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Dropbox stops running on Windows Server 2012

Hi. We run Dropbox on several Windows Server 2012 R2 machines (and 2008 before that). We find that after a few days of normal operation Dropbox unexpectedly stops running, but starts again if we open the local Dropbox folder. Any ideas out there?

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Mark

Make sure you are running the latest versions, however, please also note that Dropbox is not actually supported on Server 2012 (infact it isnt supported on any version of Windows server).

All comments

Mark

Make sure you are running the latest versions, however, please also note that Dropbox is not actually supported on Server 2012 (infact it isnt supported on any version of Windows server).

OxfordGeoff

Thanks, Mark ...very helpful. Even with it's unpredictability it's still worth persevering with as the core functionality of Dropbox is just great!

ofra_batsheva

Hello,

From searching through the forums and reading this post I understand that windows server 2012 is not supported but the desktop app does run on it,

My problem is, that after installing and running the desktop version (and now trying v21.3.23bate) it is in the tray but the "set up dropbox" screen is stuck and does not appear like on my PC which shows the "congratulations" screen...

but If it works on server 2012 - what am I missing ?

OxfordGeoff

Hi Ofra. I'm afraid I have no experience of Windows desktop, but I can re-affirm that, although not formally supported, it runs well enough for my needs on our three Windows 2012 servers. -Geoff

ofra_batsheva

which is why I came to this thread - can you tell me If you had to make certain changes to the serverqbrowserqfirewall config to acommodate the dropbox app ? I'm thinking maybe the standalone FW (not the windows one) needs to allow the app access to the internet and maybe specific ports to "dropbox.com" ?

P.s. my name is kobi and I'm the IT of the organization, using Ofra's account because I thought it to be necessary from the support and it's the one on the server - no point in creating one especialy for this right ?

OxfordGeoff

Hi Kobi. We use 3 x Windows 2012 Servers to host files for our 270 x FileMaker clients, most of whom are Mac users as we operate in the graphics industry. I have not changed any local settings on our servers, nor opened any special ports in our firewall in order to make DropBox work. Our Windows clients tend to use the services of specialist external IP companies for support, and I'm afraid that's where my knowledge tuns out. Sorry.

mtdscomm

I have the same issue. Every few days to weeks, the dropbox synching stops working. When I open the dropbox folder, the synching starting working again. In the Windows Logs / System event view, I see quite a few 7036 events showing the dbupdate service attempting to start, and then stopped.

Does anyone have any ideas as to why this would be happening?

Thanks

Jane

Hey @mtdscomm,

Welcome to the Dropbox Community!

Because it would be better for us to have a look into the error logs you are receiving, please raise a ticket with our team sending us in any details that might help us determine the case. Then, please let me know here once you have done so, in order to look up on our system for your email.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation!

Kind regards,

JaneA

deejayeh

Is there any update to this? I have the same issue with Windows Server 2016 and it is quite frustrating!

Mark

Please remember that you are using Dropbox on an unsupported Operating System so if it isnt working 'off shelf' its unlikely it will work.

You can of course try logging a ticket as Jane said, but, as its unsupported I'm not sure what they will be able to do.

Duc

Thank for your comment, I can install dropbox in window server 2012 R2. Please help me.

You use Dropbox business?

Jane

Hey @Duc,

Thanks for checking in on the Dropbox Community regarding this query & welcome aboard!

You may keep in mind that Windows Server operating systems are not currently supported, as per our system requirements, though we’re here to help you out as much as we can!

As a first step, you could check some general recommendations on running Dropbox on a server on this resource. Additionally, if you’d like some info on how to migrate the content of a server to Dropbox and suggestions to improve the efficacy of the process, please see here.

Hopefully this sheds some light on your options at this point, though please let us know how these options work for you here. Thanks!

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