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Forum Discussion
Dropbox no longer syncs automatically on my Windows 7 computers
Sorry if I'm posting this in the wrong board.
This problem just started today. I have had a free dropbox account for a number of years. I'm very happy with dropbox. However, starting yesterday ...
Problem resolved? Let me restate the problem:
After replying to Hannah's question about the information shown when hovering over the dropbox icon, I brought up a file from my local dropbox files, stored locally on my Windows 7 computer. I made an edit on that local file, then hit the Save button, and exited the file. Then I logged into my dropbox account online, went to the file which I had edited locally, and saw that the file had been appropriately updated.
So, it looks like dropbox has been actually syncing Ok.
Apparently, for some (Windows) reason, the icon in the taskbar was not bringing up the list of my local dropbox files. I then created a new desktop icon for dropbox, and that worked fine. I then deleted the non-working taskbar icon.
So I think now all is good (fingers crossed). Many thanks to Hannah and to all the Dropbox community for pitching in and helping me with my perceived (non)problem. I see now I was just misunderstanding the problem, which was actually a Windows problem
Best wishes to all!!
Hi Nancy! Thank you for replying. In both computers Dropbox is set to start up power up. When I left click on the DB icon in my taskbar I just see the "wait circle" going for maybe 5 -10 seconds, but then nothing happens.
Hi Nancy! I'm kind of panicking here, thus my somewhat garbled replies. Let me try and clarify.
In msconfig I see that Dropbox is set to start up on system startup (checkmark is present in the checkbox). I have the DB ico in my taskbar. when I left-click the DB icon I see the "wait circle" spinning for 5-10 seconds. Then the desktop should open, but nothing happens.
When log into my Dropbox online, I see that the most recent changes I made to a couple of my files do not appear in the online files. The changes are only updated locally in my local DB folder. In msconfig under General/Startup Selection I have Normal Startup "Load all device drivers and services". In msconfig Startup tab Dropbox is also set to start up (checkbox checked) at system startup
Needless to say, any help/suggestions you can provide would be Most Appreciated.
Thank you so much!
Also, in answer to your question, my Dropbox in the taskbar stays steady on, does not randomly disappear.
- Hannah
Dropbox Staff
Hi from me as well, stephenroberts999!
If you simply hover over the Dropbox icon in your system tray, what's the sync status and version of the app there?
Do you see any error messages?
Hi Hannah!
Thanks for responding. In answer to your question, when I hover over the DB icon in the taskbar I just get the little indicator saying [Dropbox]. Nothing else. Nothing regarding sync status or app version.
And, speaking of app version, I started with DB back in ~2014. I don't recall ever actively updating the app, unless DB auto-updates as a background process. Do you think the behavior I'm seeing could be related to using an old un-updated version? Should I update or reinstall the app? If so, what is the best way to correctly do that in my situation?
I just think it's odd that both instances of Dropbox on my two computers (PC, Windows 7) Dropbox have stopped running/syncing/connecting in the same way at the same time, despite the computers being in different locations (home, work) and on different connectivity (different networks, different ISPs, etc ). My DB files are no longer getting updated when I go to look at them online on the DB website. It's as though syncing/communicating has gotten turned off on my Dropbox account.
Thanks again for your response. I would greatly appreciate any comments/suggestions you may have.
Best,
-Steve
Before I charge off and do a delete/reinstall on dropbox, I'd like to air my basic concern (again). The error I am experiencing happened at the same time on two separate Windows 7 computers. One computer is located at my home, the other is located at work. They are on two totally separate networks, separate connectivity, etc. Each computer has the same installation of Dropbox.
Since the same error occurred at the same time on both computers, it makes me think something (the same thing) happened to the Dropbox on both computers basically at the same time. What could account for this? I'm thinking maybe something happened to my Dropbox account at Dropbox which affected both instances of Dropbox on both my computers. Like maybe a disable switch got set on my account at Dropbox. I don't mean this is literally what happened, but I'm thinking what could account for the behavior I'm seeing simultaneously on two separate computers ???
For what it's worth, on both computers the Dropbox folders and files all show the green circle with white checkmarks. No error indicators. It simply seems like my Dropbox access is shut off.
All comments much appreciated!! Thanks!
- Jay
Hi stephenroberts999, could you clarify what is the exact version of Windows 7 you're running on both devices?
Do you have any proxy, VPN, firewall, security software, or even ISP/router settings that could be restricting traffic to the following Dropbox domains?
