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Dropbox app on Mac not responding

I am on Mac High Sierra 10.13.3, upgraded last week. Post the upgrade, Dropbox refuses to Sync. Been using Dropbox on this Mac for the last 5 yrs but never had this problem.

Even the Dropbox icon has vanished from Taskbar. I can see my Dropbox folder on Finder, which has all the last sync files from last week.

When I try to launch the app through Finder -> Applications -> Double Click on Dropbox, still nothing happens.

Dropbox icon in Launchpad is unresponsive. Clicking on it takes me back to my last used screen on the mac.

Uninstalled and tried offline installer 44.4.58 - No result, not even sure if the installation completed or not.

Have gone through various posts on this forum and tried different fixes. Nothing worked yet.

HELP ME !

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msalem29

OK...update

In addition to Dropbox not syncing, i had also lost ability to copy/paste as well. So while trying to search a fix for that problem, it seemed to have fixed by Dropbox issue as well.

All I had to do was type "sudo update_dyld_shared_cache" through Terminal.

And restart.

Everything works fine now. Don't ask me how it happened.

Cheers.

All comments

JoeyRox

When i upgraded my OS a while back i had to re-sync my dropbox, i went to the dropbox icon in the menu bar of the OS, then clicked the cog for settings, then preferences, then account, then unlink, then i closed out of dropbox then re-installed the installer, installed the dropbox app, signed in, then went to the icon at the top menu bar, then to preferences again, and then to sync, and re-selected the folders i wanted to sync and everything came back!

msalem29

Unfortunately, even the Dropbox icon on my taskbar has vanished. Except the Dropbox folder on Finder where all my files still reside (thankfully!), there is no sign of life from Dropbox on my machine.

Jane

Hey @msalem29, thanks for posting on the Dropbox Community on this syncing issue, let me send over some steps below & we’ll take it from there, based on the results you’ll get!

As an initial point of reference, can you have a look at your Activity Monitor & see if Dropbox is actively running? Following, I’d suggest checking on the files within the Dropbox folder & see if there are any icons indicating syncing :arrows_counterclockwise:/ :white_check_mark:.

Based on your description, it seems as if something is blocking the updater in the background, hence the app isn’t automatically loading the latest version. If you can’t run the installer (your Antivirus or some security software is creating a conflict, that’s preventing the installation from being carried perhaps?), could you disable all other programs & give our offline installer a try?

https://www.dropbox.com/downloading?plat=mac&type=full (Mac)

Additionally, I’d like to ask you whether you’re using an application called “Boxifier”. If you do, please let me know in your reply, since it may be the cause of the issue.

Keep me updated on the results here & I’ll do my best to follow-up with you. Thanks & I’ll be awaiting your next message!

msalem29

Hi Jane,

Checked Activity Monitor -> Only "Dropbox Finder Integration" is running.

Checked Dropbox folder -> Does not have any syncing icons.

No, I don't use Boxifier. I've tried the offline installer multiple times but the installation is not sucessful. Does not fail. Starts but there is no response that it is completed.

Dropbox was working fine after I upgraded to High Sierra in Nov 2017. But 2 weeks back, there was another upgrade to 10.13.3, and post that, Dropbox has stopped syncing. Icon has vanished from the Task Bar.

Please help!

msalem29

OK...update

In addition to Dropbox not syncing, i had also lost ability to copy/paste as well. So while trying to search a fix for that problem, it seemed to have fixed by Dropbox issue as well.

All I had to do was type "sudo update_dyld_shared_cache" through Terminal.

And restart.

Everything works fine now. Don't ask me how it happened.

Cheers.

Jane

I appreciate your detailed reply here @msalem29 & I’d just like to send one additional set of troubleshooting steps, I hope you’re doing well today!

As I understand that you’ve already done some troubleshooting on your own, I’d recommend starting from scratch following these troubleshooting steps (depending on the operating system you’re running), so as to wipe any traces that may be obstructing the Updater.

Once you do, keep me updated on the outcome in your next post here & I’ll check back with you more closely. Thanks in advance & I’ll be looking forward to hearing back from you!

[Edit: My connection was probably a bit delayed, as I didn't get to see your latest update before posting. Pleased to hear you got this sorted & everything is working as expected.

I'll close this discussion for the time being, though please feel free to post here again at any time in case you have any questions or feedback. I'm wishing you a relaxed weekend ahead! ]

phildusart

I am having this exact same problem.

Dropbox is not syncing, there is no icon in the top right of the icon bar, when I try and open the Dropbox application nothing happens, and when I check the Activity moniter, the only Dropbox related process is "Dropbox Finder Integration", as the previous user had.

The Dropbox program was working well last week and syncing fine. I have tried the solution that the previous user said worked, typing "sudo update_dyld_shared_cache" through Terminal, however nothing different occured for me even after restarting.

Dropbox was working and syncing fine last week, I don't know what has happened especially as I have not had any updates that I was aware of over the weekend.

