Child Item

Cannot sync due to permissions on macOS Sonoma

Device
Mac Mini M2Operating System/Browser (if using the web)
MacOS Sonoma 14.3.1
Dropbox App Version (if using the app)
242.4.5815
Syncing Status
Files are unable to Sync

Question or Issue
Files won't sync on Mac OS. I have tried this on windows PC on the same network, and it works fine. I think this is a MacOS Bug with multiple versions of MacOS and dropbox that needs to be fixed.

As you can see, has full disk access and no firewall issues, but won't sync. I have tried to "fix Hardlinks, etc". Fixing hardlinks only resolves it temporarily - when more files arrive in the folder, the issue persists. My dropbox storage is not full, neither is my computer. I have seen other troubleshooting steps to move images out then back in, but that is not a solution to me. Quitting, then relaunching does not solve.

Dropbox Folder location:

/Users/andrewwevers/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox

I have tried a reinstall as well.

I have done this

https://www.dropboxforum.com/discussions/101001014/syncing-problem-on-sonoma-14-1/733803

and this

https://www.dropboxforum.com/discussions/101001014/my-desktop-app-is-stuck-at-syncing-and-i-need-help-with-the-buttons-to-fix-hardl/405492#M34944

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Accepted answers

andrewwevers

Hey Everyone -

Dropbox reached out via email and this was the solution they gave me that solved my issue. Posting here for visibility as I know this is a common MacOS problem at the moment.

1) Stop the Dropbox desktop application (if needed)

Click on the Dropbox icon.
Choose Quit/Stop/Exit

2) Open your Terminal app (Located at /Applications/Utilities/Terminal)

3) Copy and paste the following lines into the Terminal, one at a time, and press RETURN after each one. PLEASE make sure you copy and paste these commands (don't type them by hand), as getting them wrong could cause some harm. You'll be prompted for your computer user's password (not your Dropbox password) after entering the first command. Keep in mind that the password field in the terminal will remain blank as you type your password. After you type it, just press ENTER. You'll know that these instructions complete normally once the initial line of text (called prompt) comes up again:

sudo chflags -R nouchg ~/Dropbox ~/.dropbox

sudo chown "$USER" "$HOME"

sudo chown -R "$USER" ~/Dropbox ~/.dropbox

sudo chmod -RN ~/.dropbox ~/Dropbox

chmod -R u+rw ~/Dropbox ~/.dropbox

Please note that once the prompt displays, the instruction completed the requested task, and is ready for the next command. If the command returns an error, or does not respond after an hour, you may want to try restarting your computer and try these steps again.

If you have any questions before you do this, or if you see an error after running one of these commands, please let us know!

4) Restart Dropbox from Applications

All comments

Megan

Hey there, @andrewwevers, welcome to our Community!

You mentioned that you've tried fixing your hardlinks. However, I'd like to clarify if you've also tried fixing the app's permissions as described here.

What happens when you choose "Open permissions" below the file's name as shown on your screenshots?

One more thing, I'd like for you to close out any third party applications and cloud storage applications that might be utilizing the files trying to sync to your Dropbox folder. Learn how to disable iCloud, Google Drive, and OneDrive.

One last thing that might sound trivial is to sign out of the app, and then back in as described here.

Can you try these troubleshooting steps and let me know if you notice any difference? Keep me posted!

andrewwevers

Hey @Megan , I have done all of those steps as mentioned in my original post. I have troubleshot this extensively throughout the past month. I am not utilizing any other third party sync applications. I have signed in and out.

Here is what it looks like when you choose open permissions. I also have this screenshot in my original post of what happens after I enter the password for the account.

I have fixed permissions, but it still happens.

Hannah

Hi from me as well, @andrewwevers.

Thanks for the update and the additional info.

Have you noticed that this is happening with particular types of files? Or is it happening with any file?

Also, is it happening with files you add to the Dropbox folder on this computer, or files added from other computers that are trying to sync to this one?

Lastly, what exactly is the message you see when simply hovering over the Dropbox icon in your menu bar (without clicking on it)?

andrewwevers

Hey @Hannah ,

Happening with any files, I am specifically using JPGs. It is happening when I add to the Dropbox folder on this specific computer. This is what it looks like when I hover over the dropbox Icon in my menu bar.

Megan

Hi @andrewwevers, no worries!

I'm just going to go ahead and reach out via email, in order for us to investigate further.

Reply back to me, and we'll take it from there! Thank you.

andrewwevers

Hey Everyone -

Dropbox reached out via email and this was the solution they gave me that solved my issue. Posting here for visibility as I know this is a common MacOS problem at the moment.

1) Stop the Dropbox desktop application (if needed)

Click on the Dropbox icon.
Choose Quit/Stop/Exit