I can't download a PDF file from my own Dropbox account

Question

I'm having trouble downloading a PDF from my own site.  It isn't overly big.  I uploaded it in the first place.  Sharing is on.  Looking into the Share/Settings for that file I notice that the ability to "Disable Downloads" is set to OFF and greyed out as it is a premium function.  I assume this means that the file should be downloadable.

If I try to select and Download the file by any means nothing at all happens.  I have even copied the file and tried to download a new copy but no success.  This has been a discussed issue for many years that I can find.  Is it still an issue?  Is it maybe simply not allowed for PDF files?

Bordonbert · Answer

It's hard to tell now as it simply downloads and opens the file directly into Foxit, my PDF reader.  I managed to associate that app with the PDF format in Dropbox and that enabled me to download.  I would have to remove that association to test and I'm loathe to do that as it works around this issue at the moment.

I have to say that this is a well documented and very common problem and has been for years judging by the posts I've found describing it and looking for a solution.  Any Google search will bring up a long list of others suffering too.

Nancy · Answer

Thanks for clarifying that, @Bordonbert! Does the issue persist with different browsers or even incognito window?

Bordonbert · Answer

(EDIT:  By "my own site" I meant my Dropbox page, apologies if that caused any confusion, I should have been more clear in saying that.)  The original file was uploaded the simple no frills way.  I logged in, accessed the folder, hit the Upload button, chose File, navigated to the file on my own PC and off it went.  There seems to be nothing wrong with the file, I can view it in my browser directly on my Dropbox site.  The only thing I can't do is to Download it again direct from the Dropbox page.  The Download button does absolutely nothing at all.