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Forum Discussion

7KW's avatar
7KW
Helpful | Level 6
5 years ago

Why is storage space full?

It is very frustrating to not find a contact email anywhere for free Dropbox users to get a definite answer to resolve an issue. I read similar postings on the forum similar to my question, but none were helpful on what to do.

 

Seven months ago I downgraded my account instead of deleting it, because I have not used Dropbox for a little over a year. And I am not using it now-I don't need to. The five folders I have in the account are empty except for one shared folder that has a file of 24.2 MB. The email I received from Dropbox said if I use more than 5.75 GB, I would not be able to add new files to Dropbox after the downgrade. Ok, fine.

 

Now I'm being told that I need to upgrade because my account is full–6.06 GB of overage. How can that be? I don't use Dropbox. I only have one shared folder that gets used only once a year–currently using only 24.2 MB, not gigabytes. Where are the 6.06 GB coming from? I have followed all the different instructions I have found to check for the overage, but have found nothing.

 

In regard to support, I think Dropbox should have an email available for everyone whether free or paid. Free support just waits longer.  Paid support gets to wait for a shorter time – something like 1-2 days or whatever the business decides. Other businesses do it! They take care of their customers. It's part of good business practice.  --  Thank you to anyone who can help. Take care!

  • Hello Jay and SenaT

     

    I went ahead and calculated the size of the folders. I learned something new–thanks. I did find other folders that were not visible to me. I deleted all except for a total of four folders. One shared folder shows 24.MB and the others are 0 empty, as the calculated numbers showed.

     

    I feel good about this cleanup. Maybe this is it. If I receive more emails regarding the quota saying is full, I will be back for more help. Thank you both for your replies. I appreciate it. Let's hope this is the end of this problem. 

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

    Hi there 7KW; thanks for using Dropbox and welcome to our Community!

     

    Could you please let me know what is your account's plan tab reporting regarding your quota?

     

    Thanks! 

    • 7KW's avatar
      7KW
      Helpful | Level 6

      Hi - The plan tab says I have regular files of 6.06 GB. How can that be when I have empty folders. Where are those files?

      Thanks for your help.

       

      p.s. I hope someone sends an email when there is a reply to my post. I did not receive an email to the first reply.

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

        Hey 7KW, you can set to receive notifications from threads you're mentioned in and boards you're subscribed to from your Dropbox Community settings. 

         

        You can change them from your Dropbox Community settings, under Notification Settings in Subscriptions & Notifications. 

         

        As for your account's storage, could you let us what sort of content occupies majority of your space according to the Plan tab? Is it personal or shared content? 

         

        If you're not too sure, you can always just send us a screenshot of it, so that we have a better visual of it as well. 

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

    So if you take a look at your account on the website, you can only see this shared folder 7KW?

     

    Could it be that there's a 3rd party app connected and backing up to your account somehow? 

    • 7KW's avatar
      7KW
      Helpful | Level 6

      I disconnected all 3rd party apps as Walter made me aware of them. The account still shows full. What else is there to do?

       

      Thanks.

      • Rich's avatar
        Rich
        Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II

        7KW wrote:

        I disconnected all 3rd party apps as Walter made me aware of them. The account still shows full. What else is there to do?


        If your Plan page is showing that you're using 6GB, then there's 6GB of data in your account. Have you browsed the folders on the Dropbox website? There has to be something there.

  • SenaT's avatar
    SenaT
    Explorer | Level 3

    I received an email that I had exceeded my quota for my free account but I have only used 363MB out of the 2 GB allowance.

     

    "You continue to be over your Dropbox storage quota. To add new files or continue auto-syncing, you must upgrade to Plus."

     

    What is going on?

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

      Hey there SenaT, could it be that the email address you received the notification in, is not the same as the Dropbox account you're looking at?

       

      You can check which email your Dropbox account is connected to by going to the General tab

       

      Have a look and let me know what you find. Cheers!

  • SenaT's avatar
    SenaT
    Explorer | Level 3

    I have a similar issue. I have only used 363 MB of a basic account (2GB) and I received an email from Dropbox that I have exceeded my quota and have to upgrade. WTH? Is Dropbox confused between MB and GB?!?!

     

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

      Hi 7KW, it sounds like you have more data on your account than you're aware of. Have you tried calculating the size of folders on your account to ensure that there isn't a single folder or file which is taking up a lot of data?

       

      SenaT, were you added to a shared folder which contained a lot of data back then? Are you still experiencing this issue on your account regarding the quota, and have you received any emails since then?

      • 7KW's avatar
        7KW
        Helpful | Level 6

        Hello Jay and SenaT

         

        I went ahead and calculated the size of the folders. I learned something new–thanks. I did find other folders that were not visible to me. I deleted all except for a total of four folders. One shared folder shows 24.MB and the others are 0 empty, as the calculated numbers showed.

         

        I feel good about this cleanup. Maybe this is it. If I receive more emails regarding the quota saying is full, I will be back for more help. Thank you both for your replies. I appreciate it. Let's hope this is the end of this problem. 

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