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Desktop app won't open in Mac Big Sur, stuck on "starting".

I never had a problem before. The desktop app now gets stuck while opening. I wiped all related files from the app and reinstalled. No change. I made sure I had nothing blocked from internet access, and gave full disk access to dropbox in my security prefs. No change. The app just says "Starting" and never goes further. Preferences in the app tell me I'm signed in. I don't use a LAN or Proxy. Any advice?

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Megan

Hi @Sheldon L, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Could you confirm the version of the Dropbox desktop application you're running? You can do this by hovering your mouse over the Dropbox icon in the system tray or menu bar.

Also, Is there a possibility that a proxy, VPN, firewall, security software, or even ISP/router issues could be restricting traffic to the following Dropbox domains?

I'll be waiting for your reply!

Sheldon L

I don't use a proxy, turned off VPN, don't use a firewall, disabled my security software, and haven't changed my ISP/router. Everything was working fine a few weeks ago when I last used it (and always has been). Does the latest version work with Big Sur 11.7.10? After download and reinstall (today) I'm clearly using the latest version.

Jay

Hi @Sheldon L, the Dropbox desktop application should still be compatible with your OS at this time.

How long have you kept the app running to see if it gets past the 'Starting' stage?

Sheldon L

I left the app running up to an hour. It never started. I've always had my app set to automatically upgrade. What has changed in the last month? Is there a previous version I could try?

Jay

Thanks for the report. We're currently experiencing issues with the Dropbox desktop application, and are working on a fix at this time.

Sheldon L

It would have been nice if I was told that in the beginning instead of making me think that I did something wrong and running me around in circles. I haven't used the dropbox app for about a month. How long has this problem existed?

Sheldon L

Is there an older build that I can use for Mac BIG SUR OS11.7 ?

Jay

The issues we've had back should've been resolved. Are you still experiencing issues on your device?

Sheldon L

Yes. Still stuck on "starting."

Jay

When you reinstalled the app originally, did you perform an advanced reinstallation?

Sheldon L

I use an advanced app that deletes all files associated with the app. 6 files in all.

Sheldon L

Additionally, I have read in another post in the dropbox forum that the current version of dropbox WILL NOT WORK on any Mac operating system before 12. I'm using 11.7 Therefore, installing the current system, will not work. That's why I'm looking for the previous build that will.

Megan

Hey @Sheldon L, have you made sure that you have no third-party apps that could be interfering with the Dropbox app?

Also, just to make sure we're on the same page here, did you try the advanced re-install that my colleague suggested?

If not, you can always try the offline installer in any of the versions mentioned here.