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Forum Discussion

Jess1234's avatar
Jess1234
New member | Level 2
10 months ago

'Syncing is paused while a file in this folder is open. close the program using this file', why?

Hello, I have added dropbox to my desktop but it keeps coming up with 'Sync issues', when I clock on the issue it says 'Syncing is paused while a file in this folder is open. close the program using this file.' However, I don't have anything open. I have restarted my laptop, uninstalled and reinstalled the app, logged out and back in and nothing is working. It is currently on 119 issues and rising so im unable to use half to he drop box on the app which is so much easier than using it online. Can someone help please?

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

    Hi Jess1234, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

     

    It sounds like there is still a program open that is keeping the Dropbox app from syncing. Could you first try quitting the Dropbox desktop application, and then all open apps on your computer.

     

    Once every app in the background and menu bar/system tray has been quit, then try re-opening the Dropbox desktop application again.

     

    Keep me posted!

    • Valeri1111's avatar
      Valeri1111
      Explorer | Level 4

      I have the same issue with multiple users. I have completed those troubleshooting steps but the issue is still presenting. Please advise.

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

        Hi Valeri1111, thanks for the info. as you've already tried the previous steps, I'd recommend contacting our support team directly for them to investigate in more detail.

    • amcsi's avatar
      amcsi
      Explorer | Level 4

      I am also getting this same issue, though I haven't tried reinstalling yet. Though by the sounds of it, it's not worth trying :S

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

        Thanks for letting us know about this, amcsi, and sorry to see that you're having this issue.

         

        Can you let us know if you've tried the troubleshooting steps in this thread?

         

        Does restarting the computer and the Dropbox app help at all?

  • srikanth44's avatar
    srikanth44
    New member | Level 2

    "unable to sync while the file is in use. close the file to resume syncing"

    I have this error in Dropbox, all files are closed and not in use I'm still getting this issue

     

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

      Hi srikanth44, let's see what we can find together on this!

       

      It sounds like there is still a program open that is keeping the Dropbox app from syncing. Could you first try quitting the Dropbox desktop application, and then all open apps on your computer?

       

      Once every app in the background and menu bar/system tray has been quit, then try re-opening the Dropbox desktop application again.

       

      Keep me posted!

      • Front D.2's avatar
        Front D.2
        Helpful | Level 7

        I'm randomly getting this error on files. They are not open. I save the file out from my render program as usual. In the end, I just opened it in Photoshop and saved it as a Jpeg, which immediately synced. Meanwhile, the PNG is still stuck. The last time this happened, it just went through within an hour or so without my intervention. I have saved dozens of files in exactly the same way today with no issues. I tried opening the PNG in Photoshop and saving it over itself, and that also synced right away. Neither of these things would seem likely to me if the file was genuinely in use by an app. But it aslo makes no sense that it would randomly be in use. 

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