Dropbox provides a Desktop client that automatically synchronizes files stored on your computer’s hard disk to your Dropbox cloud account. The synchronization process might go bad, resulting in an error message.
The syncing might freeze for an extended period of time and might go on to meet a total failure too.
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Clear Temp Folder
During the synchronization process, some files are stored in a temporary directory. Corruption of Temp folder contents can interrupt this process.
- Press Windows Key + R.
- This opens up the Run dialog. Type C:\Users (assuming, your system drive is C:)
- Click OK.
- Now you will see File Explorer on your screen. Click the View tab, and check Hidden items.
- Navigate to the following location:
- …\USER_NAME\AppData\Local\Temp
- Delete all contents from the Temp folder. Do not delete the folder itself.
Fix Temp Folder Permissions
When Dropbox’s desktop client fails to access contents from the Temp folder, it fails to synchronize your files. So you need to change that folder’s settings and equip Dropbox with adequate read, write & access permissions to get rid of the error.
- Open the Local subfolder in AppData directory.
- Right-click Temp and choose Properties.
- Click Security tab and then click on Edit.
- Check all the following boxes under the Allow column:
- Full control
- Modify
- Read & execute
- List folder contents
- Read
- Write
- Special permissions
- Click OK | OK.
Permission Denied by Server
The Dropbox server may have refused access to its app from your computer to access and synchronize data. Contact the Dropbox support team for more information.
Prevent Antivirus Conflicts
Sometimes Dropbox’s sync process gets stuck for a prolonged period due to conflicts with ESET NOD32, McAfee VirusScan Enterprise or any other antivirus. Cancel the sync process and pause your security software using its icon in the Notification Area. Now start Dropbox synchronization again. This might fix your problem.
Exclude Dropbox from DEP
Make sure the Data Execution Prevention, a security feature in Windows, doesn’t interrupt the sync process. Add the program files to the whitelist.
- Press Windows Key + R.
- Type the following command and then press ENTER:
- %windir%\system32\SystemPropertiesPerformance.exe
- Click the Data Execution Prevention tab, and then choose Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select.
- Click Add.
- Locate and add the Dropbox program files. The program may be installed in C:\Program Files (x86)\Dropbox or C:\Program Files\Dropbox.
- Click OK.
Use Dropbox Bad Files Checker
If you’re encountering this error while attempting to sync certain files, use the official Dropbox Bad Files Checker utility. It ensures your files are synced with ease and there are no technical issues during the sync process.
Download Dropbox Bad Files Checker utility from the official website:
https://www.dropbox.com/bad_files_check
Verify Maximum File Character Length Issues
Microsoft Windows has set a maximum 260 character limit for file and folder names. The synchronization process fails whenever Windows tries to access and sync files stored on Dropbox that have surpassed this limit. The only way out of this is to shorten the filename so that it is within the permissible character limit.
Verify Unsupported File Name Characters
Windows does not support file/ folder names with the following characters.
\ / : * ? ” < > |
The Dropbox sync process fails when a file stored on the cloud contains any of these unsupported characters.
Metadata Conflicts
Metadata is the information relating to extended attributes, file attributes and permissions attached to certain files. Some drives formatted with the FAT32 file system, especially the portable devices like USB sticks, may not support Metadata and result into metadata conflicts during the sync process. This problem arises when you use a drive formatted with the FAT32 file system. Try syncing data between the local NTFS drive and Dropbox. This might prove helpful.
Warning: Do not reformat the concerning drive with the system. You’ll permanently lose the entire data stored on that drive. Also, as the action cannot be undone, the data will be irrecoverable.
Change Bandwidth Usage Settings
Dropbox doesn’t interferes with your normal Internet usage unless required to do so. It uses a specific bandwidth to smoothly synchronize your files, according to its requirements. However, sometimes the syncing might be interrupted as Dropbox fails to make good use of 75% of your internet connection’s upload speed. In such a scenario, changing the bandwidth usage settings might fix the problem.
- Click the Dropbox icon in system tray.
- Click the Gear icon, choose Preferences to open up the application settings.
- Click Bandwidth.
- Use the radio button under the Download Rate or Upload Rate section next to Limit to object. Specify the rates in Kilobytes (KB) only depending on your Internet connection’s upload speed. Contact your Internet Service Provider for more information about your current plan, upload speed and other information.
Alternatively, you can use the radio button next to Don’t Limit to optimize the fastest upload rate.
Reset Network & Reestablish Network Connection
Your computer may have experienced Internet connectivity issues during the synchronization activity. Disconnect your Wifi connection and switch off the laptop. Turn it on again after a minute or so. Log-in to your Router Configuration page and then reset the configurations to their default from the Settings page.