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"Couldn't sync files" - doesn't exist

Dropbox shows me a notification that it "Couldn't sync files". However, I can't find that file on Dropbox or anywhere else on my computer. It couldn't sync since it had special characters in the title. Now I can't even find the file, and when I press "View file", nothing happens. How can I get this notification to disappear?

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Здравко

@Andrew73 wrote:
... clicking on "View file" does nothing. It doesn't even seem to exist on Dropbox either. ...

Yes, it's normal such file to neither exist on Dropbox nor be possible viewing. As I said, such a file name gets rejected on early stage and cannot exist in Dropbox! Don't try to find it online or on other machine (different that the origin). Bad thing is that in the error message only filename exists, but not the full path to there 🤷. Try find it locally on your MacOS 12.7.2 using some local search tool in Dropbox folder. As a corner case, try reinstall your Dropbox from "zero" (wiping out the existing Dropbox folder - tale care in such a case not to lose something).

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Darren M.

I think you have the same issue that I just posted about earlier today:
https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Create-upload-and-share/Unable-to-quot-View-File-quot-to-correct-sync-problem-on-Mac/td-p/741270

Let's hope someone is able to provide us with solution.

Nancy

Hey @Andrew73! Can you send me a few more details on this?

What type of files are these? Can you attach a screenshot?

Also, what’s the OS version of your computer, as well as the Dropbox app version?

Andrew73

The file is a Pages file (attached).

This shows up on my macOS 12.7.2 computer, but not my computers running the newest macOS version.

Screen Shot 2024-01-05 at 7.04.05 PM.png

Здравко

Hi @Andrew73,

Unfortunately, Dropbox file/folder names may contain only symbols part of basic multilingual plane of Unicode (😡 Big drawback 😕). You have 🌼(daisy) in your file name that's out of that symbols set. So in spite acceptable on all present day systems (including all supported by Dropbox), Dropbox itself reject them. That's why this file cannot get sync from your macOS 12.7.2 (where it originates from) to your newest macOS. You need to rename the file (and let Dropbox sync it) or to move it by hands (not relying on Dropbox). 🤷

Good luck.

Andrew73

I realize that the file cannot be synced because of the symbols in the file name. However, I cannot find the file. Any search doesn't bring up the file and clicking on "View file" does nothing. It doesn't even seem to exist on Dropbox either. That's the problem I'm having. I just want the notifications to stop.

Здравко

@Andrew73 wrote:
... clicking on "View file" does nothing. It doesn't even seem to exist on Dropbox either. ...

Andrew73

Thanks for the solution. By doing a local search for that symbol in Dropbox, I was able to find that hidden file and delete it. Thanks again!