I have a "ghost" folder which keeps re-appearing no matter how many times it is deleted. Any clues?
Hey, is the folder you are trying to delete empty or does it contain any files? Usually this happens because a piece of software on a computer that the folder is shared on is trying to access it, and is recreating it when someone else deletes it.If there is a file in there, looking at the 'previous versions' will tell you which machine the culprit is. If you don't have a file in there, add a test one, delete the folder again and when it reappears, you'll be able to solve the mystery! Deleting the folder on the rogue machine will fix it permanently.
Thanks for the prompt reply @GuyM1!
I have located your open request on our system and it will be handled by a higher level of Support asap. In case you have any further inquiries, let me know here and I'll check back with you.
Have a wonderful weekend ahead!:rainbow:
Many thanks to the Dropbox team - especially Walter for helping me resolve this issue. In my case one fo the 9 sharers of a top level folder was adding back a multi layered sub folder, containing no files, each time the administrator attempted to delete it. All sharers told me that they had attempted to delete the reappearing folder........drilling down by the DB team revealed the culprit who hadnt actually made an attempt to delete but merely said he had! Deletion done and all fixed.....woohoo, champagne celebration! but....
How do you fault find without using the DB team in this case? Two options: make use of Event History and Version History. Using event history showed where I had attempted to delete the folder but did not show who added it back. Version history would not have worked as it only applies to actual files and not folders (this folder structure contained no files). I would suggest adding in a file, delete the folder structure, if it all reappears then check the version history of the individual file - it should show you deleting it and then should reveal who is adding it back. Note the use of "should"! What seems clear is that there are numerous ways that this "reappearing ghost" problem can be solved. Perhaps DB could set up a really detailed help page, that can be easily found, that covers all the myriad permutations of this challenging problem.
Once again - big thank you to the DB team for their prompt and detailed assistance. GuyM
Thank you for your kind reply Guy - I am glad we could figure this out together.
In any case, I wanted you to know that I have gathered all of your feedback in regards to this issue and I will be passing them along to our dev team for consideration - thank you for that!
Once again I am happy we sorted this out and note that you can always reach out to us on any of our official support channels with any questions you might have. We'll be glad to assist in any possible way.
Have a lovely day!
hi.
i am having the same issues.
tried so many way to delete the file, but it reappears again.
i dont have no idea what to do.
can you please help.
Hey there @Elya - sorry to hear this!
Your best bet here would be to check the file's history (if it is a folder, check within the folder itself). If you check the previous versions of the file and see that it was accessed from another computer, you can delete it off of that computer to stop it from reappearing in your Dropbox account.
Having said that, I'd really like to help so I've reached out to you via email as well through your existing ticket - check your inbox for my last email and get back to me when you get the chance
Thanks!
I have the same issue but didn't want to start a new thread: I show deleted files, click on the ellipsis and then hit "delete permanently". A popup informs me that the folder will be permanently deleted. A progress bar then appears that says "deleting". The progress bar goes away and the file is still in my list. This is a big problem since we have two similar folders, one of which is outdated and needs to be deleted to avoid confusion. Any assistance would be much appreciated.
Sorry to hear that @atdpath - have you tried doing this via another browser other than the one you currently use? If you do and this persists, try deleting this folder from your computer first.
Let me know how this goes. Thanks!
I have tried deleting it in 3 different browsers. What do you mean, "Deleting from my computer first"? I don't think it is on my computer!
Thanks for the response @atdpath!
If you have the desktop app running on your computer, then you must have it there too. Can you look inside your Dropbox Folder and delete it from there if you do?
If not, send a screenshot of the problem to get a better understanding or even log a ticket with our team so we can help with all of our tools available.
@Afsaan : Would you mind elaborating on this? Are you having trouble deleting files from your account as well?
This is so confusing. I have no idea what Dropbox is doing. I am on the dropbox web site but it won't let me delete photos. I want to be able to add photos from any device to my account, and also use those same photos from my dropbox account with any other device i am on. I will only delete photos by going to the website.
Maybe I just don't understand what drop box is all about. I cannot afford to be frustrated and thus unproductive all the time. It took me 15 minutes just to find a place to ask a question and I have no idea if I am in the right place now doing it.
I will probably press enter now, and everythinhg i have written will be deleted.
If you're trying to delete photos from your Photos tab that's normal @FLUncleBill - you'll need to find those in their original locations and delete them from there.
To do this via the website, browse to the file you'd like to delete, click on the box to the left of the file's name and select the "Show in folder" option from the right pane menu.
From there, you should be able to delete the file(s) you'd like normally.
Let me know if I got anything wrong and we'll take it from there if needed.
Happy New Year too!
Hello,
I am having a similar issue; 3 files keep reappearing even when I permanently delete tem. When looking in the Previous Versions tab, I see that the deleted file is reappearing from the "API app". What does that mean?Right now, my dropbox is synced on my laptop and cellphone. I've tried deleting them from both locations, yet they reappear. The files were added there in 2017, except one was added in 2018.One thing they all have in common is that they have the symbol "%" in their title. Just to test if that could be linked to the problem, I removed that symbol from their name, waited until everything synced, then deleted them. They reappeared with their original name (i.e. with the xymbol "%"). Help please!
