Child Item

Why are some of my Dropbox files not showing in File Explorer (Windows)?

I can view and access files via my phone and via dropbox online, but some files are not visible in Windows Explorer (Win 10).

The strange thing is that the files are actually there; If I open excel, for example, and select the file from the recently opened files list, the file opens.

If I save the file, it will reappear in Windows Explorer. If I close it again without saving, it does not reappear.

This is seemingly random; some files created at the same time appear and some do not. For example file-1 and file-4 show in explorer, but file-2 and file-3 do not. All created at around the same time, on the same computer.

I thought at first that this was a sync issue, but the fact that the files can be opened suggest that the files are syncing, but just not being displayed.

I have ruled out sharing issues as this is happening with documents that only I have access to and I cannot see files on the computer originally used to create them.

I have ruled out file name issues, as there are no special characters, the only difference in file names is usually a version number.

I have ruled out a deletion issue as the files can still be opened.

I do not have smart sync, this is only a free account.

Any suggestions welcome.

edit: I am using build 52.4.58

edit2: I have just found a file that I can open via the program (recent files), edit and save, but still doesn't show up in windows explorer.

Find more posts tagged with

View

Desktop

OffTopic

Insightful

Accepted answers

Elixir

Is it possible that the files are hidden in your system? Can you please turn on the Windows explorer settings to show hidden files?

In order to do that go Windows Explorer >> View >> Options >> Change folder and search options.

2018-06-25 at 8.39 PM.png

In the next window, Click View > and toggle the button to show hidden files:

2018-06-25 at 8.40 PM.png

Is the files visible now in Windows Explorer?

All comments

Elixir

Hi Richard, can you please launch your Dropbox folder, and check if the files are there? Please click the Dropbox icon in your windows tray, then click the folder icon, it will take you to the Dropbox folder. Do you see the files there?

2018-06-25 at 7.53 PM.png

Also, in the Excel program do you see the file path in the recent files list?

2018-06-25 at 7.58 PM.png

If you browse that folder in Windows explorer, do you see the file?

richardmonk

Thank you for your response.

If I click the dropbox icon and then the folder icon, the file is not visible.

In Excel, the file name and path appear correctly in the recent files list (and opens correctly if selected).

In Excel, if I click Open > Browse and select the folder, the file is not visible. If I type the correct file name and click the "open" button, the file opens correctly.

If I browse the folder in Windows explorer the file is not visible.

Jay

Hi Richard, could you confirm that the files have the green tick icon when they appear in Explorer?

Does this only occur for files in a certain folder, or does it occur throughout the account?

Could you try temporarily quitting the Dropbox desktop application to check and see if this happens when it isn’t running.

Let us know the results!

Elixir

Is it possible that the files are hidden in your system? Can you please turn on the Windows explorer settings to show hidden files?

In order to do that go Windows Explorer >> View >> Options >> Change folder and search options.

2018-06-25 at 8.39 PM.png

In the next window, Click View > and toggle the button to show hidden files:

2018-06-25 at 8.40 PM.png

Is the files visible now in Windows Explorer?

richardmonk

The files do not appear in explorer, so there is no way to check for a green tick.

This is occuring in a number of folders throughout the account.

I have quit the Dropbox desktop application. The files did not reappear in Windows explorer. I have rebooted several times. Still files not visible.

File 2018-06 showing in recent files list..

File 2018-06 showing in Dropbox online folder...

File 2018-06 missing from Open > Browse window

richardmonk

Bingo! The files were set as Hidden.

No idea why, or how this could have happened. I was working on several files at the same time, yet only some saved as hidden, and I definitely didn't intend for anything to be hidden, so now I have to figure out what on earth was going on.

Thanks for your help.

Bob M.43

I have what sounds like the exact same issue though I don't think it's Dropbox with the issue. I also have XYplorer, and everything shows up in there just fine. I'll put money on the latest Windows 10 update being the culprit.

Bob M.43

Whoa, I just opened one of my recent Excel files that I had saved to one of the affected folders, and followed it's path. Somehow, the files were moved from the original "Dropbox/Docs/Business Records" to "Dropbox/Documents/Videos"!

When I go to Dropbox in my browser, Dropbox sync preferences, and XYplorer, everything is the same as it's always been - i.e., "Dropbox/Docs/Business Records" all intact, and absolutely no "Dropbox/Documents/Videos" folder at all.

I'll still put money on it being a Windows update issue.

lubamaros

I had the same issue but just for folders which had ":" in the name like "Folder:Numberone", when I erased the ":" it suddenly appeared in the Explorer.

