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I get a 404 error message when using the downloader application.

This afternoon, I am suddenly getting Error (404) on every one of my files using the downloader application. This is only when accessing my files. Other links to external sites are not an issue. App cache cleared, device restarted. No change. This is the same issue I had approximately six months ago, which was mysteriously cleared up either by itself or the staff. I remain unclear on that.

Thank you

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Android

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Walter

Hey @MikePDX - sorry to hear you're having issues with this.

When you say the downloader application, can you clarify what you mean exactly? Are you referring to a 3rd party app or something else?

If you could also send us a screenshot of the exact error you're getting and clarify your device's OS, I'd appreciate it.

Thank you!

MikePDX

Downloader is a third-party Android application running on a variety of Android streaming devices. OS is FireOS 7 - (If you refer back, I had the same problem, and I believe it was somehow cleared up by staff, although it was not stated) Thank you.

MikePDX

The error occurs in fact when using any third-party Android browser application. As well as Chrome on a Mac. Downloading directly from my Dropbox account in a Mac browser is not an issue. Same as happened months ago.

Walter

Does this happen with all of your files, some or just a particular one @MikePDX?

Have you tried clearing the cache of the apps since you first noticed this?

As for the supported OS versions you can take a look here.

MikePDX

This happens to any link on that page that points to my Dropbox account. External links are not an issue, as the last time indicates it's an issue with Dropbox for external browsers. This has been functional for years; however has once again failed as it did about six months ago. It's a Dropbox issue with external browsers. [It's been an issue in the past, documented in this community.] These same browsers have no problem with files not reliant on Dropbox links. Thank you.

Megan

Hey @MikePDX!

I checked your previous post and it seems that we believed that this might be the underline issue.

If you visit our website and try to share an example file or folder, do you get any errors?

MikePDX

Thanks very much, Megan. Although you previously explained that ''access to your account was paused'' and it was cleared, this is not the case now, and the account or files are not actually being shared with anyone. The links are copied to a private blog post and are not shared with anyone. They are all in the "newer" format 'https://dl.dropbox.com.scl.fi......", and have functioned in this manner since your post about six months ago without me making any changes.

--- Mysteriously, things are working now!

And now five minutes later, they're not! - I give up. It's not me, it's you, I believe.

Megan

Hey @MikePDX!

You mentioned that the links are copied to a private blog post. Is it safe to assume that they are available to people who join this blog?

I'm asking because this could potentially trigger a temporary pause on sharing for your account. I understand that you don't want to share content with anyone, so there's no need to do so. However, could you try creating a shared link instead while using these steps? That will help me identify if this is a similar case to the one you faced before.

MikePDX

No one can access this page as it is not published. I find it odd that there have been repeated episodes such as this without me making a single change over the years, and how suddenly, after your earlier involvement, it worked. Then, five minutes later, it no longer works with me, making no changes whatsoever. Frankly, I'm wasting too much time using about 2 GB of a free account, while I can't afford a paid account, and I wonder if this would happen on a paid account. Unlikely. How does something work for years and then suddenly not? I can't deal with this any longer.

Hannah

I understand your frustration here, @MikePDX. We also need to understand what's causing this issue, so we're going to need some more info.

Can you clarify exactly what the Downloader app does and how you're using it with your Dropbox account?

Since this is not an official Dropbox integration, we'll need to know how you're using it.

Are you creating shared links to your Dropbox files, adding them to Downloader and then accessing your Dropbox files by downloading them through this app?

MikePDX

I might be a bit cynical, but when I've been doing things 'the Dropbox' way for years, and then suddenly (as in the past) it doesn't work. I can't believe it's me and that Dropbox hasn't caused the issue and/or changed the rules. > The Downloader app is an enormously popular Android browser, not unlike any other browser available. I copy (don't share) my DB links to a private unposted blog page that I can access privately from any device on my network. As mentioned, I use the https://dl.dropbox.com/...... format since it changed, and have done this using the DB account for years. Never a problem except for two obvious 'suspensions' for no apparent reason and then this last week. I don't know that's not an official integration as the change to .dl was documented, as was originally the changing of the file extension from 1 to 0. So, in this case, they are not technically "shared" links; they are direct links to my DB account using the properly copied file format. and worked for ages until last week. So, again, something changed at your end, not mine. This is somewhat the same thing that happened when the 'dl' came about, and no one knew. Thank you.

Hannah

Hey @MikePDX, I really appreciate your feedback here and the additional info.

I just want to clarify that if you're creating your Dropbox links by following the steps here, then those links are considered "shared links" whether you actually share them with other people or not.

If you're adding those links to Downloader and accessing/downloading your files from there, instead of accessing them natively from your Dropbox account, then it could be possible that you're creating traffic in your account, which could be resulting in the issue that you're facing.

If you need to access your Dropbox files from your mobile device even without being connected to the internet, a workaround could be to use the Dropbox mobile app and set your files to "available offline" to keep them "downloaded".

MikePDX

Once again, nothing I am doing has changed over the years. By definition, if I am "sharing," it's what I have always done in the same manner, and in looking at the traffic link, it's almost amusing in that -0- people have access to my account, and my files, which may be about 20 mb, in a year couldn't generate the amount of bandwidth described. In fact, for reference, in the week before I actually tried to access that page, it had been used 0 times, so no bandwidth whatsoever. If this is the new norm, something has changed for me, and DB is now of no value to me. Thanks for your response.

Jay

Hi @MikePDX, thanks for your message.

As a workaround, we'd recommend logging into your Dropbox account directly in your browser and downloading the file from there directly, instead of using a shared link to the same file, as this won't contribute to your daily bandwidth limit.

Alternatively, you can use the Dropbox mobile app while logged into your account to download the same files to your device.

MikePDX

There are numerous workarounds. I find what I have been doing successfully for years with no complaint from DB to be both convenient and attractive. What I fail to understand, however, is this sudden need for a workaround (it's not really a workaround; it's a direct methodology you're requesting) after years of it not being an issue. You could check my bandwidth and see that there is virtually no bandwidth use at all. It's minuscule. And it's unreasonable to call this "sharing". But, I guess free is free. I'm curious what my lifetime bandwidth use is. Oddly, I believe the daily limit is 20GB/day. I'm quite confident I haven't come close to that in a lifetime with this account. So there is no way this account was 'paused' once again for bandwidth limitation. I also find it odd that, briefly after a response from Megan, the links were working again. Then shut down. I guess free is free. Thanks anyway.

Megan

Hey @MikePDX!

Have you tried to contact Dropbox Support directly for this?

If you open an incognito or private window, where you aren't logged into any Dropbox account, you can submit a ticket via this support page. Once you've sent your request, feel free to send me the ticket number, in order for me to locate it on my end.

Having said all that, if you come across an issue, I'll be more than happy to reach out to you instead.

Let me know more!

MikePDX

I was not aware there was any support for a free account other than this community. Whenever I look for DB support, I am directed here.

Hannah

Hi again, Mike!

The steps Megan described, will allow someone to contact our support team, even if they're on a Basic account, but in any case, I just sent you an email so we can investigate your issue further.

See you there!