I use Dropbox to store most of my files so I can share them easily, so I normaly create the projects directly on a Dropbox sync folder on my PC. However, since some days ago, I have started getting this error when trying to create or save a .prpoj directly into a Dropbox sync folder: An unknown error occurred while saving the project .prproj (\\?\D:\Dropbox\ .prproj I believe the error has to do with the "?" in the start of the saving location, which I don't know why it's there. Any ideas on how to fix this issue? Both Dropbox and Premiere Pro are up to date. I've also asked on the Adobe community, but I don't know if this bug is related to Adobe or Dropbox. Thanks in advance

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"Unknown Error" when saving an Adobe Premire Pro project directly into a Dropbox folder

I use Dropbox to store most of my files so I can share them easily, so I normaly create the projects directly on a Dropbox sync folder on my PC.

However, since some days ago, I have started getting this error when trying to create or save a .prpoj directly into a Dropbox sync folder:

An unknown error occurred while saving the project

<Name>.prproj (\\?\D:\Dropbox\<directory>.prproj

I believe the error has to do with the "?" in the start of the saving location, which I don't know why it's there. Any ideas on how to fix this issue? Both Dropbox and Premiere Pro are up to date. I've also asked on the Adobe community, but I don't know if this bug is related to Adobe or Dropbox.

Thanks in advance

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Walter

Thanks for the update @Agirres.

In this case then, this might be caused by the syncing process when our app is running while you're also working on Adobe Premiere Pro.

Apart from quitting the app when working on your files through Adobe's Premiere Pro, you might also be able to work-around this issue by pausing the sync.

I know it's not much, but I sure hope this helps to some extent.

Please let me know if there's anything else I can assist with.

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Walter

Hi @Agirres; welcome to our Community and happy Monday!

Can you let me know what our desktop app is reporting within your system tray when you're making these changes?

Also, to help isolate the issue, could you please try quitting the Dropbox application by using the following steps:

Click the Dropbox icon in your system tray
Click on your profile picture or initials to the right of the search bar and select "Quit Dropbox"

If the issue with creating or saving those projects into your Dropbox folder persists when Dropbox is completely closed, this would suggest that the cause is related to something outside of the Dropbox application. You may want to check other applications or components of your computer's Operating System that could be causing this.

If the issue is resolved when Dropbox is completely closed though, please let me know and we'll take it from there.

Thanks a bunch!

Agirres

Hey Walter!

It does indeed work when I quit Dropbox, so at least now I have a way to save the projects directly!

So I guess it's a Dropbox issue.

Walter

Thanks for the update @Agirres.

In this case then, this might be caused by the syncing process when our app is running while you're also working on Adobe Premiere Pro.

Apart from quitting the app when working on your files through Adobe's Premiere Pro, you might also be able to work-around this issue by pausing the sync.

I know it's not much, but I sure hope this helps to some extent.

Please let me know if there's anything else I can assist with.

RyanPatch

I have used Dropbox for creative projects for years - ever since it first premiered, but I only started having this error in the last few months. In both ProTools or Adobe Premiere, saving project files OVER already-saved projects (ie, hitting CTL+S) results in an error from the application saying they can't save. See below:

Screenshot 2020-08-07 23.38.31.png

A similar unknown error comes up with protools.

However, doing a "Save As" works fine - until it's saved. Then, if I try to save THAT file again, I get an error.

This DOES NOT happen with any other file type (word, photoshop, for instance). This DOES NOT happen if just save to the desktop OR when I save when DB is quit/not running - so I know it's DB specific. This DOES happen on my laptop.

Windows 10 Pro build 1909. Fast everything. Plenty of disk space.

demafleez

I have this same issue, specifically with Premiere only. Other apps including Photoshop, After Effects & Cinema4D do not have the same behavior even tho they are saved in to the same top level folder structure.

I'm not sure if the issue lies in Adobe or Dropbox's (or both) but my work around instead of doing a file save as is to temporarily pause DB syncing via the system tray icon. Super big pain for sure until the issue is resolved.

YoniL

I am having the same issue with dropbox and adobe premiere. Are y'all working on a solution with Dropbox? Could the app delay syncing until the file is saved?

Turning off sync indeed fixes the issue but I'd prefer to have it on most of the time.

Thanks,

Yoni

LaurenceSpliceFilms

Yup, I also get this issue. Frustrating because I switched from Google Drive to dropbox because I was getting errors saving C4D into Drive, now on Dropbox I get this issue with Premiere! Everything else is fine though.

I have the exact same error message as the OP.

Lusil

Hey @YoniL and @LaurenceSpliceFilms, thanks for nudging us on this thread.

As Walter mentions above, could you let us know if you can prevent the error message from appearing by pausing sync before editing the file, and resuming syncing after you've closed the third party app?

