Dropbox app on Window 11 unable to connect to Internet, does not retain autostart or proxy setting

[DBVWarchitects]

I just downloaded and installed the Dropbox app to my Win 11 Pro system, but it is unable to connect to the Internet.  I saw that some people were able to resolve this issue by turning off their proxy settings, so I tried that, quit the app, and restarted it, but the setting change I made does not stick.  The app reverts to "auto-detect" every time I restart it.  Incidentally, I also unchecked the box for autostarting with the computer, but that box also reverts to its default checked state ever time I quit the app and restart it.  (The setting changes are retained until I tell the app to quit--I checked that.)  Proxy is off in my OS settings, and automatically detect proxies is also off in my OS settings.  I have also tested the app on different wifi networks, some without firewall blocking, the native firewall is off on the computers I've used, and I have tested the app on systems with different antivirus apps, but I get the same result on every installation, every computer, every network, so I don't think it's a problem with firewall or wifi settings.

[Jay]

Hi @DBVWarchitects, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Could you attach a screenshot showing what you're currently experiencing on your device?

Were the other machines you tried also on Windows 11? 

This will help me to assist further!

[DBVWarchitects]

This is what the app shows.  There's not much to see--the app is not finding whatever it needs on the Internet.

I have tried this with both Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems--exactly the same results with all tests.

[Jay]

You've mentioned using this on different machines. Do you have any proxy, VPN, firewall, security software, or even ISP/router settings that could be restricting traffic to the following Dropbox domains? 

Are the different networks all using the same ISP by any chance?

[DBVWarchitects]

No proxies or VPN.  We do have a firewall, so I used (with permission) our neighbor's wifi for a test to eliminate our firewall as a factor, but had exactly the same experience on the neighbor's wifi.  We do share the same ISP--Cox Business, but they're a major provider, so I don't think they have some odd, obscure restriction that would block Dropbox.  We do of course have a router and security software, but I manage it and we do not block based on domain name.  I did temporarily drop all restrictions on my firewall, but that made no difference.  And, as I said, I tried a completely different network.  I have looked at that extremely long list of Dropbox domain names, and several of them do not even resolve to an IP address, no matter what device or network I use, including my cell phone using Verizon's data network, so I find the list to be frustrating and really not very helpful.  

[Jay]

If you're not on a Dropbox Basic plan with more than 3 devices connected, could you try an advanced reinstall of the app using the steps in this link?

[DBVWarchitects]

What if I am on a Basic plan?  Is this experiment still worth trying?

[DBVWarchitects]

I decided to try the procedure anyway, even though I have a Basic Dropbox account, and I am unable to delete folder C:\ProgramData\Dropbox because the user, which has local admin rights, does not have permission to delete the log file in the Update\Log subfolder.  I tried to take ownership, but it won't let me do that either.

[Jay]

Yes, provided you don't have more than 3 devices connected, since there is a limit to the number of devices you can connect when using a Basic plan. 

[DBVWarchitects]

Well right now none of my devices are connecting, but hypothetically, if there were already three devices connected somewhere, would the fourth and subsequent installations exhibit the symptoms I'm seeing; i.e., the app is unable to connect to the web?

Anyway, I did try the experiment (see my earlier post above), reinstalled the app, and still the same issue.  I tried three different networks, same result with all.  Windows 10 computer.