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Glen11's avatar
Glen11
Explorer | Level 3
3 years ago

Sync issues while on wifi

Hi everyone I have dropbox not wanting to sync while connected to the wifi, if I swap to mobile data then dropbox syncs. Also same applies if I attempt to connect to any of the Dropbox websites or on wifi it is blocked but using mobile date and hotspot then I can access the websites, have tried numerous browsers and other site and don’t have the same issues. Dropbox support had a look and suggest the isp is blocking , this doesn’t appear to be the case
As a coincidence I have a square terminal that has started to play up as well and is connected to wifi but when attempting anything won’t connect
No other issues seem to be present and any suggestions would be great appreciated
TIA Glen

  • Hi Glen11, and thanks for posting this on our forum!

     

    After reading your message, it really sounds like the specific network/WiFi you’re connected to is blocking Dropbox for some reason. 

     

    Just like our support team suggested, I’d also recommend contacting your ISP, in order to check this. If this wasn’t related to your WiFi, then the issue would persist no matter the network you’re connected to. 

     

    I hope this clarifies things a bit.

  • Nancy's avatar
    Nancy
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

    Hi Glen11, and thanks for posting this on our forum!

     

    After reading your message, it really sounds like the specific network/WiFi you’re connected to is blocking Dropbox for some reason. 

     

    Just like our support team suggested, I’d also recommend contacting your ISP, in order to check this. If this wasn’t related to your WiFi, then the issue would persist no matter the network you’re connected to. 

     

    I hope this clarifies things a bit.

  • lockedbag's avatar
    lockedbag
    Explorer | Level 3

    WOW - Finally someone who is experiencing the same issue. 

     

    In my case it started happening about 3-4 weeks ago. I would connect to my Mobile device using it's hotspot - can access Outlook, Microsoft, local newspapers, ZOOM, the works... but for some reason can no longer sync DROPBOX, also can't seem to even go to  DROPBOX web portals - i.e. check on the version history of files.

     

    So I thought it was my Mobile....it was old.. remember it had been working for months previously using DROPBOX. 

    I'll Add I have files stored locally on my PC and use DROPBOX via Explorer.

     

    Got a brand new Mobile - my original one was a SAMSUNG, so my new one is also a SAMSUNG A22 but now its got 5G capability. 

     

    Still no luck, can do everything else on my PC but DROPBOX is a no no... it's like there is some sort of firewall.

     

    I tried something else... I put my SIM into an iPhone - fired up the hotspot - and presto 190 odd files I had been working on over the course of a few days sync'd. I could also see DROPBOX domain websites and use the WEB PORTAL DROPBOX explorer.

     

    I called my network provider - they confirmed the settings had no limitations....  tried the SAMSUNG people, they blamed the DROPBOX app... so couldn't help.

     

    So to recap.. I can SYNC and view DROPBOX web stuff if I put my SIM card in an iPhone and use the iPhone hotspot...but cannot do anything related to DROPBOX if I have my SIM card in my SAMSUNG device.... 

     

    and since the SAMSUNG is my designated mobile I use, I'd love it if someone could tell me what has happened recently to the security protocols that is causing conflict using the broadband on my phone and how i can fix it.

     

    Thanks, in advance

     

    MOBILE NETWORK - Vodafone NZ.

     

    • Jay's avatar
      Jay
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

      Hi lockedbag, thanks for the message.

       

      Do you have any proxy, VPN, firewall, or security software could be restricting traffic to the following Dropbox domains?
       

      Is this a company-managed device by any chance, or is it a personal phone from factory settings?

      • lockedbag's avatar
        lockedbag
        Explorer | Level 3

        Hi, thanks for these questions....

         

        It is not a company managed mobile device.

         

        There is no proxy,VPN,etc that I am aware of.

         

        My Laptop connects tot he internet various ways. 1, through Mobile hotspots, 2, through home WIFI, 3, through Work WIFI

        1 -I can put my SIM card in my colleagues mobile ( iPhone 😎 and can do anything with DROPBOX

        1 - I can put my SIM card in my brand new mobile ( Samsung A22) and no access to DROPBOX

        1 - I can put my SIM card in my old mobile ( Samsung J6) and no access to DROPBOX

        1 - I can access my friends HUAWEI and can do anything with DROPBOX

        2 - My Laptop using my home WIFI ( Vodafone fibre router) has no problems accessing DROPBOX

        3 - My Latptop using the work WIFI has no problems accessing DROPBOX ( by the way the office WIFI is off a Vodafone HUAWEI Wireless broadband (mobile network) modem)

         

        Bottom line, when my laptop uses the SAMSUNG hotspot WIFI,  dropbox is no longer accessible.  

        I tried to get SAMSUNG to help - they pointed to DROPBOX....

         

        Hope that helps!  🙂

         

         

         

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

    It definitely seems to be affecting the phone provider directly, so for some reason it isn't working on Samsung devices, or perhaps the method in which it creates hotspots, which is preventing access to Dropbox. 

     

    As to what the issue might be, it wouldn't be possible to find out from our end, as it does seem to be device specific. 

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