Smart Sync causes my quick preview function (spacebar) to not function properly on my Mac. I can't preview thumbnails, or quick preview any videos or photos. Any ideas why this happens?
Likely because you're trying to preview a file that doesn't exist on your computer.
When you set a file to Online Only, the only thing that's left of that file on your computer is the necessary information to make it appear in the folder. Since there's no content in the file, your OS (nor any other program) is able to preview it.
Remember, when you set a file to Online Only, the file is removed from the computer leaving behind only a marker file. In order to access that file, whether it be to open and edit it or simply preview it, the file needs to be on the computer (Smart Sync doesn't allow you to open files directly from the Dropbox servers). When you open a file, it's synced back to your local drive and then opened as normal. When you're done with the file, if you want it to be online-only again, you need to mark it as such.
Hi Norah,
Attached below is a screenshot, although it should be noted that this isn't an isolated problem with dropbox files that are set to "local," and affects all local (not dropbox) image files on my system. It appears that this has something to do with selectively syncing files from "online only" to "local." On system restart or force quitting finder, things go back to normal and Quick Look is usable again, but only until I selectively sync again and it's wash-rinse-repeat.
After speaking with the other art directors on our business account, it sounds like this is a widespread problem.
Needless to say, my coworkers and I are usually pouring through countless images and files on a daily basis (many, if not most using Quicklook to bypass having to fully open a file), and having this affect our workflow is a bit restricting.
Any help is greatly appreciated!
This site has several suggestions, from the already mentioned, Get Info, removing com.apple.finder.plist and including one involving DropBoxQL.qlgenerator in Library.
I still haven't found one that works, since I don't see this DropBoxQL.qlgenerator in QuickLook>Library but I thought I would share any info I can find. This is now affecting the animation and UI/UX teams at my work.
https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/182536/why-cant-i-see-thumbnails-in-the-finder
Hey jessee,
Thanks for posting that link up on here— I stumbled across that same one earlier in the day, and I'm sure there are others that will need it at some point. I think the DropBoxQL.qlgenerator is a depricated QL file from a previous version of DB—the last mention of it I could find was from 2016 with the same issue as we're talking about now?
It's just a shame that we have to homebrew our own temporary solutions to a problem that seems to have been persisting since 2016 or so.
Hoping for a more concrete fix that addresses the actual problem, as it looks like this is the biggest annoyance for creative teams.
If this issue ends up going to email for troubleshooting, I'll post the results here for others in hopes that it helps others.
I, too, have similar issues with Smart Sync disrupting my Quicklook and cannot get it to work. Is there a solution?
I too am having the same problem. I now can't preview any of my files stored on my local drive (attached is a screenshot of items on my desktop, stored locally). Is there a fix for this? This is a huge deal breaker!!
I work on a Mac. When I first turn on my computer, I can view images with QuickLook and in the thumbnail, but after a short period of time QuickLook begins to fail and display an icon representing the type of file rather than the image. The image I attached in this email are local files that are on my desk top. One shows how QuickLook and the thumbnails are working properly, the other is after QuickLook malfunctions. Any other files that I preview in a different window will no longer display the thumbnail. Just an icon of the file type. Further, when I press the [Spacebar] to activate QuickLook, only the icon of the file type is displayed.
The images below are screenshots of a local PNG file on my desktop. The first was taken when I first start my computer. The second is the same PNG taken literally one minute after I previewed a Dropbox folder.
Hey Norah,
I've taken some extra time to try to isolate this issue and entertain the idea that it might be something else, but everything keeps pointing towards Dropbox.
After closing out of dropbox completely (and checking to make sure there are no DB background processes running in the background), it takes about a minute or two to catch up (possibly due to the cache catching up w/ processes?), but Quicklook goes back to functioning as usual.
Any ideas? It seems like this is a somewhat pervasive problem due to the other [very] similar responses in this thread. Any and all help is appreciated.
I have the same problem.
What is the solution?
Wondering if a resolve was ever discovered for this? I just had a chat with an online support person that went no where.
Were you ever able to pinpoint what could be causing this?
It's been a week since my last response, and it seems as if more and more people continue to have this issue.
