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My Dropbox Transfer doesn't have my files on them as they're 0 bytes each

I am transferring 387 video file clips (total only 600 MB). After I created transfer, and it completed uploading from my Mac. It kept saying total 0 bytes and no thumbnails shown for any of the files. My client were not able to download anything from it. I tried several times.

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Comments

Jay

Hi @jkrieger1, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Just to check, were the files available offline on your computer, or were they online-only when you created the transfer?

This will help me to assist further!

jkrieger1

Not sure if I fully understand your question. The files were on my Mac locally. When I created the Transfer, I selected these 387 files. Dropbox Transfer uploaded them then I gave the transfer a name, then copied the link for the client to use to download from. When the client clicks on the link, all they see is zero bytes and no thumbnail list window. When I returned to see my transfer dashboard and I was seeing the same thing. The first time I did set password. So I tried it all over again, but this time no password in case it was interferring. But I see the same results. I have used Dropbox Tranfser a number of times (with much fewer files mostly under 100 video clips but larger file sizes) successfully.

Jay

Were files originally in your Dropbox folder, or from another location on your machine?

jkrieger1

From my local hard drive on my Mac. I directed Dropbox Transfer to upload from my hard drive.

Jay

Depending on your Dropbox subscription, the file size limits can be seen in this article.

Could you try switching browsers and create the Dropbox Transfer there to see if this helps?

jkrieger1

Ive successfully transferred maybe 50-100 files totalling over 5 GB without issues. This one is 387 files but totalling only 538 MB so I doubt file size limits is the issue. My question is whether the file COUNT (not size) is a limiting factor since this is my first time sending large number of files. I doubt it has to do with browser (I use Chrome) since it works just fine in the past.

Megan

Hey @jkrieger1, let me also jump in here!

I'd definitely appreciate it if you could try a different browser, or just try clearing the cache on your current one.

It worked before, but we need to make sure that this isn't a browser-specific issue in order to move forward.

As for the file count, it shouldn't matter as long as it's within the allocated size limit of the Transfer depending on the plan you're using. Can you try a smaller batch to see if you notice the same behavior?

jkrieger1

I used Safari to do second test. Same results.

When I created new transfer, I directed it to my local folder on my Mac where the 387 video clips are (total 535MB).

It uploaded to 100%, then I see thumbnail of first video clip on "manage transfers" screen.

I also received email informing me that my transfer was successfully uploaded, and on it it showed all thumbnails of video files correctly.

However, clicking either on the dropbox transfer dashboard, or the "preview" link from the email, it will bring up a window and it displays nothing and 0 bytes.

See screenshots

Screenshot 2024-11-07 at 10.25.20 AM.png

Screenshot 2024-11-07 at 10.25.08 AM.png

jkrieger1

I did some troubleshooting - on Safari and Chrome on my M1 Mac. Using same video clips from same folder on my local Mac Drive, I think anything over 300 files will choke.

I tested 50 - Success

I tested 100 - Success

I tested 200 - Success

I tested 300 - Success

I tested 350 - Fail

I tested 387 - Fail

See screen shot below is where it got hung waiting to refresh with thumbnails of all my uploaded files. This is what my clients see too.

Temporary solution is to upload up to 300 files at a time, unless you provide a resolution.

Screenshot 2024-11-07 at 12.08.08 PM.png

Hannah

Hey @jkrieger1, thanks for the additional info and screenshots here.

What happens when your recipient tries to download the content despite the fact that Transfer doesn't show any previews and reports 0kb?

jkrieger1

Download button is disabled. Nothing can the client do except stare at the window with each item list "scrolling to the right" I see the same thing when truying to download from my own Transfer dashboard.

Jay

Do you get this same issue when creating the transfer using a different machine entirely?

jkrieger1

I uploaded locally from my Macbook the same 387 files (535MB total). Same results.

Jay

Thanks for the info, in order to look into this matter in more detail, I'd recommend contacting the support team directly for them to investigate further.