Keep us posted!

LaurenceSpliceFilms

Thanks! Yes, pausing syncing on the Dropbox app works and allows me to save in Premiere. Once I close Premiere and resume syncing it seems to be fine.

Not sure if this is helpful but I noticed in the folder where the premiere file is saved, it seems to create a bunch of weirdly named files. I've attached a screengrab for reference.

So the only way to save the file while dropbox is actively syncing is to do "Save As", hence why there's 10 versions. Everytime I tried a normal "Save" it would create those additional files with the crazy names!

Hope that helps.

Lusil

Thanks for the additional information, @LaurenceSpliceFilms.

It looks like the files you're seeing are asset files created by the third party app, to enable it to open the project in question.

For this reason, I'd recommend pausing syncing before opening the file, saving any changes you make, closing the third party app after you're done, and resuming syncing again.

Let us know if you have any trouble even after doing this or if you have any other questions. Cheers!

LaurenceSpliceFilms

Okay that's a temporary workaround but hopefully this can be fixed - it doesn't do this on my Mac in the same scenario and it's disruptive to the workflow.

Thanks.

demafleez

Well, as of v104.4.175, there is *NO* option to pause syncing! Good news is I think the update fixed my Premiere saving issue. That said, I think removing pause sync feature is a step in the wrong direction. For troubleshooting purposes I think that feature is still helpful.

Jay

Hi @demafleez, pause syncing should still exist in the Dropbox desktop application. There's been a recent change in the newest 105.4.651 version, so could you try updating to that version to test this?

To pause syncing, can need to click the Dropbox icon in the system tray/menu bar, then click the message in the bottom left (it could say syncing, or up to date), and then you should be able to pause syncing for '30 minutes', '1 hour' or 'Until tomorrow'.

Let me know how it goes!

demafleez

Thanks for the followup @Jay . I've updated to the latest version and the pause function is indeed there. I was looking for it under the account icon at the top right and honestly had no idea that hovering over the bottom right 'up to date' icon would offer up the pause function. Not sure if that's how it functioned in prior versions, but you guys/gals might wanna add an ellipsis(...) to that icon or something to indicate that it is actually button that has functionality rather than it being mistaken for just a static status condition. Thanks!

Jay

Thanks for the feedback on this matter, @demafleez!

I'm happy to hear you were able to pause the syncing on your device. Enjoy your week!

NexusMotion

This is an incredibly annoying problem and needs to be fixed. It didn't do this before, and it doesn't always do it. Seems to only happen on certain projects for me. This issue also seems to be related to updates this year where Dropbox "holds on" to files and makes them impossible to delete or move because "another application is using these files." For someone in a production environment using Dropbox as a business and paying good money for syncing, we shouldn't have to quit or pause your services to save a file.

DaveVeal

Using DB as our small design firm's main tool. FURIOUS that this is still a problem. And ONLY with premiere for us. AEX, C4D everything else is fine. Pausing DB while working is antithetical to the point of real time cloud back up. This HAS to be addressed. Pausing and stopping all our synching across multiple projects while one editor is working in premiere is ridiculous. DB, please get with Adobe and figure this out. Clearly something DB did with a new build broke this as it's showing up no matter what version of Premiere one uses. Ones that used to function fine w DB. Please advise. Running DB 114.4.368, windows 10. Premiere 2019/2020

NexusMotion

Absolutely. Plus when you pause the Dropbox it takes FOREVER to turn back on and give you right-click options again. And now dropbox has to be restarted like 10 times a day cause it just stops working and only acts like it's syncing. There's something terrible going on behind the scenes right now and they need to fix it. As someone who runs a business in quarantine using this paid service, it should work better than this. I've had this service for YEARS and it's getting more and more bloated.

DaveVeal

Couldn't agree more. I totally forgot about the disappearing right click options i've been seeing in mac. Sporatically i've had to link out to the web browser versions of files just to generate a share link for a client email. Honestly considering other options because of these latest developments. But based upon the lack of concern from DB and their above "excitement" that pausing "solved" the OP's problem, they don't seem to be very concerned if at all.

NexusMotion

Yep same here! Having to manually upload and link via the web because it takes too long for it to get up and running again. I'm on a $15,000 machine with 1gig internet. Shouldn't be that slow. This is by far not "SOLVED." Maybe we should all repost this issue so it doesn't come across as solved.

DaveVeal

I was laughing just now thinking the same thing... "SOLVED"??!!! The solution is to LITERALLY stop using the product??? Then start using the product. LOLOL. I love customer service these days. Like that old joke... "Doctor... my arm hurts when I do this..."

sammtobias

Yeah I do pause when I have to save a premiere File. But that is a pain in the ass. Please Fix it!