Jane

Thanks a lot for your detailed description of the steps you’ve followed so far @phildusart, I’d happily have an additional look on the matter with you!

I’d like to point you towards third party apps that may be killing the updates in the background (eg. some users have reported that the application "Boxifier" blocks the installation from being carried correctly). To bypass this, could you disable any Security/Antivirus programs & give our Offline installer a try?

Once you do, please let me know of the outcome in your next post, so that we work on that as closely as possible. Thanks again & I’m looking forward to hearing back from you on this discussion!

Thunderbird

My attempts to get the desktop application for DropBox to run on my MacBook Pro 15 (2017) running High Sierra keep failing. I've downloaded the app man times and tried the solution in this thread. Everything goes fine until I try to run the application. Nothing happens. I've been deleting files to save room on my desktop. I cut down the selective sync to just a few folders to give me more room on my hard drive. I was given an error message that I was attempting to delete too many files and I need to use the desktop application.

Jane

Hey @Thunderbird, apologies for getting back to you in delay & thanks for posting us on our Community on the matter. I’m just reaching back out to you to see if you’re still facing this syncing issue.

If so, please do let me know here & we’ll take it from there. Thanks in advance!

CassJohnson

I'm having this same problem! Bought a new Macbook Air and updated it so now it's running Mojave on the latest version. I installed Dropbox with offline installer and it did the download and installation but never gave me confirmation that it installed. It backed up all of my photos and I can access them through Finder, however the program itself I cannot open and it will not let me delete it to reinstall it.

Jane

Hey there (@CassJohnson), as a quick check, could you have a look on your menu bar at the top of your Mac for the Dropbox icon? If you hover your mouse on it, it should display the Dropbox syncing status. What does the message there read for you Cass?

From there, I’d like to point you to the syncing icons on your Mac that will help you paint a clearer picture on whether you’re syncing to your account online correctly :arrows_counterclockwise:/:white_check_mark:. If you’re facing an issue loading your syncing icons, I’d recommend unlinking & relinking your account on your desktop once, as it recreates the local database.

Last but not least (& just in order to focus more on your initial inquiry), can you let me know whether you received any error messages when you tried to delete or reinstall Dropbox? If you’ve done any initial troubleshooting on your end, please do keep me updated of the outcome, so as to further advise accordingly.

Any detail you could include on this discussion would be very helpful & thanks a lot for taking the time to clarify matters for me!

Dolphinwth

there's clearly an issue with Dropbox. Everthing else on my mac works same as before, dropbox no longer works after working fine for years. Dropbox: stop blaming on user error, the ether, or 3rd party applications, just put your heads together with the apple-mac folks and get it fixed. Dropbox should beta-test any updates prior to lauching to ensure a seemless expperience for users (regardless of what operating system/platform is being used). I'm guessing most of us aren't IT troubleshooting types, and just want Dropbox to function properly, always...

It was a great product when it worked, but looks like it's now going the way of the dodo bird.

Jane

Hey @Dolphinwth, we aim to make the updating process as seamless as possible however from what I gather from your description, it seems that you’re facing a syncing issue at the moment, is that right? If so, I’m wondering what this looks like on your end.

Just as a quick check, could you have a look on your menu bar at the top of your Mac for the Dropbox icon? If you hover your mouse on it, it should display the Dropbox syncing status. What does the message there read for you? Have you noticed any progress since the last time you wrote us here by any chance? Alternatively, have you tried any of my suggestions posted on this thread; please let me know in your next message if possible.

Any detail you could include on this discussion would be very helpful in determining the best next steps for you & thanks a lot for taking the time to clarify matters for me!

tbarben11

It wants a password and I don't know it.

Jane

Hey @tbarben11, can you elaborate a bit on that for me please? Does your inquiry pertain to not being able to launch the Dropbox application on a Mac device, as what has been discussed on this thread or a different one? Are you trying to sign in on your desktop & you're unable to get going with that because you don't remember your password? Have you tried resetting it by any chance?

Once I have these details, I’ll try to focus on that a bit closer. Thanks in advance!

xyz222

Apr 12, 2020 - i am responding to this entire thread, especially Jane, Dropbox Support (thx for trying). I also suddenly have a dysfunctioning NON-functioning High Sierra Dropbox (v.94.4.384) and am unwilling to attempt Terminal or any other suggestions until DROPBOX SUPPORT posts one that simply works.

I don’t have any suspect apps like Dropboxer or Boxifier etc. I have only the freeware uncustomized version of the Malware app, set to take NO ACTION, and nothing in my MBP is set to update automatically.

PLEASE give us direct, specific instructions, because Dropbox is the only tool/app malfunctioning so of course we deem it a Dropbox Corp. responsibility.

TIA.

Walter

Hi @xyz222; how are you today?

As our most recent stable buld (95.4.441) just got out, I'd suggest updating your desktop app's version to that first.

Let me know how it goes!