microsoft's ProcExp and can see that the .dbx file is not open (i.e. KeePass doesn't hold it open).

I just saved the file and DropBox's status shows "Added now" for the .dbx file - I would have expected that it would say "Edited now" or something like that. Maybe DropBox thinks it's a new file because of how DropBox does its save file routine?

Ahhh, here is a clue. On the receiving computer it shows it Deleted passwords.dbx and then added Passwords.dbx. KeePass saved it using uppercase. There is only a single file in the directory - Passwords.dbx. Filenames in Windows are not case sensitive. But for some reason DropBox felt it needed to delete the lower-cased filename on the destination computer (which would delete the upper-cased name as well), and then add the file with the correct-cased name. I don't know where the lower-case name came from, but I'll bet it's a clue.

Maybe when deciding whether a change is an Add or Edit, the case difference is messing up the comparison?

someotheruser

Hi guys i think i solved the problem. at least it works again for me.

1. deactivate the quick unlock feature of keepass. you can permanently deactivate it in the application settings.

I think quick unlock freezes the file. only once the file is saved and closed can dropbox sync it.

2. i changed the location where keepass goes to fetch the file to dropbox (not kpbd file folder within dropbox). Then browse to the appropriate file. i had to give keepass permission to read my dropbox files...

dont know if this step is necessary, but i did it anyway.

hope this helps.