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Forum Discussion

LP_DB's avatar
LP_DB
Helpful | Level 5
7 years ago

Why is Dropbox Browser so slow?

I use the browser version of Dropbox exclusively, and am baffled as to why the speeds are so painfully slow. 

 

We have gigabit internet at our studio, and while very other browser-based activity, download or upload can utilise the full bandwidth (commonly seeing 80MBp/s down and upload - on wetransfer for example). Dropbox, however, will typically never go beyond 6MBp/s either way. And opening new browser windows for each file upload is tedious. 

 

We're paying for a business service here, and I dont see why the featurset of the browser version should be so neutered. 

 

If there's some sort of setting that's been overlooked I'd love to know.

 

Thanks

A

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    Hi there, which browser are you using? 
     
    Have you tried using a different browser to see if this helps? 
     
    Other things we recommend to test is to use incognito/private browsing mode without any extensions running, clearing your cache and even resetting your browser entirely. 
     
    Lastly, there is a possibility that a proxy, VPN, firewall, security software, or even ISP/router issues that could be restricting traffic to the following Dropbox domains.
     
    Let us know how it goes!
    • LP_DB's avatar
      LP_DB
      Helpful | Level 5

      Hi Jay,

       

      This is an issue that persists accross various browsers, ISPs and operating systems. 

       

      I generally run Safari, but have tried on chrome and firefox, on a widows workstation, and on various other macs in the studio and in other locations with different ISPs. 

       

      All of them are locked to a pretty constant 6MBps up or download speed in the browser version of dropbox. 

       

      This isnt a connection issue either, as a couple of the machines are connected to the router via cat 6 ethernet and regularly achieve 80MBps up and download speeds on other sites and services. 

       

      I doubt that the ISPs would be restricting only the dropbox domains- espeecially as Hyperoptic (one of my ISPs) advertise as a business service.

      • Jay's avatar
        Jay
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        It’s worth asking them if there’s any restriction, or what speeds they on their end, since there are instances when Dropbox domains are specifically limited for these reasons.

        We have dealt with cases where Dropbox domains were either completely blocked intentionally, accidentally, or purposely had their speed reduced, and it was ISP-based.
  • puananiila99's avatar
    puananiila99
    New member | Level 2

    Here are some common reasons: The bandwidth of Dropbox is limited. To avoid affecting the network connection, Dropbox limits its speed by default when uploading files: compared to the original speed, the upload speed here is at around 75%. Problems in the network connection.

    • Sae_'s avatar
      Sae_
      New member | Level 2

      So this sounds like it is by design, in which case we should have the ability to allow it to use all the bandwidth while we get something done. I appreciate the attempt at keeping overall experience good, but then (1) say you are doing so and (2) allow the defeat of this feature, at least within limits.  I would gladly tick a "please use all my bandwidth" box overnight to download or upload some more massive data sets.

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