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Error message "couldn’t communicate with a helper application" when opening a file

Couldn't communicate with a helper application.

i am using an iPad, I see all my folder and I can see the document in the folder, but I cannot open it. I don’t know what to do and the message I receive is “couldn’t communicate with a helper application”

does anyone know what to do?

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Accepted answers

Jay

Could you try going to the Locations tab in the Files app, and then removing Dropbox, rebooting the device, and then re-enabling Dropbox?

All comments

Lusil

Hi there @Kacy, I'd be happy to help look into this with you.

Are you trying to open the file directly from the Dropbox mobile app or a third party app?

Is this file part of a shared folder that was sent to you by any chance?

If you could send me a screenshot of the error message as well, that would be super helpful.

Give me a shout whenever you have a moment to check this out, thanks!

kacy61

Thank you for getting back to me. I contact apple and they assisted with deleting the drop box app and reloading.

Problem solved.

😁

Lusil

Awesome work, @kacy61.

If anything else comes up again, you know where to find us.

In the meantime, I hope you have a great week ahead of you!

nashvillenewman

I would beg to differ that this is a “solution” I tried this once and now it’s happened a second time. What am I supposed to do keep deleting the app every time it happens? I pay $150 a year for my Dropbox. This shouldn’t happen.

Megan

Hey @nashvillenewman, thanks for posting here today!

Can you let me know the version of the OS that you're using? Also, what is the version of the app installed on your device?

Any screenshots of the message you received, are more than welcome.

Keep me posted, and we'll take it from there!

nashvillenewman

OS 15.6

Ver 292.3

”Can not communicate with the helper application.”

This happens when I try to save a file directly to Dropbox from Affinity Photo and Google Drive

Jay

Hi @nashvillenewman, does this error only occur when saving from these apps, or is it for any other app as well?

nashvillenewman

Also happens when I’m trying to move from my Files folder on my iPad to Dropbox

Megan

Hey @nashvillenewman, interesting.

Can you attach a screenshot of this message to your next reply, so we can have visual too?

nashvillenewman

PNG image.png

nashvillenewman

Now it’s ghosted entirely

Jay

Could you try going to the Locations tab in the Files app, and then removing Dropbox, rebooting the device, and then re-enabling Dropbox?

nashvillenewman

This worked. (for now - lol) Thanks Jay

Jay

Glad to hear it helped, enjoy your weekend!

dreamerer

Nope, it didn't work.

Nancy

Hey @dreamerer! Sorry to hear this didn’t work for you.

Can you let me know what’s the app version of the Dropbox app on your device? Also, what’s the OS version that it’s running at the moment?

dreamerer

iPad OS 16.3

Dropbox 312.3

iPad (Gen 9)

I think it may be and os problem. Why? I was trying to web upload a file and that generated an error of file 0 size. Looking at the file in Files shows that file size of 1 mb.

Jay

Were you trying to upload it to Dropbox directly, or another website?

dreamerer

No, link removed

Megan

Hi @dreamerer, if you didn't try to upload to Dropbox directly, or another website, could you then clarify the steps you followed?

myownbiggestfan

All I'm trying to do is move a folder from dropbox onto my ipad. I've tried doing it from the dropbox app and I tried from the files app. Both give me this error. I have disabled the sidebar item and rebooted, I've deleted dropbox and rebooted and reinstalled. iOS version 16.2. I've made the files available offline before doing it.

This has worked for me in the past. Suddenly there are problems.

Walter

Hi @myownbiggestfan, sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

Can you please send us a screenshot of the exact error you're getting?

Also, have you tried clearing the apps' cache since you first noticed this?