@Noelle N. wrote: ... I see that the deleted file is reappearing from the "API app". What does that mean?
... I see that the deleted file is reappearing from the "API app". What does that mean?
It means a third-party app (using Dropbox's API) that you've linked to your account is placing the file in your Dropbox. You can see all the apps linked to your account on the following page:
Thank you Rich, that helped me solve my problem!
What exactly seems to be troubling you @Ggggg1 ?
Are you having the same issue as the OP or a similar one?
Have you tried contacting our Support team for direct and account specific assistance?
You can do so from the following page if needed:
https://www.dropbox.com/support
If there's anything I can help with from my end, do let me know please.
Oh, and happy Monday!
I'm sorry, but we just SHOULD NOT have to go thru all this to DELETE pix.
Hey @HK J., I understand that being unable to understand the source of this discrepancy at a glance may not be ideal, however kindly note that Dropbox would merely reflect your changes to your account online. Nonetheless, rest assured that I'm here to help you determine what's happening as much as I can on my end!
To re-iterate Guy's post on the previous page, kindly note that there could be a device running an application which is using the content that’s re-appearing on your Dropbox account. Alternatively, if you’re seeing a shared file or folder reappear after deletion, it may be that a person you shared it with is accessing it.
To check back on whether any of my pointers applies, you can look at the Version History of some example file names (tip: it’s on the on the 💬 of the file in question) in the folder that will point you towards the device or application that last accessed the files in the share/ plain folder.
If you check the previous versions of the file and see that it was accessed from an application on another computer, you can delete it off of that computer to stop it from reappearing in your Dropbox.
Please do let me know how you get on with my hints on this discussion & I’ll do my best to check back with you. Thanks again & I'll be awaiting your next post!
When we delete or rename a folder it comes back. It doesn't matter what computer or if we are on the website, If the folder is renamed, or moved within hours or the next day both the old folder and the new folder reappear. Or if we simply delete a folder it also comes back. There are hunderes of folders that have been moved, renamed or deleted and keep reappearing. So frustrating and time consuming, how can we stop this from happening?
Hi @LisaMVIP,
Let me guess: You try rename/move folders in online only mode...? This is known problem and you already have done the possible: One more voice!
I'm experiencing this problem as well.
Hey @LisaMVIP & @billiesoniq, I have now made sure to move your posts under this ongoing conversation, as the hints we’ve posted here with Walter have resolved the OP’s inquiry. Would you mind checking those out whenever you have a bit of spare time & let us know here if you have any follow-up questions?
Thanks & I’m looking forward to hearing back from you!
Hi Jane, I am reading through the responses where you have moved this post and I'm not seeing an answer to our problem? Please direct me to where they might be or if you can provide some assistance it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for the speedy message back @LisaMVIP; I moved your post here in hopes that my previous reply above helps you shed some light, however I’d happily re-iterate for convenience’ sake!
Essentially Lisa this probably happens because there’s an application/service that’s accessing the previous version of the file elsewhere thus “locking” the file name that you’re trying to change & the Version History should help you gain some insight on the possible cause.
Would you mind checking out how my advice works for you whenever you have a bit of spare time & let me know of your findings in your next reply? Thanks!
Jane,
Thank you for your quick response. The link included that you would like me to review says Error (4xx) and directs me back to a general help page. Very frustrated we have been hung up on...or "accidently disconected" more than 8 times in the past month and the escalation team has stopped responding twice. Like I mentioned we have hundreds of files that have been deleted and keep being added that need to be cleaned up and thousands more files that need to be added. We are stuck here waiting for anyone to help so we can get this cleaned up before our busy time begins in 2 weeks.
Thank you
Lisa
I appreciate all the extra details on this matter @LisaMVIP!
For starters, I've made sure to amend the wrong link on the post above now, so it should be working as expected.
Sorry to hear about the technical issues that may have arised as you were discussing that with live Support Lisa, I could see that you’ve now been actively working to resolve the issue you’ve described me with our higher-level technicians through our Official Support channel, where you’ve made some progress. Kindly note that your best bet at the moment would be gathering all relevant details under this same email chain, as our team specialists have already gained some insight on the issue you’re facing.
While I’ve now made sure to include a copy of your comments & I’ve increased your support priority internally, I remain at your entire disposal should you need more help from me in any way. Thanks for bearing with us as we're working to address this issue!
Good morning Jane, we are still looking for some help to resolve this issue. Nothing suggested has worked or helped fix the problem yet. Looking forward to hearing from the support team you mentioned.
Thanks,
Deleted files keep coming back seconds after I delete them.
The files are in a folder I am sharing from another user.
The other user has to delete the files.
I have edit/delete permission so it should (and normally) works.
Any one have any ideas?
Hey @sncooper_work, thanks for taking the time to drop us a line here!
I’ve moved your post on this thread, in order to ping you on the pointers we’ve posted with Walter. Specifically, my previous message to HK J. here might help you paint a clearer picture & guide you on the best follow-up steps.
Please let me know how you get on with this or if you have more questions for me!
