You might see that the Dropbox Community team have been busy working on some major updates to the Community itself! So, here is some info on what’s changed, what’s staying the same and what you can expect from the Dropbox Community overall.

Forum Discussion

x3inspire's avatar
x3inspire
Helpful | Level 5
7 years ago

Why is my Dropbox upload speed so slow?

Hello guys, does anyone facing problem with slow uploading to Dropbox?   I'm using 1Gbps connection uploading speed max around 3Mb/s, compared with Google Drive with my connection up to 80Mb/s. ...
Sync
upload
  • Jane's avatar
    Jane
    7 years ago
    Hey x3inspire, thanks for reaching out for assistance on the Dropbox Community in regards to your uploading issue, I hope you’re doing well today! 
     
    Firstly, I’d like to thank you for all your cooperation & prompt replies here, let me follow-up from where you’ve left off previously. 
     
    In order to make sure I understand correctly, can you please clarify if you’re uploading your files using the web interface or the desktop Dropbox application? Based on your screenshot, it’s my understanding that you’re using the website to get your files online, therefore I’d like to ask you if you’re getting better results on the client. Could you elaborate on how this option has worked for you? 
     
    Based on your description, you may want to avoid using your desktop to sync your files online, as the default setting could be "Available locally". Please note that you may change this, following the steps outlined below: 
     
    1. Click the Dropbox icon from the menu bar.
    2. Click the :gear: icon and select Preferences... from the menu.
    3. Click Sync :arrows_counterclockwise:.
    4. Choose your work Dropbox account.
    5. Change the selection for Smart Sync Default to the last option: 
      • Admin default: the default setting chosen by your team admin.
      • Local: all new content downloads to your computer.
      • Online-only: manually download files to your computer when you need them.
    Following, I’ve made sure to run a search on our system on my end & I’ve located your open ticket. In order to expedite matters, I’ve raised your support priority internally & I’ve notified my colleague handling the case on your comments, so as to find a viable solution together. 
     
    They’ll get back in touch with you on this discussion & rest assured that they’ll do their best to help you over. 
      
    I hope that this is helpful to you. Please let me know on how you’d like us to proceed on this discussion & I’ll make sure to check back to you & help you on this matter in any way I can. Happy Monday! 


     

    [This thread is now closed. If you have a similar or new question, you can ask here]

x3inspire's avatar
x3inspire
Helpful | Level 5
So, because of "hash checks each file in 4mb blocks" upload speed limit to 4Mb/s?
Mark's avatar
Mark
Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
7 years ago

No, there is no limit. It just slows things down initially as there are overheads on checking each file.

I can quite easily upload movies of a few GB here in a couple of minutes, but, thats because everything else is already sync'd and so the overheads are low.

Have a look at https://help.dropbox.com/syncing-uploads/faster-sync

  • x3inspire's avatar
    x3inspire
    Helpful | Level 5
    7 years ago

    How you uploading the file?  Using Dropbox application?

     

    I tried uploading using Dropbox Apps, but when i paste the file on Dropbox folder the file not saved as online-only, it saved as local.  I need to right click for each new file and choose online-only.

    Update: uploading using Dropbox Apps also max around 4.5Mb/s :unamused:

    • alissa914's avatar
      alissa914
      Collaborator | Level 9
      7 years ago

      I was using my Synology NAS with the great Dropbox client in there.  It was getting 45MB/sec upstream (I have 840Mb/ upload speed with FIOS).... so that's 360Mb/sec.  It uploaded my 740GB collection in about 12 hours or so?  I didn't check how long it took but I set it up after getting annoyed that Amazon Drive lost 20 of my videos and paid to go back to Dropbox where I had 30 days file retention -- Amazon Drive completely lost the files and I couldn't get them back otherwise.  I set it up at 4am and when I checked around 4pm, it said it was already done.

       

      If there's a cap, it could be on your machine or at your ISP.  Maybe if you try uploading via Wifi it goes slower?  I wired my PC here with a Cat6 cable into a 7-port switch and then with one cable into the cable modem across the room.  Speeds are much faster than with any other provider I've used.

About Create, upload, and share

Find help to solve issues with creating, uploading, and sharing files and folders in Dropbox. Get support and advice from the Dropbox Community.

Need more support

If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X or Facebook.

For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.

If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!