Syncing issues on a new Apple MacBook Air - "syncing is paused while a file in this folder is open"

Thanks for the response. I understand what you are saying - the dropbox folder sits on an external SSD drive so when I moved to new Mac I just plugged it into the new Mac so almost all files (barring probably about 50 files) are already on the drive - but clearly dropbox still needs to synchronise.

I will try and see if I reduce the folders to just a few to see what happens ... however, what about the "sync issues" I pointed out? would they be stopping the sync process? the message given implies that it has?

Cheers

Christopher

Hi @ProfCJJ, could you test to see if syncing has stopped entirely by creating a test file and adding it into your Dropbox folder, as well as uploading a differently named file to the site directly, and let me know if both files synced?

OK I have done the following:

1. Paused syncing

2. Enabled only one subfolder to sync (it has 4GB of data but only about 400+ files).

3. Restarted syncing and then Quit and restarted the Dropbox app for good measure.

Following this dropbox still says "syncing 1,150,000+ files".

I then:

4. Created a file in the dropbox folder locally

5. Created another (different) file in the dropbox folder online (same folder as above).

6. I quit and restarted Dropbox app for good measure.

Dropbox restarted with 1,150,000+ files "syncing" and the two files created in 4 & 5 above has not synced.

Incidentally, there are now "No sync issues" indicated on the menu.

EDIT: the 15 or so Sync issues are back as before - same files/folders too

The "Activity" and "Sync History" tabs show files from 13/ 9 days ago.

So - no improvement.

Cheers

Christopher

Hannah

Hey @ProfCJJ, sorry to jump in here as well.

Can you let us know a bit more about how you set up Dropbox to sync the Dropbox folder in your external drive?

Also, which version of the Dropbox app are you using?

I am using Dropbox App V189.4.8395

I installed Dropbox on the new Mac then pointed the App to the Dropbox folder on the external SSD drive (I have done this before with my previous Mac).

I have checked the "Sync Issues" and it turns out that it s complaining about folders/ files that have been shared with others. I went through each in Dropbox ONLINE and revoked sharing ...the Sync Issues still persist however. I had to do this online as some of the folders do not yet exist yet on the Mac.

HTH

Hannah

Can you please send us a screenshot of this error, so we can have a visual as well?

Spoiler

Do you have any other programs or services that are currently running which could be trying to access these folders?

Could you try quitting all open apps from the menu bar and dock, including Dropbox, and then just start up the Dropbox app to see if the files sync.

Hi

I did all of this but to no effect. The sync errors remain (even though I removed sharing of these folders using Dropbox access online via web browser).

I have notice that the “files syncing” number is going down - it’s down to 850,000+ now - but the two test files I setup still have not synced. (Plus remember I set it up to selectively sync just one sub folder as a test).

Since there are a lot of files waiting to sync, I'd recommend giving it time to complete syncing in order to determine if the issue persists after all files are up to date according to the desktop app.

I am certainly giving it time - but bear in mind the computer has been on and syncing - day and night - for almost 10 days now!!

Megan

Hi @ProfCJJ, keep in mind that during an upload, the transfer speeds are also dependent upon how quickly your computer can process and compress the components of the files to make them available for upload.

The Dropbox client will also batch upload smaller files into batches of 800 files. If you have 800 * 1 kB files the effective batch that's sent to Dropbox will be 800 kB in size.

You may commonly see this behavior when Dropbox first starts syncing as the client starts with smallest files first and then progresses to larger files.

Have you also checked to make sure that your bandwidth is set to "do not limit"?

Having the same issues. I just realized my files haven't been syncing since mid November. Locally on my Mac I can locate my files but in Dropbox online they are not there. No syncing issues when I check the syncing history but nothing is syncing....

Hannah

Hey @marietararealtor, sorry to hear about this.

What exactly is the sync status and version of the Dropbox app, when you hover over the Dropbox icon in your menu bar?

Thanks for the update. Yes the box its ticked (do not limit).

I am happy to say that this AM Dropbox seems to have caught itself up and all the errors are gone etc. It's taken just over 2 weeks with my M2 Mac on 24/7 but the important thing it worked!

Thanks for the support.

Christopher

Hi Hahhah,

Shows syncing 2,282 files. Version 189.4.8427

Hi @marietararealtor, are you able to locate the files that aren't syncing from within the Dropbox folder in Finder, via the sync icons?

Are they all in the same folder(s), or in random locations?

Hi Jay,

I can locate the files through Drobox in finder but there is a cloud icon with an arrow pointing down to the left of the date modified. When I go into my Dropbox online, these files are not there. I got this new Macbook in November and since then, these files are showing in Finder. I am working in them throughout the day but not available online in Dropbox. I only discovered this when I needed to restore a previous version of a file and the file was not updated since November. None of these files have updated since I installed Dropbox on my new Macbook Pro.

Megan

Hey @marietararealtor, you mentioned that your syncing status was showing 2,282 files syncing.

Is the number going down, or is it stuck like that?