Child Item

Files fail to appear immediately after saving to my computer (Mac OS 15.6.1)

Device

M1 MacBook Pro
Operating System/Browser (if using the web)

Sequoia 15.6.1
Dropbox App Version (if using the app)

235.4.5905
Dropbox Plan

Dropbox Advanced

Question or Issue

As far as I'm aware, it used to be that I would save a file to my Dropbox folder (on my Mac) & it would appear there immediately & then go on to sync with the cloud in the background. Now it seems that when I save a file & it's nowhere to be seen until, presumably, it's saved to the cloud & then syncs back to my desktop.

This is causing me a ton of issues, as I'm routinely working on huge files (10-15gb in size) & I need to be doing stuff with the files I've saved, not waiting ages for them to arrive. It doesn't help that my internet is very poor, but that's fine if it's doing the syncing in the background while I get on with my work. I now have to wait two hours for a couple of files to sync before I can do anything else!

This is not a sensible way of doing business.

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Comments

Walter

Hi @Snowdog63 - thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Just to make sure we're on the same page, can you let me know when you first noticed this happen? Is it only affecting large files or smaller ones as well?

How exactly are you working on those files and are you giving enough time to the Dropbox desktop app to sync your changes?

I know you must have already done some basic troubleshooting, but does rebooting your computer and internet router help improve matters at all?

Let us know more and we'll take it from there.

Snowdog63

Thanks. The first time I noticed it was when I would save a relatively small file into Dropbox. (the designated folder on my desktop, that is.) I would then go to place the resulting file into Illustrator & it just wasn't there for a short while.

I haven't been fully able to troubleshoot it yet, as I'm quite busy, but I just thought I'd ask if this was a known thing/change/bug in Dropbox before I pressed on with my observations.

If it's not something you've knowingly done, then I will come back with more info.

"How exactly are you working on those files and are you giving enough time to the Dropbox desktop app to sync your changes?"

I suppose my point is that once the file is saved, it should (& I'm sure it used to) just be there immediately. I can understand that if someone on another machine was waiting for it, they have to wait for it to sync, but I'm talking about saving a file to my desktop & then having to wait for it to arrive on the same machine, before I can crack on.

Walter

I'm not aware of similar reports lately, so I'd recommend a simple reinstall of the app and keep us posted if this keeps happening.

Whenever you get the chance, please give it a go and let us know how it goes.

Snowdog63

Thanks. Will do.

Snowdog63

Also, I notice that the thread title has been changed to something more informative but it's not really slow syncing. I always have slow syncing becaase my internet is rubbish. It's the failure of files to appear immediately after saving to my computer (before they then go on to sync in the background) that's the issue.

When I go to Illustrator to place a file, it's either not showing or is there but is greyed out for a while.

My assumption is that this is a Dropbox related issue but it may not be.

Walter

I see, thanks for the clarifications @Snowdog63 - I've just amended the thread title to reflect the actual issue you mentioned.

Could you maybe forward us a screenshot of how this looks on your end along with the app's status as shown in your menu bar?

Snowdog63

Hi @Walter

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I've attached a screenshot showing what I'm seeing. Here I've saved a PSD locally in my Dropbox area & also saved a TIF. When I go to place the TIF in Illustrator, I can see that the PSD is greyed out.

The PSD has completely saved on my desktop & is now in the process of syncing with the cloud. I can see no good reason why it should be greyed out. What if I wanted to place the PSD in Illstrator & not the TIF? I'd be waiting a long time.

Megan

Hey @Snowdog63, thanks for the screenshot!

Essentially when you add a file inside your Dropbox folder it still exists there, it's with Illustrator that you can't see it.

I'm wondering if this happens since the file is still syncing on Dropbox's end. When the file finally syncs are you able to open it with Illustrator?

If that's the case, then the poor internet that you mentioned could be the culprit here.

Snowdog63

Yes, once it syncs, it's fine.

Megan

Hi @Snowdog63, wishing you a happy Monday!

Essentially this sounds expected since the file still isn't fully synced inside your Dropbox folder.

However, since you're able to see it in Dropbox, then it might be wise to check with Illustrator again about this.

If you need something else, please let me know and I will be more than happy to help every step of the way.