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"This Folder is empty" when i want to save something on my Desktop

Hello everyone,

I paid for a 2TO dropbox subscription a few days ago just for the Backup option, which is updated regularly and gives me a copy of my important files.

I'm on a Mac, and I started backing up a folder on my desktop (almost 300GB), and it was blocked at 0% for a few hours, then finally unblocked.

The other day, I wanted to add a second folder (this one not being on my desktop but in my documents), then once validated, I got an error message telling me "The location is not the default one" whereas my desktop has absolutely NOT changed location.

As soon as I want to select my folder in my desktop, I can't because it says that my desktop is "empty" even though I've got 400GB of space on it. I've tried uninstalling dropbox with AppCleaner, I've rebooted my pc and I've also waited a few days to see if the problem would resolve itself, and nothing helps. I don't understand how this is possible.

What's more, when I want to go to the dropbox site to consult my saved files, this is what it says:

"A problem has occurred. Don't worry, your files are still safe, and the Dropbox team has been notified. Check our status page to see if an incident has occurred, our support center and forums for help, or return to the Home page."

Thanks to anyone who can help me

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Nancy

Welcome to the forum, @Nolan D!

When saying that you’re receiving an error when trying to back up a second folder, you mean that you tried to back up your entire Documents folder, correct? Currently, the computer backup feature can be used for specific computer folders (Desktop/Downloads/Documents), and not just for their subfolders.

If you’re trying to back up your Documents folder indeed, can you send me a screenshot of the error you’re receiving?

Also, feel free to send me one more screenshot of what you see on your web Dropbox account.

Give me a nudge, when you’re ready.

Nolan D

Hello,

You told me that currently, the computer backup feature can be used for specific computer folders (Desktop/Downloads/Documents), and not just for their subfolders.

But the first time i used Dropbox Backup, i used it on a subfolder of my desktop (and not for my entire desktop folder), and it worked perfectly for few days.

It changed when i wanted to add another subfolder (but a subfolder of my document folder this time), and from this moment, the dropbox software is telling me that my desktop is empty.

To answer your first question, no i tried to backup a subfolder in my documents folder

And i don't understand, if the the computer backup feature can be used for specific computer folders (Desktop/Downloads/Documents), and not just for their subfolders. (as you said), why i can go on my document / download / documents folder to select subfolders ? If the computer backup feature was only available for folders like Desktop/Downloads/Documents, I shouldn't be able to view and select subfolders right?

Megan

Hi @Nolan D, thanks for sharing additional info with us!

As Nancy mentioned, the way our Backup feature works is that you'd need to choose your entire Desktop for instance, and then you can also choose specific subfolders and paths from there.

Would you mind sharing some screenshots from the errors you mentioned, in order for us to have a visual too?

Nolan D

Hey Megan,

Yeah that's what i did, the files that i selected were subfolders of my desktop.

I want to send you pictures but they are too big, can i send you via Wetransfer or something like that?

Megan

Hi @Nolan D, I'm afraid not.

You'd need to attach them here, using the camera-like icon. Can you try to resize them online, and try again?

Nolan D

Yeah i know how to add them here, but every picture is too big for your website ... i'll try to compress them online

Nolan D

IMG_1606 (1).jpg IMG_1607 (1).jpg IMG_1608 (1).jpg IMG_1609 (1).jpg IMG_1610 (1).jpg

Megan

Hi @Nolan D, interesting, and odd.

Can you try creating maybe another folder, or adding a file in it, and see if the behavior remains the same?

Also, if you hover your mouse over your little Dropbox icon, the one next to your WiFi, can you let me know the version of the app that you're using?

Nolan D

I tried to add 2 files on my desktop, one before open dropbox, and one when it was open and the app is still telling me that my desktop is empty.

Here is the version i'm using

Nancy

Hi again, Nolan, and apologies for any misunderstandings on my part.

Do you mind sharing the current filepath of your Desktop folder with us, whose subfolder you tried to back up to Dropbox? I’d like to make sure it’s currently saved in its default location on your computer.

Nolan D

Hey Nancy !

No problem about t he missunderstandings !

I'm not sure where can i find the current filepath of my desktop, is it this ? :

Hannah

Hey @Nolan D, thanks for the screenshots.

Can you take a look at this article and follow the troubleshooting steps there, to see if they help?