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Couldn't start Dropbox due to a permission error. What can I do?

My Win 11 Dropbox client suddenly stopped working and I'm now receiving a permission error. I attempted a re-installation but still get the exact same error.

Any suggestions on how this can be fixed?

The error log is below:

bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
bn.VERSION: 230.4.8797
bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 84
bn.is_frozen: True
machine_id: 0178ee66-4d19-4fe1-bec2-3dc1f05d8100
pid: 872
cwd: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Update\\1.3.983.1'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Update\\1.3.983.1'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
HOME: None
appdata: 'C:\\Users\\user\\AppData\\Local\\Dropbox\\instance1'
real_path='C:\\Users\\user\\AppData\\Local\\Dropbox\\instance1'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
dropbox_path: None
not found
parent not found
sys_executable: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\Dropbox.exe'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\Dropbox.exe'
mode=0o100777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
trace.__file__: 'C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\230.4.8797\\python-packages.zip\\dropbox\\client\\ui\\common\\boot_error.pyc'
real_path='C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Dropbox\\Client\\230.4.8797\\python-packages.zip\\dropbox\\client\\ui\\common\\boot_error.pyc'
not found
parent not found
TMP: C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Temp
TEMP: C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Temp
tempdir: 'C:\\Users\\user\\AppData\\Local\\Temp'
real_path='C:\\Users\\user\\AppData\\Local\\Temp'
mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40777 uid=0 gid=0
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "desktop/dropbox/client/main.py", line 6767, in _setup_root_for_account
File "desktop/dropbox/sync_root/helpers.py", line 199, in create_root_for_account
File "desktop/dropbox/foundation/futures/basic.py", line 1038, in result
File "desktop/dropbox/sync_root/manager.py", line 376, in create_root
File "desktop/dropbox/sync_root/handlers/windows/cloud_files.py", line 298, in register
File "desktop/dropbox/sync_root/handlers/windows/cloud_files.py", line 600, in _register
PermissionError: [WinError -2147024891] Access is denied

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DB231113

Turns out my dropbox files folder on the D Drive had somehow had the "Hidden" folder attribute applied. This was stopping dropbox from accessing this location on startup.
Correcting this attribute resolved the issue.

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Megan

Hey @DB231113, let's see what we can do to resolve this.

Sometimes, the antivirus (not only your firewall) or security software on your computer will block Dropbox from completing the startup process. To see if this is the issue, follow the steps below.

Temporarily disable any antivirus or security programs on your computer. Reinstall the Dropbox application using our offline installer.

If you still get the same result let me know. Thanks!

DB231113

Hi Megan,

Thanks for the reply.
I have followed these steps, disabled antivirus and firewall, reinstalled dropbox using the offline installer and still having issues with dropbox not starting. Same error as earlier post.

One additional thing I have found is Dropbox will work when the software is installed on C: drive AND my Dropbox files are stored on C: drive.

It won't work when I have Dropbox software installed on C: drive and Dropbox files stored another drive (in my case, the drive).

Any more assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

DB231113

Megan

Awesome news @DB231113! 😇

Thanks for the heads up. Wishing you a great week ahead, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need anything else. 👩‍💻