Dropbox icon is saying "Syncing . . . " forever. I upgraded macOS to the latest version (15.3.1) and restarted the machine. (I don't know how to update Dropbox .) "View sync issues" says "You don't have any sync issues." How can one diagnose what's going wrong?

Don't even mention it muestik! It's our pleasure. 😇 Feel free to update the thread, and let us know more about the case once you hear back from our Team.

Hey ryofurue thanks for the heads up, and for keeping an eye out! I'll be one post away if you need any help! 🤓

Hi ryofurue, thanks for bringing this to our attention. Does the issue go away after rebooting your device or quitting and relaunching the app by any chance? Could you confirm where your Dropbox folder is currently located on your machine? Feel free to also hover your mouse over the little Dropbox icon on your menu bar, next to your WiFi and clarify the version you're using, along with the app's current syncing status. I’d also like you to right-click on your local Dropbox folder directly, select “Get info” and send me a screenshot of the next window you’ll see. Keep me posted!

I started the machine. Dropbox is launched. "Starting..." -> "Syncing..." --- Dropbox was stuck here. I waited for 10 minutes before going to the next step.I then quitted Dropbox and launched it again (from /Applications/). "Starting..." -> "Syncing 11 files..." -> "Syncing..." --- Dropbox was stuck here. I waited for 10 minutes before going to the next step.I then quitted Dropbox, restarted the machine, and logged in when the machine got up. Dropbox was automatically launched. "Starting..." -> "Syncing 11 files..." -> "Syncing 19 files..." -> "Syncing...". I waited for 10 minutes. Nothing changed.In the above, my reports about "Syncing XX files" may not be accurate. It's possible that I just missed those temporary messages.During the above experiment, I was working on another Mac. When I altered some files on it, they are synced on the problematic machine. So, the basic mechanism of syncing seems to be working.Could you confirm where your Dropbox folder is currently located on your machine?`~/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox/` . . . I confirm that none of the directories is a symbolic link.Feel free to also hover your mouse over the little Dropbox icon on your menu bar, next to your WiFi and clarify the version you're using, along with the app's current syncing status.Dropbox 217.4.4417Syncing...I’d also like you to right-click on your local Dropbox folder directly, select “Get info” and send me a screenshot of the next window you’ll see.I don't know how to paste the screenshot here. I'll try to send it you if I find a way to do so.

I initially formatted the above message of mine using some quoting, but this website complainsContent Not PublishedYour post contains invalid HTML. Remove the following invalid tags before publishing: a, span (style)So, I copied the text and pasted it and posted. That's why quotations don't have any indication of quoting.

My Mac is stuck at "Syncing" after updating my OS.

30 Replies

Megan
Dropbox Staff
3 months ago
Hi ryofurue, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Does the issue go away after rebooting your device or quitting and relaunching the app by any chance?

Could you confirm where your Dropbox folder is currently located on your machine?

Feel free to also hover your mouse over the little Dropbox icon on your menu bar, next to your WiFi and clarify the version you're using, along with the app's current syncing status.

I’d also like you to right-click on your local Dropbox folder directly, select “Get info” and send me a screenshot of the next window you’ll see.

Keep me posted!
- ryofurue
  Helpful | Level 5
  3 months ago
  Megan wrote:
  I’d also like you to right-click on your local Dropbox folder directly, select “Get info” and send me a screenshot of the next window you’ll see.
  I haven't been able to find out how to send you the image.
  - Megan
    Dropbox Staff
    3 months ago
    Hey ryofurue, thanks for the heads up and added info!
    
    You should be able to copy and paste your screenshot when replying to me. Alternatively, you can click the camera-like icon and attach it that way.
    
    Do you have any proxy, VPN, firewall, security software, or even ISP/router settings that could be restricting traffic to the following Dropbox domains?
    
    If you do, try temporarily disabling those, to see if that helps.
ryofurue
Helpful | Level 5
3 months ago
I started the machine. Dropbox is launched. "Starting..." -> "Syncing..." --- Dropbox was stuck here. I waited for 10 minutes before going to the next step.
I then quitted Dropbox and launched it again (from /Applications/). "Starting..." -> "Syncing 11 files..." -> "Syncing..." --- Dropbox was stuck here. I waited for 10 minutes before going to the next step.
I then quitted Dropbox, restarted the machine, and logged in when the machine got up. Dropbox was automatically launched. "Starting..." -> "Syncing 11 files..." -> "Syncing 19 files..." -> "Syncing...". I waited for 10 minutes. Nothing changed.
In the above, my reports about "Syncing XX files" may not be accurate. It's possible that I just missed those temporary messages.
During the above experiment, I was working on another Mac. When I altered some files on it, they are synced on the problematic machine. So, the basic mechanism of syncing seems to be working.
Could you confirm where your Dropbox folder is currently located on your machine?
`~/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox/` . . . I confirm that none of the directories is a symbolic link.
Feel free to also hover your mouse over the little Dropbox icon on your menu bar, next to your WiFi and clarify the version you're using, along with the app's current syncing status.
Dropbox 217.4.4417
Syncing...
I’d also like you to right-click on your local Dropbox folder directly, select “Get info” and send me a screenshot of the next window you’ll see.
I don't know how to paste the screenshot here. I'll try to send it you if I find a way to do so.
ryofurue
Helpful | Level 5
3 months ago
I initially formatted the above message of mine using some quoting, but this website complains
Content Not Published
Your post contains invalid HTML. Remove the following invalid tags before publishing: a, span (style)
So, I copied the text and pasted it and posted. That's why quotations don't have any indication of quoting.
muestik
New member | Level 1
2 months ago
Subject: Urgent Sync Issue – Critical Event Approaching
Dear Dropbox Support Team,
I have been experiencing serious sync issues for the past three days. Despite following all the recommended troubleshooting steps provided by Dropbox, I have not been able to resolve the problem.
A support representative mentioned that there is a limit of 300,000 synchronized files. However, before the last update, I had significantly more files synced without any issues. In an attempt to fix this, I have already deleted numerous files, yet the synchronization problem persists.
I have been a long-time Dropbox customer and have always been satisfied with your service. However, this issue is creating a major challenge for me: In two weeks, I am organizing a large event, and I absolutely need Dropbox to function flawlessly.
I kindly ask for a swift and competent solution to this issue. Could you confirm whether this limitation is due to the recent update? Is there any way I can ensure that all my files synchronize properly?
You see i removed almost eveyting form the harddrive. this is not the goal of a semless intigration on mac osx.
I appreciate your support and look forward to your prompt response.
Best regards
Adrian
- Nancy
  Dropbox Staff
  2 months ago
  Hey muestik! Is the Dropbox app stuck downloading those 22 files or does the number keep changing?
  