WillieG

Hidden files setting solved it for me - thanks for clear printscreens above!!!!

mary c.19

I have a similar problem but it's not invisible and can't be opened through Explorer. I always use my computers as my work network and until recently have had no problem setting up files on one computer and having them be instantly available on the other. But today, everything is normal on the originating computer, the Dropbox site via a browser, and when pulling up the online "globe" icon through the the app via the tray icon (and I get the green check, and when I go through settings/preferences it should be making a hard drive copy, showing--I have premium and archive some of my files online only but this was a new one) But if I click the file icon to show via Internet Explorer, it doesn't show up. Normally I wouldn't even have to bother to go through the tray icon; I could just click the Dropbox "file" in Internet Explorer (which is usually open) and a new file would be visible. I've done all of the regular troubleshooting including loading the new (fall 2019, I think) app for Windows, which I assumed was the problem.

Walter

HI there @mary c.19; thanks for joining this discussion and sorry to hear about this.

Just to make sure we're on the same page, can you please let me know if the app within the system tray/menu bar on both devices is showing 'Up to date' which means you're fully synced?

If you've ensured you're fully synced and still have issues with this, I'd appreciate a screenshot of any errors you might be getting so I can have a better look into this.

Thanks!

mary c.19

Hi, yes, everything shows that it should be synced on this computer. On the right I've circled two files added to the Dropbox folder, created in Dropbox (FE view) on the originating computer (the way I've done it for years, so there's no problem there). They show to be synced / up to date from all possible remarks in Dropbox or on my other devices. The FE view was clicked directly through the Dropbox tray icon. The arrows show where the folder should be and where it is on every other device I've checked. If I view online--the globe--the folder is there. This is not a file I've chosen to leave unsynced to my hard drive copy. I have no internet problems--this has gone on for days. This is a file I created with my own system and preferences--from a file template I always use--not one I was sent wholesale by my client. I've checked to make sure that template file wasn't told by mistake not to sync on this computer as I was cleaning out old files. I've made files recently that work fine, so I can create a replacement file; I just don't want this to happen again. Thank you!

File Expl view unsynced Dropbox fileI_LI.jpg

rickmarengo

I have the same problen and have read the post top to bottom. I have tried the "hidden" tickbox as you can see from my screenshot. Though, why the files should become hidden, I do not know.

I also do not buy the Windwos 10 Update as it is up to Drop box to sort that out if their synch and views are not compatible with Windows 10 Explorer.

SirBlaggle

the only way to see everything is with a good file manager not supplied by microsoft or any big companies or sketchy sites, for eg, an ftp transfer tool, another good way is to strait up search the file with your computers master cosole *cough* command prompt *cough* to let you use file explorer to go to any file it says isnt there but definitely IS, just make sure not to get viruses or antiviruses while downloading any file tools .

p.s. dont bother downloading any antimalware unless you make it yourself.

MCho

I am having the same problem with my file folders not appearing on Windows 11 Explorer. I've uninstalled and reinstalled several times, but still not showing

Please help

Walter

Hey there @MCho, sorry to hear about this.

It seems that the desktop app hasn't finished syncing yet. Can you hover over the Dropbox icon in your system tray and let me know its exact status?

Is it still syncing or is it showing 'up to date'?

Sherlock316

I have the same problem - 3 days now - file explorer is no longer connected to Dropbox. files shows up in dropbox (system tray DB icon/ folder). But, when in word and I create a new doc and try to save it to the same place i've been saving work files - i get the "You Can't save here. Please choose another location."

Walter

Hey @Sherlock316, sorry to hear about this.

Can you please let us know the app's exact status and version as shown in your system tray?

If you could also send us a screenshot of the exact error you're getting, I'd appreciate it.

Sherlock316

Dropbox version 150.4.5000

I only get the error message (two versions - the one above and sometimes the "You Can't Save here. please choose another location") - but i only get it when i'm trying to Save As into a different word folder by choosing "browse" in the Save As dialog box. If i Save As and go through the dropbox icon in the Save As dialogue box - it saves the file.

Just tried again and got this error:

So - I think I resolved it - for some reason when opening up an older Word file i can't just Save As and use the same file name (that when I get the various error messages above)...if, when I'm Saving As, i delete the file name and retype it in the Save dialog box, then it saves it as it should. probably an issue with older word files.

sdemarc2

I have done this myself and the issue remains. A file created by another user in our shared dropbox will show up when I access my dropbox via the web, but refuses to show up in my windows dropbox files. The other user does use dropbox on a Mac, but this isn't a regularly occurring issue - I can see I believe most (if not all) of their other documents.

Walter

Hey @sdemarc2 - have you ensured that the filenames do not contain an invalid character that might be causing this syncing issue?

sdemarc2

Oh!

You are correct, it had a : in the file name. I've changed that and now it is showing.

Thank you!!!

Walter

No biggie @sdemarc2 - glad to hear this helped.

Take care!