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Waiting to sync (Mac)

Since yesterday, Dropbox won't sync files on my iMac.
The app constantly says 'syncing 175 files', but nothing happens
Manual upload does work. So apparently there is nothing wrong with the internet connection.
I have a 6.25 GB account with only 2.8 GB in use.
I have already uninstalled the Dropbox app and downloaded and installed the latest version.
Restarting the Mac doesn't solve anything either
I looked on my Mac for the cache to empty it, but I can't find it.

I recently significantly reorganized my Dropbox folders, could that be a cause?
Strange though is that after that at least one file was automatically synced.
When I click "View sync issues," there are no sync issues.

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Accepted answers

Mark

Is it possible to see which files are syncing based upon the icons of the folders in Finder?

If so try moving the folder/directory out of Dropbox to say desktop, let it sync to clear icon/up to date and then return it the folder. That usually works.

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Mark

Is it possible to see which files are syncing based upon the icons of the folders in Finder?

If so try moving the folder/directory out of Dropbox to say desktop, let it sync to clear icon/up to date and then return it the folder. That usually works.

I am having exaclty the same issue. Just keeps saying "syncing 1518 files" but nothing happens and dropbox icon in mac menu bar has an X in the lower right hand corner".

Hannah

Sorry to hear about this, @3d.

Which version of the Dropbox app do you currently have installed? You can see what by hovering over your Dropbox icon.

Have you also checked out this article for some possible troubleshooting steps?

jcglf

Same boat here. Mac OS 14.5. DropBox v203.3.4712. Stuck or hung up "waiting to sync" 2641 files. I have turned off and on. Logged out and in. Deleted DropBox and reinstalled. And still hung "Syncing 2,641 files." Please advise. Screenshot 2024-06-27 at 1.25.59 PM.png

Hannah

Sorry to hear that, @jcglf.

Can you try these steps here and let us know if they help?

JCGLF

They did not. I restarted post-reset hard links and DropBox is still hung.

Hannah

Thanks, @JCGLF .

I see that you're on the beta version of the Dropbox app as well, so I'd also suggest switching to the stable version and see if that makes any difference.

To do so, turn off the "early releases" option here and then reinstall the Dropbox app.

jcglf

Nope. And I had Early Access toggled off already. I turned it on and off and then reinstalled. The issue still persists.

Screenshot 2024-06-27 at 5.42.35 PM.png

Hannah

Hmm, you previously had the beta version installed (v203.3.4712).

Which version do you see now after reinstalling?

mapledudu

I having exactly the same issue but in Mac. Just keeps saying "syncing 15 files" but nothing happens and Dropbox icon in Mac menu bar has an syncing circle

Walter

Hey @mapledudu - sorry to hear about this.

Does the issue persist after rebooting your computer or quitting and relaunching the Dropbox desktop app?

mapledudu

Yes, It has been several days. It happened after I moved a 200M installation file from one computer, and then moved out from this computer. I suspected it was not completed syncing before I moved it out. I put it back and then resync but never works. I tried the methods to fix preference/account but failed. The dropbox does have access to the whole mac. Thanks

Screenshot 2024-09-16 at 9.41.08 AM.png

Screenshot 2024-09-16 at 9.35.25 AM.png

Screenshot 2024-09-16 at 9.34.48 AM.png

Nancy

@mapledudu, did you also try removing the file from the Dropbox app again, and then reinstalling it? Does it still get stuck at the same file count after that?

mapledudu

I didn't know for sure if this was caused by the file. But all other syncing seems to work properly, except for the symbol that kept spinning and never completed 15 files (they are pretty small 5 kb et al).

mapledudu

I tried to reboot, and reinstall the Dropbox but didn't work. The issue persists after rebooting your computer or quitting and relaunching the Dropbox desktop app.

Megan

Hey @mapledudu, would you mind clarifying the Dropbox app version you're using on your end?

Have you also tried signing out and then back into the app?

mapledudu

V.207.4.5821

It doesn't work as well. Thanks

Jay

Hi @mapledudu, just to check, do any of the files and folders in the Dropbox folder have any icons showing that they are trying to sync? Are they all in the same folder, or in random locations?

mapledudu

no, all files seem fine and completely synced. just annoying symbols

Jay

Sorry, could you clarify what you mean by annoying symbols? A screenshot of this would help if these are appearing in Finder.

mapledudu

the two screenshots in my first reply. Thanks

Jay

Are you on a personal or company-managed device? Could you try reinstalling the Dropbox desktop application with admin privileges?

mapledudu

personal mac. did reinstall but still have the issue.

Walter

Hey @mapledudu - could you try the latest, stable version of the desktop app from this page and let us know how it goes?

mapledudu

The same errors after reinstallation. I don't know which 15 files are pending syncing but they are small (2kb et al).

Jay

Do you see a Dropbox cache folder in your Dropbox folder? Could you delete that folder?

mapledudu

I could not find the folder in the dropbox folder. I did locate that in early versions.

https://help.dropbox.com/delete-restore/cache-folder

Walter

Thanks for clarifying that for us @mapledudu

Could you also let us know your device's exact OS version and the location of your Dropbox folder as per the sync tab in the app's preferences?

mapledudu

The device was just updated to Mac os 15.0 but the issues remain the same. The location is the standard location in mac (under main username) which we can not change it

Jay

When you say that 15 files are pending syncing, you're not sure if these files are on your Dropbox account online, or files in your local Dropbox folder that are trying to sync upwards?

Are there definitely no syncing icons showing any files that haven't yet synced?