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Dropbox Transfer "Couldn't add some files"

organizedimages

Hello,

I am trying to create a Dropbox Transfer of the entire contents of a folder. The folder contains 76.8 GB in total and over 16K of files. I am doing this from my Windows desktop. The folder is already within Dropbox but it appears that Dropbox wants to upload a new copy. I have the Professional plan specifically in order to be able to create large transfers.

When I attempt this, adding the 1 folder (and many sub-folders, etc), it successfully seems to prepare the transfer but after I click on Create Transfer, I eventually get the error message "Couldn't add some files. Try adding those files again or removing them." The single folder I added has "Failed to upload" in red text next to it.

I attempted again, this time adding by subfolder. It successfully prepared the transfer, with all folder being listed. After clicking on Create Transfer, like the prior attempt, it never left 0% and only showed 0 bytes out of 76.8 GB before failing. Every subfolder had "Failed to upload" next to it in red.

I am running Dropbox version 152.4.4880.

Kathy

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Accepted answers

organizedimages

For anyone else with a similar issue:

After my issue was brought to the attention of the Transfer team, it seems that there is both a total size and number of files limit. The transfer that I was attempting failed (nearly immediately) because the limit was 10,000 files. I was attempting a Transfer that was over 16,000 files.

Dropbox team - thanks for the quick response once my issue got sent to the Transfer team. You would have saved me a LOT of time and headache if you would include the file count limit somewhere, such as in the error message or in your Transfer documentation. I initially raised this issue weeks ago and it should have been an easy clarification.

All comments

Megan

Hi @organizedimages, let's have a look into this!

If you try sending the Transfer using our website, do you notice the same behavior?

Also, feel free to send some screenshots my way, in order to have a clear visual on this.

Thanks a bunch!

oneweb2022

Same issue here since this morning using transfer on safari.

Jay

Hi @oneweb2022, could you try creating the transfer on the site directly to see if this helps?

oneweb2022

Jay,

That is what I did. But just tried again with the same files and it now worked. Think it was a temporary glitch. Thanks for your support!

organizedimages

Dropbox transfer error.jpg

Megan, here is a screenshot from when the desktop transfer failed initially.

organizedimages

The transfer just failed again now when done from the website.

Transfer via website.jpg

oneweb2022

That was exactly the same message I received, but I got it on the webversion (so via the website). I could select all the files, no issue, but straight after clicking on 'create transfer' the message appears like 'Organizedimages' shows. So it did not even "try" to upload the files. But as I said, it works again for me now.

oneweb2022

@organizedimages

Don't know if you use an iMac or Macbook as I do. Completely unrelated, I did a reboot (just a normal restart) of my iMac just prior to trying again. Maybe safari or mac os had a few updates that needed downloading and installing and that might have sorted the issue for me.

organizedimages

@oneweb2022 , thanks for the suggestion. I'm on a Windows machine and did reboot this morning prior to trying again.

After trying on the website, where it displays that the file can't load, I was still able to click the "Create Transfer" button. The screen immediately jumped to displaying 99% complete with 76.84 Gb out of 76.84 Gb (screenshot attached), it's been spinning away at this percentage for the last hour or so with no change.

oneweb2022

Ok. That is the only thing I could assume went wrong with my Dropbox. Bit funny though we both had the issue on the same day. Did you try transferring other files just to make sure it is not something to do with the files you are trying to send? I know it did not want to upload any of the files I selected and they were just about 20 .jpg files and 12 .pdf files. I could not even get passed the upload screen, it did not take me to the 'progress' screen.

organizedimages

I haven't tried that. I really don't have an option, in the end. I am attempting to deliver a large set of organized photos and videos and I upgraded to the Professional account specifically for this ability. I've successfully done this in the past although it has been a while.

Dropbox team - please help! The attempted transfer that I mentioned last continues to spin.....

Megan

Hi guys, I hope you're doing well!

I'm glad to see that this is no longer a problem for you @oneweb2022.

Now, @organizedimages, it's odd that it's failing on both the desktop app, and website. Can I suggest one more thing?

Can you try using a different browser on your end?

organizedimages

@Megan

I just tried to add the 76 Gb folder to a Transfer using Microsoft Edge and it also failed. As someone had asked, I had tried to create this immediately after a reboot as well, with the same fail.

I do not believe there is any problems with specific files, as I was able to successfully create separate Transfers up to just over 16 Gb. I included all of the files in this folder over a series of 10 or more separate Transfers and when kept small, had no issues.

As I am creating a Transfer, the screen clearly shows that I should be able to add up to 100 Gb for a single transfer. Very frustrating.

AlexFred10021

Even though I pay a monthly fee I cannot get a file to transfer thru Dropbox, and I cannot find a way to reach a live technical person to help me.

This seems like a ripoff.

Megan

Hey @AlexFred10021, let's jump right into this!

Can you give me some additional info on this?

Which platform do you use on your end? Do you get any specific errors?

Let me know more, and we'll take it from there.

organizedimages

@Megan

So I have tried all of your suggestions but cannot create a 76 Gb Transfer. Now what?!

oneweb2022

@organizedimages

It might be a long shot, but because it has been a little bit slow getting replies from Dropbox customer support, could the issue maybe be the upload speed on your side and a failsafe on the Dropbox side? Maybe it cuts of because it takes to long and occupies the "line". I am only thinking because it is a huge amount of data you want to transfer and it might be an option (if you have not al ready done this) to hookup your PC or Laptop to the internet router via a cable rather than using Wifi. That increases speed and stability on the line and it might have the result you need?

organizedimages

@oneweb2022 , thanks for the reply. I am, however, working on a hardwired desktop. My upload speed is consistently around 23 Mbps but not sure if that would be considered fast or slow. I have at @Megan 's request tried to use the web interface to Dropbox to create the Transfer. With the files already being in Dropbox, that should have avoided an upload issue - the "failed" message comes very fast.

I was able to create a total of 10 separate transfers, keeping the largest transfer around 16Gb and those were created quickly, with no issues, so I do not believe there's anything in particular about the files involved that cause the upload to fail. And the screen does clearly show, when I first add the large folder, that I'm at 76 of 100 Gb so my plan and limit seems to be set correctly. That should rule out any data-throttling issues with my ISP as well.

Thanks again for the ideas, I really do appreciate you taking the time to share them!

Kathy

Walter

Hey @organizedimages, sorry to jump in here and thanks for all the information you provided.

Would it be OK if we reach out via email to have a further look into this internally?

organizedimages

Hi Walter, thanks for the follow-up. Yes, that would be fine because I would like to know if I'm going to be able to use this method in the future to Transfer up to 100 Gb or not, because I will alter my plan if not. I resolved my current dilemma by purchasing an external drive and mailing it across the country.

Walter

Sure thing, Kathy - I've just followed up via email, so please have a look at your email's inbox and we'll take it from there.

Happy Monday by the way!

organizedimages

For anyone else with a similar issue: