Child Item

Dropbox syncing files already deleted from laptop and Dropbox

Device / System
Acer Laptop / Windows 10 / latest app and browser

Question or Issue
Hello! I have deleted a folder containing a big amount of references (I am an artist) which has collected around 100.000 files until now. I ported them over to an external harddrive and deleted the local folder. Once the syncing was done I notice, after a restart, that Dropbox tried to sync those files again. I checked in the browser and the folder was still there while on my laptop it was not. So I deleted it there too.
Now the dropbox app is trying to sync those files again, stating "96.600 files are being downloaded", which blocks any other form of synchronization for the files that would truly need it.

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Comments

Dell_Dropbox

Hey there @Kismuntr welcome back to the community,

Can you confirm whether you have Dropbox Backup or external drive backup enabled for this external hard drive or the deleted folder?

You can find this by opening the dropbox desktop app, clicking your name/icon in the bottom left corner, opening preferences and clicking the "backups" tab.

Kismuntr

Hello!
No backups exist (and no backup function seems to be enabled), neither on the main laptop nor the external hardrive (which is not permanently connected to the laptop, if that is any help).

The screenshots are in German so I hope they help:

Walter

Hey @Kismuntr - thanks for the screenshot and guten Abend von mir.

Can you please clarify if the folder you deleted was available offline on your computer or online-only?

If you still see it in the web browser, can you try clearing your cache and/or another browser to delete it again and let us know how it goes?

Kismuntr

It was available offline, not in "online-only". And I did delete it in the browser (directly on dropbox.com by logging in and deleting it there). I cannot see it anymore (on neither of my dropbox connected devices. The folder is, according to those devices, deleted. Neither accessible through an app or any device directly. I also cleared the cache (Dropbox\.dropbox.cache).

Walter

In that case, I'd suggest letting the app sync your changes until it's 'up to date and if you still face any issues afterwards, just let us know and we'll take it from there.

Kismuntr

Thank you @Walter!
One last question though. Is the number supposed to be stuck?
Because the app says it syncs but there is no progress. It is still showing 96.665 files syncing/downloading (tried restarting the desktop app, restarting my laptop, same result).
The app itself is sully accessible. I can pause the sync, access settings, etc. It just seems the syncing process is stuck.

Walter

I see, thanks for letting me know about this.

Have you tried quitting the app and/or rebooting your computer since you first noticed this?

If you did and the number remains the same, you can try fixing your hardlinks and permissions.

Keep us posted anyhow!

Kismuntr

The app has been rebooted. Laptop has also been rebooted.
"Fix Permissions" does not register (no reaction, just the button flickering upon click).
"Fixing Hardlinks" gave me a prompt that hardlinks are being fixed, but no effect on the stuck sync.
Rebooted the app again and now it seems to register that I saved new files (the screenshots shared here) but it hops around between the numbers 96.665 - 96.667 with no further progress.

I logged into dropbox directly from my browser (firefox) to check if the files might still be there but I deleted them permanently so there shouldn't be anything left for dropbox to sync/download.

Hannah

Hi there, @Kismuntr, is the syncing still stuck like that?

Also, how many files do you currently have in your Dropbox folder?

Kismuntr

Hello @Hannah
Yes, the sync is still stuck. I checked in with my other connected devices (Android Phone, Ipad, and a second laptop) and all those devices are fine. No syncing troubles. They state everything is up to date. It seems to be just this device.

I have several hundred thousand files, as I am an artist and photographer and store all my pictures, photos, references, etc, on dropbox.
(I am running a properties check on my Dropbox folder and will update as soon as possible with the exact value).

Here a screenshot of the main folder that contained the subfolders I deleted. The main folder shows the syncing symbol but inside everything is up to date (and the folders I deleted are actually gone, both on this device and on dropbox.com)

Edit:
I got an error message from my device about storage space running low and checked the Appdata folder connected to dropbox. Could this perhaps be connected to it?
Because the main reason why I deleted all those files was exactly that. I moved a big amount of files, storage space ran low (due to Appdata filling up), I transferred those files to an external harddrive and deleted the folders/files on my device and dropbox.com in hopes it would not sync anymore and not further fill the Appdata folder, it synced fine once, then it began resyncing all those deleted files. And now it seems to be stuck trying to still sync files that are not there anymore.

Edit 2:
Now syncing jumped to 146.239 files. No change in the folders coming from me besides saving the screenshots that I am sharing.

Kismuntr

Follow up (Since I cannot edit my post anymore) here is the result from the properties check:
Size: 1,04 TB
On Disc: 628 GB
Total: 568.532 Files | 10.196 Folders

Megan

Hey @Kismuntr, thanks for the added info!

Do you have any third party app, proxy, VPN, firewall, security software, or even ISP/router settings that could be hindering the syncing process? If so, then could you try temporarily disabling those? Maybe that will do the trick.

You may additionally keep in mind that it seems that you have more than 300K files inside your Dropbox folder, which could be the culprit for the performance issues you’re having (you can also read more details here).

If I were you, I'd try to remove some folders with the help of selective sync.

I'll be waiting for your updates!

Kismuntr

Thank you @Megan
I did check if any third party apps are hindering the process and those were sadly not the culprit. I also apply selective sync wherever possible.

The issue here is that my device is trying to sync files that are no longer existing. I deleted those files and the app still tries to sync them. All my other 3 connected devices (android phone, ipad, and acer laptop) synced fine without any troubles. All 3 state: up to date.
It is only that one device where I deleted those files that is stuck trying to sync them (they are deleted both on the device and on dropbox.com = permanently)

Megan

Hey @Kismuntr!

Can you also try signing out of the app, and then sign back in? You can always use these steps.

Kismuntr

@Megan I avoided doing so of the risk that my "online only" files would then also try to "sync" and add additional workload. Is it safe to log out and back in without creating more workload?

Megan

Hey @Kismuntr!

Signing out and back into the app shouldn't typically affect the status of your files. However, if you notice an increase in your syncing status after signing in, please let me know and we'll proceed accordingly.

Kismuntr

Hi @Megan

I logged out of the app as you suggested. Now the app won't let me log in anymore. It requires a new location for the Dropbox folder and, as far as I understood, the app wants to resync all my files that are already existing on this device into the new folder. Choosing the same location is not possible. It is basically setting up dropbox on my device brandnew despite there already being a dropbox folder with all my files. Since I am unable to do so I can also not log into the app anymore.

Megan

Hey @Kismuntr!

You should be able to relink the app to your existing Dropbox folder. During the installation process you should be able to see the 'advanced' setup.

This should allow you to choose the parent folder of the existing Dropbox folder as the location for the new install, so as to merge the folders without re-downloading the files.

Can you try out these steps, and let me know how they work out for you?

Kismuntr

Hi @Megan

I followed the steps (clicked on advanced setup to choose my already existing folder). It still says that this is not possible "There's already a folder or file named Dropbox". It wants to rename it and create a new "dropbox location" but then says it is not able to rename the folder and I have to choose another location, thus creating a whole new instance for dropbox and redownloading all the files that are already on my device (which I want to avoid).

Walter

Can you try selecting the parent folder then and not your already existing folder @Kismuntr?

If you still get the same results, I'd appreciate a screenshot so that we can have a visual too.

Kismuntr

Hello and thank you @Walter

I have done the following:

1. I started the app and was prompted to sign in, which I did

2. It states I have to many files so I should choose which folders to select. I do so by choosing one of my smallest filesize folders to test it out and confirm my choice.

3. I get the "We are happy you are back" with "Setup finished" and "Advanced Settings".

4. I get an error message asking if I want to "Merge" the new dropbox instance with my old one. I confirm and click "Merge". Then the next error appears asking if I want to "rename". I confirm again. The final error message appears where the process is then stuck, saying "Couldn't rename or make room for your Dropbox folder".

Walter

Did you try selecting the 'Advanced settings' instead @Kismuntr?

If you did and still have issues with this, let us know and we'll take it from there.

Kismuntr

Thank you @Walter
Yes, I did try selecting the "Advanced settings". This is where I checked that I selected the parent folder. The screenshots are from this process.

Walter

I see, thanks for clarifying that for me @Kismuntr - I've just sent you an email to investigate further, so please take a look at your inbox and we'll take it from there.