Unable to Sync Files after enabling, Dropbox Backup

[lrhoear]

I used Dropbox to sync my files across multiple devices. A couple of days ago, I got a prompt to backup my files through dropbox backup and I clicked "yes." It converted all of my synced files to be files that were backed up instead. When I realized my error, I tried to reverse it, but now the only option when I right click files on my computer is "Back up to Dropbox..." I no longer have the option to "Sync to Dropbox." When I try to drag files into dropbox, it either creates a shortcut or moves the files from my computer to dropbox. How do I get my files to sync again?

I tried multiple things including deleting my original dropbox account and creating a new one. Even with a new account, there is no option to sync my files.

[Ravip · Accepted solution]

I had this same issue. Messed up my sync on all my root folders that was syncing perfectly before. Its frustrating. I talked to customer support and all they could say is there is no way to revert back due to opting into the new Backups feature. Even if I tried to delete and reinstall Dropbox from scratch.

[Jay]

Hi @lrhoear, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

The Dropbox Backup feature is a separate feature with the normal Dropbox service, so it should still be possible to sync files in the Dropbox folder. 

Please could you clarify what happens after you deleted your original account and installed the Dropbox desktop application?

@Ravip, you can delete the Dropbox Backup on your account if you wish by following these steps.

Keep me posted!

[lrhoear]

It acts in the same way I described above after I deleted my account and signed up again. There is no option when I right-click to sync a file or folder to dropbox, only an option to backup. Before I deleted my account, I deleted my backup. That was the first thing I did. Then I tried to save my synced files from dropbox trash, but it only recovered some and they were no longer synced to my original computer. Luckily, they had not been deleted from my original computer. But syncing my files was literally the only thing I used dropbox for, and dropbox is useless to me if I can't use it. I have been extremely disappointed with the level of customer service and the inadequacy of the help center.

[Jay]

Are you not able to drag the file or folder directly into your Dropbox folder instead of using the right click option?

Are you using a Mac or Windows device?

[lrhoear]

I use windows. When I drag my documents folder into my dropbox in the file explorer, it creates a shortcut, probably because my documents folder is too large for my 2GB dropbox account. When I drag a folder within my documents folder into my dropbox, it copies the folder and files into dropbox. It does not sync them to my original files on my computer. When my sync was working, my documents folder on my computer had a green check mark on it, and if I updated anything on a different computer, it updated it on my original computer. Now, when I drag a folder or file into my dropbox folder, it has a green checkmark in the dropbox folder, but if I change it elsewhere, it does not update the original file on my original computer. This is the functionality that is now missing and that I need.

[Jay]

In general, this feature is only available with the Dropbox Backup feature. It isn't possible to drag any folder into the Dropbox folder, and then edit the file outside the Dropbox folder.

You shouldn't be able to drag the Documents folder into the Dropbox folder, since it's a system folder. 

What happens when you attempt to enable the Dropbox Backup feature using these steps?

[lrhoear]

I don't want a dropbox backup. What I liked about how the sync was set up was that I could access all my files on my work computer, edit them, save new files, and then when I went back to my home computer all those changes were synced to my documents folder on my home computer. Dropbox received updates from any computer and pushed out updates to all computers. I don't need files that exist solely in the cloud and that only update from one computer.

[Jay]

Thanks for the info. It wouldn't be possible to do what you're asking with the Dropbox desktop application. 

If it worked that way previously, then it would be due to an unsupported method.