Hello, i keep getting these messages when trying to open files (pdf, jpegs, etc) that is located in the dropbox folder. restarting the computer helps but then the problem would return after opening a few files.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention, @syibimian.
What is your computer's OS and the sync status and version of the Dropbox app?
You can see the latter, by hovering over your Dropbox icon.
If you close the Dropbox app completely and then open one of those files, do you get the same error?
Let me know and we'll go from there.
Dropbox is Up to Date, v180.4.4912 (i just did an advanced reinstall)
Mac is on Ventura 13.5.1
I tried quitting the dropbox app, and the error persists. If I quit preview and double click on the file, it opens, but then when i try to open another file on the dropbox folder, the error occurs again.
Thanks for the update here!
Having the same issue with the Dropbox app closed, does indicate that this is not a Dropbox issue, but let's see what else we can find.
Can you give full disk access to Dropbox, to see if that helps?
i have given full disk access.
The thing is it only happens with the files in dropbox folder. could it be a permission issue or like a conflict of some sort?
Hi @syibimian, sorry to jump in here!
Does this happen with all of your Dropbox files or just some of them?
Just wondering if it's affected by files being stored online-only, instead of available offline. Do you notice this pattern?
i havent checked all files (i have few TBs of file stored in dropbox), but all the ones i sampled is affected.
Hi @syibimian. are the files marked as available offline in Finder?
no it's not. i'd be sure to download it first before opening.
By downloading it, do you mean manually changing it from online to available offline by right clicking the file and choosing the option, or by doubleclicking the file?
yes, changing it to available offline first.
Could you try fixing the permissions and hard links by following these steps?
hello, i've tried that and restarted, the problem seem to went away before start the dropbox app. then the problem returned after i started the app
Hi @syibimian I'm Demitri -- a long time tinkerer with the Dropbox desktop application 🙂 That error you're seeing is a filesystem/permissions error from MacOS, that says the file you selected to open, can't be with the existing permissions. That you mention this seems to fix itself after a restart, makes me think something else on the device may be interacting with your files in a way that changes those permissions while in use. You can take a look at what permissions are in place currently by right-clicking (or Control + clicking) the file and selecting Get Info. If you see either:
That may prevent you working on your files.
It's important to keep in mind: just about any time you provide your password to an application during install - it likely has access to modify your files. The Dropbox desktop application does as well - but our application will mirror your permissions as they exist in your account online. I would recommend taking a look at both the kinds of applications you typically use to open these files (maybe one of them is silently crashing and still 'touching' your files in a way that they can't be re-opened without restarting); or potentially take a look at apps like security/anti-virus that scan your files. These services have tools to 'quarantine' files in ways that could effectively result in what you're seeing. I hope this helps! If from your testing it seems like the Dropbox desktop application is making these unwanted changes to your file permissions - I'd encourage you to submit a support ticket. My team and I can look into any suspected issues on our end - but my suspicion is there's another party involved here.
