Dropbox search can’t find anything. The files, however, are there. How can I make Dropbox find them or reindex them???
I put a large photo collection in Dropbox to save space on my laptop. I access Dropbox exclusively through my web browser, not the app. Recently I reorganized some photos into new folders, and now they cannot be found using search. The files are there when I go into the folder, but it's like they are invisible to the Dropbox search tool. I thought it just might take some time for the folders to re-index, but its been several days and they still don't come up in search results. What's weird is that new photos that I upload to the folder are searchable, but the ones that I moved into the folder are not. I'm very frustrated and wondering if I have to download all the photos from these folders and re-upload them just to make them searchable, which would be a pain. I'm also frustrated as it seems that I should never reorganize anything or I will never be able to find it again using search. To be honest, I'm wondering if Dropbox was the right solution for my cloud storage needs and maybe I should have used a different platform.
@SarahT123It's interesting to see your reply come in today because I posted this ages ago but yesterday was so frustrated again not to be able to find anything when using my computer finder. I'd think they'd be able to fix it by now. Dropbox is much superior by way of ease and organization but if you have to search out a file it's awful. I think you make an interesting point about moving the files. That definitely could be part of it. C'mon @dbox_! Help us out and fix this.
Can someone from Dropbox help me?
Search problem is nowhere near resolved for me. In fact, now that I'm focusing on it, it just seems to be getting worse and worse.
Can somebody from Dropbox resolve my search issue like it supposedly resolved it for others in this chain?
Thank you for letting me know that this seems to be a widespread issue in the community. Is there a way to get any support from Dropbox?
I welcome any and all new ideas on how to get Dropbox's attention to the search issues.
I'm still don't know whether the search function changes are Dropbox problems, or a Dropbox deliberate change in their format/protocols.
Given the deafening lack of response, I'm thinking maybe the latter.
Either way, it would nice if Dropbox would say something, anything to its paying customers.
Hi @amcoffice, thanks for posting here!
Interesting finds, and behavior! Which version of the Dropbox app do you use on your desktop?
Also, if you have any screenshots, feel free to send them over so I can also have visual too! Have you contacted our Support about this, by any chance? If so, do you happen to have a ticket number, so I can locate it on my system?
Thanks a bunch!
P.S. Dropbox desktop app No. 159.4.5870
Hi everyone, I hope you’re doing well.
@SarahT123, have you perhaps tried to switch browsers on your computer and see if the issue persists, when searching for the files you moved into your folders?
@photogirl007, I can see above that @Megan had asked you a couple of questions on this. Can you let me know what’s the syncing status and app version of your desktop app?
Finally, @amcoffice, can you please clarify on which platform are you having trouble with file search? Is it the website/desktop app/mobile app?
Please Ticket Nos. 19064142, 19082558, and 19046051 - lots of my screenshots documenting problems in those. Since problems persist, I could create more screenshot proof but rather not.
In addition, problems are on DB desktop app, website, and iPhone app. I do not know for sure, but problems seem rooted in files added via desktop app and any files (no matter when or how uploaded) that moved or renamed from any platform.
To answer future questions I'm likely to get in response:
my interent connection is fantastic
website problems are the same in Chrome and Edge
I'm adding, moving, and renaming DB files in the same way I have for years
While I appreciate any response., given the multitude of problems just reported here, the questions are likely for Dropbox, not its customers.
I'd be crushed to know that the work I've put into creating my database the last years is now potentially useless if I can't search it to find my files/dox/photos for future projects. Please help your customers who'd rather Dropbox resolve this than change their storage vendor.
Problems are on DB desktop app, website, and iPhone app. I do not know for sure, but problems seem rooted in files added via desktop app and ANY files (no matter when or how uploaded) that are moved or renamed while in any platform.
Dropbox desktop app seems up to date: version 159.4.5870
website problems are the same in Chrome and Edge browsers
I have not changed the way I've added, moved, or renamed DB files for years
While I appreciate any response, given the multitude of problems (even just those reported here), the questions are likely for Dropbox, not its customers.
Hey @klundq1, sorry to jump in, but could you clarify if you're referring to the website or the desktop app perhaps?
Can you let us know the exact OS of your device as well?
@Walter I am using the website, on Firefox. I am using macOS Monterey version 12.6
In that case, could you try clearing your browser's cache or another browser and let us know if the issue persists @klundq1?
@Walter still does it. I tried on Safari and Google Chrome both. I did clear the cache. For example I can search for 'Smith', and only Smith, John, comes up, but I have folders for both Smith, John, and Smith, James.
Hey @amcoffice, thanks for the ticket IDs.
I've located them in our system and passed your comments on to the expert who's handling your case, so you should be hearing from them soon.
Let us know if you have anything else to add in the meantime.
When it comes to your issue now @klundq1 - can you clarify if it happens with specific search terms or if this is affecting all of your search results?
yes it happens all the time. no specific search terms.
And basically only certain cases. I consistently will not find certain cases - for example I can always find Smith, John, but never ever Smith, James. They should both come up when I search Smith, but only John comes up. And it is always that same case that is missing, but I have other ones that are consistently missing too.
Thank you, Walter. I look forward to hearing from someone soon.
Search is not working for us. We use Zapier search zap functions, and those aren't working either. We reached out, but they directed us to you since they use the same search function on your site. Files are there, no results. All apps are up to date. We're only searching online, and no need for mobile.
After updating client, my Dropbox don't search correctly in client.
I'm SysAdmin and in all of my computers, it's the same.
Can you help me? I need to downgrade Dropbox or can I wait for the next version because come soon?
PD: Sorry for my English, it's not so good 😞
Hey @mgibert, thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Are you using a Windows or a Mac computer?
And are you only having an issue searching for files in your Dropbox folder, or other folders on your computer as well?
Let me know and we'll go from there.
Hi @Hannah,
We use Windows 10 on all computers. You can see this snapshots with the problem.
I'm searching IT000 Document of first snapshot, but in second snapshot can't find it.
Snapshot 1
Snapshot 2
My version is 159.4.5870.
Thanks
Hi all, thanks for your reports so far.
I just wanted to mention that there's an issue with the search functionality and you can track this incident on this page.
Our engineers are working to fix the issue and we'll make sure to keep you posted with any updates we may have.
Once again, thanks for flagging this with us.
Dropbox resolved this issue for me after several weeks and constant pushing on my part. The engineering team was extremely slow and unresponsive. They were the ones who had to fix it, and they finally did; but it was a poor experience to have had to have waited so long. Since the fix, it has been working properly. I hope this is helpful.
Hi team,
I am also facing the same issue after updating to Dropbox beta.
Confirm: Alfred isn't able to locate Dropbox files even if they are available offline.
Thank you @Walter for finally letting us know that it is a Dropbox problem. Brutal truth is always better than the tech-support runaround. I will keep a watch on the incident update page (probably too often), because I of course have huge projects due this week, and the search problem is making the workload almost double. Oh well, thank you for the update.
I've tried switching browsers and the search still doesn't work properly. I don't think it's a browser issue.