While I'm not trying to be argumentative or points fingers, all documentation that I've been able to find on this issue seems seems to blame how Dropbox is handling QL in OSX. And so, for everyone else who continues to have this issue, I will continue to post here to keep search engines bringing this post near the top of results until we get some sort of explanation or a fix. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
How can you classify this problem as solved, when it clearly is not?
I have this problem too. Did they have a fix yet?
Norah - why has this forum been marked as solved? It clearly is not, and many of us have already been contacted by a DB rep which is also a dead end. Can we have this re-opened so that it is given some attention?
I'm having the same problem. The preview icons sometimes show up on files that are stored online-only, but most of the time not. I've found that deleting my finder preference file and relaunching finder works for about 10 previews, and then it's like it gives up and goes back to just loading the icon instead of a thumbnail of the image. And once it gives up, I can't see any images, including those that are only locally stored.
I also had this problem, and fixed it temporarily with some terminal commands that were suggested on another forum. Now it is back again, and I am trying to find that information again so I can reset it again. It WAS a dropbox related problem.
I've been having the same problem occuring often since I activated Smart Sync. The temporary fix is to reset QuickLook in Terminal with this command:
qlmanage -r
I just hope this will be fixed soon, otherwise I'll switch back to the Plus plan because Smart Sync was the main reason why I upgraded to Pro.
im confused. My files are not appearing on my alternative computer at home. I save it to the dropbox file on my computer in the office but when i get home it is not here on this computer at home. For me, that was the point of dropbox so that i could share my files to both my locations. what am i doing wrong ? thanks Linda
@lconoval This might be related to your selective sync settings if you're a business user or by just not having those files chosen to store locally on your machine (which may not have those specific files specifically loaded on your other computer). If those files show up in your browser view, not the desktop app, the odds are very good you have some folders deselected on your other machine. Might be worthwhile to start a new ticket with your machine's details rather than posting here to get the help you need— we're all having issues with Quicklook in OSX here.
@Mark If anyone is able to mark a problem as a solution, that seems kind of counter productive to the whole purpose of catalogging something as "solved" on a forum, where other's are actively looking for answers. I've just put in a ticket and referenced this forum post, but I'm starting to get a little disheartened with Norah going MIA. This whole forum process just seems incredibly counterintuitive to what a support forum should do— help people find, diagnose and hopefully fix their problems.
Again, everyone, I've got (another) support request in, and if I hear anything worthwhile, I'll post back here.
Hi Jane, Thank you for your prompt reply, most appreciated. I am more concern with other local disk file preview than the Sync Dropbox file. I know you cannot preview files that is not sync down to the local drive.
I will hold the upgrade till this is resolved. Thank you and appreciate if you would let me know once it's resolved so I can upgrade to Pro. Cheers
::In Response to the So Called Solution::
Did you not read any of the comments written here?
We are repeatedly describing how you can have a file selected in finder and SEE a preview, then scrolling down through the list, using the down arrows or mouse, and then scrolling back up and the file is no longer previewing. And then no files previewing. Your explanation just ignores everything we are trying to get an answer for. It's very frustrating to get an email notification that this problem has been solved only to find a negligent answer that in truth feels condescending.
Did you happen to find a work around for this?
@Ckrupinsky No workaround that was shared with me in my last round of support emails, but spoke with Tony at support and this was the response I received (I've condensed this for the sake of brevity):
"The team was already aware that the problem was with Smart Sync, and they understood what you meant. I can assure you they are looking into the issue, but there's not much more you and I can do at the moment."
So I guess my question is, why hasn't this been addressed as a "Known Bug" on the Support home (this thread's been open for months...)? Hopefully we hear something soon.
While I would love to keep updating this thread, I have a funny feeling it's being ignored due to it being labeled as "solved?" Probably best for everyone here to start a new thread specifically detailing their problem in hopes that enough commotion will kick start a fix. Even better— create that new forum thread and post a link to that new thread here to further connect the problem.
Additionally, @TangoDB has started a new thread here: https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Installation-and-desktop-app/Is-Smart-Sync-and-Quick-Preview-issue-on-Mac-Solved/m-p/283031#M54726
Might be best to take any inquiries around the status of this bug here.
