Child Item

Dropbox not auto starting Windows 11 after reinstall

Device Lenovo Idea Pad
Operating System/Browser (if using the web)
Windows 11

Question or Issue
Steps I've taken:
- restart Dropbox
- restart computer
- Preferences in Dropbox set to launch on startup
- Windows Startup Menu set to start Dropbox on Startup
- Uninstalled Dropbox
- Reinstalled Dropbox -- it's still trying to sync 8,000+ files after two days
- Dropbox still doesn't auto start on boot
- Read every post on DropBoxForum in the last five years that related to this issue
- Disabled CCleaner

I haven't found any information on how to check if firewall, anti-virus or anything else may be interfering. Any suggestions appreciated.

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Barbara E.2

Hello, Megan --

Thanks so much for replying. I did select and deselect the startup feature inside of Dropbox many, many times with and without restarts in between. I also turned on Dropbox in Windows Startup.
Version number 235.4.5905
Before I got your reply, I did an advanced reinstall twice. DB did not auto start, but when I started, it began to sync 7,000 to 8,000 files. I let it run for 8 or 10 hours both times with very little progress. Finally, I paused sync, and followed all the instructions in your link here: https://help.dropbox.com/installs/advanced-reinstall
This worked, and for the first time in weeks, DB started up on Windows boot. But sync was stuck for hours on particular folders/files, and seemed to be re-uploading the same ones multiple times -- although the 7,000-8,000 number never progressed. Unfortunately, I never discovered why it was doing this. I resorted to pausing sync and using Windows File Explorer to delete the three or four offending folders after checking that they were intact online. Restarted pc, and saw the coveted message from DB "All files are up-to-date".

So, the advanced reinstall worked eventually. Hope this helps others.

Thanks again, Megan!

All comments

Megan

Hey @Barbara E.2, let's jump right into this!

Can you try accessing your Dropbox preferences and changing the "Open Dropbox upon startup" in order to deselect and then select it again?

Also, would you mind clarifying the Dropbox version that you're using along with the app's syncing status? You can find this by hovering your mouse over the little Dropbox icon on your taskbar, next to your WiFi.

Lastly, if you're not on a Dropbox Basic plan with more than 3 devices connected, could you try an advanced reinstall of the app using the steps in this link?

Let me know more, and we'll take it from there!

Barbara E.2

Hello, Megan --

So, the advanced reinstall worked eventually. Hope this helps others.

Thanks again, Megan!

Walter

We're happy to hear it's sorted now and thanks for keeping us in the loop too, Barbara. This information will be very helpful for other users who may encounter the same issue.

Let us know if anything else comes up in the future!

Theresa

Hi there @Barbara E.2 , and welcome to the Dropbox Community 👋

I’m really glad to hear everything’s working again and thanks so much for taking the time to update us! It’s always great when things get sorted, especially after a reinstall on Windows 😊

By the way, I’m Theresa 👩‍💻, one of the Community Managers here at Dropbox HQ. Now that you’re back up and running, I’d love to know… what’s your favourite Dropbox feature? Whether it’s something simple or a hidden gem, I’m always curious what people enjoy most about the experience.

Looking forward to hearing more,

T 😺 (Dropbox Community Manager)