  If you keep the window with the properties of the Dropbox folder open for a little longer, does it show the current number of files that it contains?
  - muestik
    New member | Level 1
    2 months ago
    
    Thank you for your quick response at least someone is taking the time to help. At support cancel, no one was really helpful.
    I checked everything again and have now brought it down to under 300,000. But the problem still persists it won’t load. Sometimes it shows a leftover number, and sometimes it just says "syncing."
    Before the update, I had more than 700,000 files in sync mode, and that was never a problem. It’s really important to me that I can sync my data this way, even if it’s not fully stored on my computer just as an alias. I always assumed this would remain possible.
    The fact that it’s now limited to 300,000 is completely new to me. That’s a ridiculous number if you consider the Downloads, Music, Documents, and Films folders where most of the files are stored. I’m really pissed off and could barely contain my anger today.
    I don’t understand why such a major update was rolled out without proper background checks... This reminds me of Sonos, which became completely unusable after an update. Total failure the CEO had to step down!
    Thanks for your help and time.
muestik
New member | Level 1
2 months ago
Okay. I have now basically emptied my Dropbox—there are only 70,468 files still synchronized. And it still doesn’t work! Dropbox is still syncing, but when I create new data, like a screenshot, it gets uploaded. That seems to work, but the synchronization never fully completes.
- Megan
  Dropbox Staff
  2 months ago
  Hey muestik, I was able to locate your ticket number on our system.
  
  I had a and I completely understand how frustrating it can be to wait for a resolution.
  
  I want to assure you that our specialized team is actively looking into this. Since this issue requires advanced tools and expertise that aren't available to us here on the community, your case is in the best possible hands with them.
  
  While we can't intervene in their process, I've gone ahead and raised the priority of your communication to "High". In any case, we're here to support you and answer any other questions you might have.
  
  Thanks a bunch!
  - muestik
    New member | Level 1
    2 months ago
    Thank you for your response! I appreciate that the issue is being looked into now. Hoping for a quick resolution, and I truly appreciate your support. 😊
muestik
New member | Level 1
2 months ago
It’s unbearable. The support team gave me a solution that only made things worse. Now I no longer have access rights to my files. Every time I move or copy something, I have to enter the password—this can’t be serious! I haven’t been able to work for four days, and support isn’t responding anymore. I’m furious and completely outraged by how this whole situation is being handled. You can’t just release such a massive bug as an update!
- Hannah
  Dropbox Staff
  2 months ago
  Hey muestik, thanks for the additional info and thanks for your feedback here.
  
  I understand that some issues can be very frustrating, but since you're already in contact with a specialist, I'd suggest expressing any concerns or questions to them.
  
  Since the priority of your ticket was raised, your concerns will be addressed the soonest possible so you can get to the bottom of this.
  
  Again, apologies for any inconvenience.
ryofurue
Helpful | Level 5
12 days ago
Here I just add a new piece of information, which might be related to this issue.
I'm having the same problem right now after upgrading macOS to 15.4. But, the sequence of events was a bit different:
I just noticed that online files under Dropbox were not available: Filenames were there but trying to open them failed with various strange errors like "time out" and "unknown error 60".
Then, I noticed that Dropbox was stuck at "Connecting Components".
I restarted the machine, and it was now stuck at "Syncing..." without showing the number of remaining files.
Finder > Get Info on Dropbox showed the number of bytes and the number of items under "Size" . . . Looked fine.
I finally bit the bullet and logged out of, and logged in to, my Dropbox account.
Then, Dropbox first went "Indexing #### files" and now doing "Syncing #### files".
I hope this will end well.
At the moment, I'm not asking for help. I just wanted to report this new "Connecting Components" error.
- Megan
  Dropbox Staff
  12 days ago
  Hey ryofurue thanks for the heads up, and for keeping an eye out!
  
  I'll be one post away if you need any help! 🤓
  - ryofurue
    Helpful | Level 5
    12 days ago
    Unfortunately, I may need help.
    After the last message of mine, Dropbox went down to "Syncing 5 files". But then, it went into a sort of cycle with "Syncing N files" where N kept changing in 4 < N < 20. In the meanwhile, the Activity Monitor indicated that "fileproviderd" kept using ~140% of CPU. It was as if some process was updating some files under Dropbox.
    I quitted all apps except for Activity Monitor. Nothing changed.
    I then restarted the machine. Dropbox is now "Syncing ##,### files", where "##,###" is a 5 digit number.
    Initially, it was counting down, but now it's cycling through "16,460", "16,454", "16,452", "16,451", . . ., "16,450".
    "fileproviderd" is using ~110%.
    I'll now shut down the machine and I'll come back in several hours.