Create, Upload, and Share FAQs

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Here are some of our most frequently asked questions. If you have a question that isn't covered by the FAQ's please create a new topic here.

My shared link says "Public links have been temporarily suspended for generating excessive traffic"

If you're seeing this message when using a Dropbox shared link, it usually means the link has exceeded its download or bandwidth limit.

Quick Resolution	Wait 24 hours; the suspension usually lifts automatically. Reduce link sharing spread to avoid mass automatic downloads. For frequent high-volume usage, consider upgrading to Plus or Business.
Common Causes	Exceeded download or bandwidth thresholds (e.g., Basic: 20 GB/day).
Possible Fixes	Pause sharing & wait 24 hours for auto restoration. Use a paid plan with higher limits or switch to requested link mode. Create time-limited shared links to control usage.
Learn More	Explanation of bandwidth limits and suspended sharing for excessive traffic.

My Dropbox mobile app isn't showing files I added on my computer

If files you've added to Dropbox on your computer aren't appearing in the mobile app, these steps can help get everything syncing again.

Quick Resolution	Refresh (pull screen down) in mobile app to trigger sync. Sign out & back in on mobile. Check network settings & ensure auto-sync is enabled. Clear app cache or reinstall if persistent.
Common Causes	App background sync is paused or there is an network issue. Cached state is not updating.
Possible Fixes	Force a refresh or re-login on your mobile. Enable mobile sync permissions. Reinstall the app to reset data.
Learn More	How to sync Dropbox to your computer or phone

My online-only Dropbox files are still taking up hard drive space

If your Dropbox files are set to online-only but they're still using storage on your computer, these steps can help free up disk space.

Quick Resolution	Verify file status in File Explorer icon overlay. Right-click → Selective Sync → set to Online-only. Disk still showing usage? Clear Dropbox cache via Preferences → Account → Clear Cache.
Common Causes	Cache or temporary files retained even though file placeholder is on-demand. The system index or preview services holding the file open.
Possible Fixes	Clear Dropbox cache to reclaim space. Reboot Windows to release file handles. Use Selective Sync to make your files online-only.
Learn More	Storage limit and over-quota troubleshooting.

My Dropbox files are uploading slowly or not uploading at all

If your files are taking a long time to upload or won't upload through the Dropbox desktop app, these steps can help get syncing back up to speed.

Quick Resolution	Ensure your internet connection is stable. Pause & resume syncing. Check you're under your storage quota. Temporarily disable bandwidth limits in Preferences → Bandwidth.
Common Causes	You’ve reached your storage limit (uploads stop when over quota). Bandwidth limits or network congestion.
Possible Fixes	Raise or remove upload/download speed limits. Free up space or upgrade plan if you're storage is full. Restart app/computer to reset stalled uploads.
Learn More	Over-quota causing sync to stop.Checking and troubleshooting storage space issues.

My Dropbox account is stuck syncing or indexing files

If your Dropbox account is stuck on "Indexing files", won't finish syncing or stopped syncing after an update, these steps can help get the desktop app working again.

Quick Resolution	Pause & restart syncing via the Dropbox menu. Clear cache via Preferences → Account → Clear Cache. Restart the app or computer. If needed, reinstall Dropbox but preserve your Dropbox folder.
Common Causes	Corrupted cache or temporary indexing data. Conflicts with other file‑watching software or anti‑virus. Interrupted Windows updates affecting Dropbox service.
Possible Fixes	Clear cache & restart Dropbox to rebuild index. Whitelist Dropbox in antivirus or file‑monitoring tools. Reinstall Dropbox & select the existing folder during setup.
Learn More	Over-quota causing sync to stop.

My shared folders are taking up space in my Dropbox account

If shared folders are using your Dropbox storage, it's because shared folder content usually counts toward each member's storage quota.

Quick Resolution	Shared folders currently count against each member’s quota unless on a shared team or Family plan. To eliminate storage burden, ask the owner to share via link (view-only). Or exit the shared folder in your account.
Common Causes	Dropbox counts shared content toward every person’s storage apart from team plans & the Family room folder in Family plans.
Possible Fixes	Leave the shared folder to free up space. Ask for link-based access instead of folder invite. Upgrade to a plan (Team/Family) where shared folder only takes up space once.
Learn More	Will joining a shared folder count against my storage spaceWhy can't I join/share folders?

I need to share a Dropbox folder with someone outside my team

If you want to share a Dropbox folder with someone who isn't part of your Dropbox team, you can invite them directly without adding them to your team account.

Quick Resolution	On dropbox.com, right-click the folder → Share. Enter the external person’s email & set them as “Can view” or “Can edit”. Send the invite; they’ll access via shared folder and not added to the team.
Common Causes	Confusion between “Team folders” (open only to team members) & standard shared folders. Some may try sending invites expecting them to auto-join the team structure.
Possible Fixes	Use standard shared folders with external emails rather than team invites. Set correct permissions (view rather than edit) to prevent full team access.
Learn More	Shared Link Permissions

My files might contain phishing content” warning on DropboxI see a message: "We've interrupted your sharing activity because your files might contain phishing/spam content."

Quick Resolution	Stop sharing immediately and review the flagged file. Contact Dropbox Support to appeal the classification. Learn and follow Dropbox’s Acceptable Use Policy to avoid future suspensions.
Common Causes	File flagged as potentially malicious (phishing or spam). Bandwidth limits reached (e.g., too many downloads or too large file).
Possible Fixes	Appeal via Support in the Help Center. Share as a view-only link or compress files to reduce bandwidth use.
Learn More	“Why has my sharing activity been interrupted?” (explains phishing, malware, bandwidth blocks).