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Forum Discussion

kc1332's avatar
kc1332
Explorer | Level 3
4 years ago

Insane Slow Download Speeds

I have been dealing with insane slow download speeds for folders and files for the past few days. I have run internet speed tests which came back great. Dropbox app is up to date. The bandwidth is set to unlimited for download and upload. It is slow no matter if I am sent a Dropbox link from my employer, or I access my employer's dropbox and download the folder and file needed. I have closed out all programs/apps and web windows when downloading as to not to interfere with download. I have started the computer, internet, and modem boxes, and refreshed pages—all to no luck. I have spoken with support, and they can not seem to figure out the issue. This is only happening with Dropbox no other program. 

Is there any advice someone could send my way as to troubleshooting this major issue? 

  • cfw0047's avatar
    cfw0047
    New member | Level 2

    I'm having the exact same issue.  40KB/sec.  Not MB, but KB per second.  That's just ridiculous.  I've already instructed the client to use another service for getting me files.  The fact that this requires contacting support is unacceptable. 

  • edumbrava's avatar
    edumbrava
    Helpful | Level 5

    So I am not the crazy one? Will Dropbox finally acknowledge the issue publicly and not bury their head in the ground? Been like this for me for past 3 days, Dropbox support seems clueless doesn't  care 

     

    • alanb1501's avatar
      alanb1501
      New member | Level 2

      I'm also dealing with very very slow download speeds.


      I have been attempting to download a 190MB file for the past two days, and it keeps timing out due to speeds ranging from 40-100KB/s.

       

      I am on Xfinity Gigabit internet connection and have independently verified my connection speed through SpeedTest, and Fast.com. I also rebooted my wifi router, just to be on the safeside. I tried downloading on both Firefox and Edge latest browsers.

      This is pretty clearly an issue with Dropbox service.

       

      I just upgraded to Dropbox Plus and the speeds are still very very slow.

      • tgauerke's avatar
        tgauerke
        Helpful | Level 5

        I'm not surprised to find all these messages about insanely slow download speeds from dropbox. I at times exprience 5-10 KB/second downloads. For a frame of reference, that's 1/10th the speed of dial-up internet.

         

        This occurs despite having my dropbox app bandwith settings unrestricted, despite having very high-speed internet for my work, and despite stopping all other internet programs that run concurrently. The problem is on dropbox's side, not mine.

  • stephenchavez's avatar
    stephenchavez
    New member | Level 2

    EXACT SAME ISSUE. Our company runs on dropbox and I can't download any of my files. It is taking saying hours and days to download 1gb folders which generally takes less than a minute and mosst fail before they finish. 

     

    Can't find any help. I think it's time we have to go elsewhere. 

     

     

  • Megan's avatar
    Megan
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    Hi kc1332, I hope you're doing well!

    You mentioned that you've contacted our support team. 

    Could you send me the ticket number reference from your communication with them? 

    Thanks!
      • Megan's avatar
        Megan
        Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
        Thank you for the ticket number, kc1332!

        I've passed my comments to the agent supporting you, and they should be with you on this!

        If you need anything else, we're one post away!
  • corbeyluvULS's avatar
    corbeyluvULS
    Explorer | Level 4

    I'm having same issues, started about a week ago. Mostly mac environment where we heavily depend on LAN sync, everything has gone super slow. Most of the files I'm trying to sync are fully downloaded on a LAN computer already, in the past this has just taken seconds, even for large files. I have not tested on PC but the issue is now on par with OneDrive speed! And that is the whole reason our team moved back to DB. Enterprise clients here, based in Cambodia.

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

      Hey corbeyluvULS, thanks for the nudge.

       

      Have you checked the articles here, to make sure everything is set up correctly, so that LAN sync can function in its full capacity?

      • corbeyluv's avatar
        corbeyluv
        Helpful | Level 5
        Need to provide more specific guidance for an something that has been working great for years at multiple locations and with no network changes. I'm not going to bother with unspecific instructions. This is likely a DB issue.
  • lehestro's avatar
    lehestro
    Helpful | Level 6

    Fast-forward all the way to Dec 2024, and I'm having the same issue. 600Mbps connection (see screenshot), no other file syncing services happening. I'm trying to download 200GB of sound effects from my own account, and right now it is going to take 56 hours. 

    Download limits are not activated. I'm on an M1 Max mac running macOS Sequoia 15.1.1

    What is going on? I'm editing a film, but am hamstrung until I get these files. Seems like a number of people on this thread are in media, and it is not a patient business. 

    Talked to a support rep. They said they would escalate the issue for me, but had no answers.

    I've been a long time Dropbox customer, and really like its features and OS integration, but at the end of the day, it's about storing and retrieving files securely and promptly, and the latter part of that is broken for some reason.

    Wondering if anyone on here has tried Box? I've heard it can be more reliable for large amounts of data. 

    PS- not allowed to post my screenshots for some reason, but I ain't lying.

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

      lehestro, can you send me the ticket number of your support convo, so that I can take a look?

  • lehestro's avatar
    lehestro
    Helpful | Level 6

    I should mention, this is happening through the desktop app version. I just tried downloading through the web browser, and I'm getting the full use of my bandwidth. I downloaded 5GB in 2 minutes. 

    So it's something to do with the desktop app.

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