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awitzburg's avatar
awitzburg
New member | Level 2
6 years ago

Smart Sync error - "There was an error opening this document"

I can access files on dropbox website, however on all computers utilizing smartsync, every time you try and open a file from the dropbox folder, it says "There was an error opening this doucment. The file cannot be accessed by the system."

I have already tried uninstalling and reinstalling dropbox and the same issue persisted. Same issue accross all computers in my office. 

  • scourtney's avatar
    scourtney
    Helpful | Level 6

    Same for us. Marking it as "local" works, but I don't want my users to have to do that for the dozens of files they touch every day. Happening on Windows 7 and 10 with latest updates and latest version of Dropbox app. Also tried reinstalls and it did not fix this.

    Interestingly, our mac users are just fine. No issue at all.

  • awitzburg's avatar
    awitzburg
    New member | Level 2

    Forcing the file local does work, but definitely don't want to do that on all these files.  

     

     

    • austinjonescorp's avatar
      austinjonescorp
      New member | Level 2

      Exact same issue, same workaround.  Happening to one employee after Windows 10 updated this morning.

    • Jay's avatar
      Jay
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      Thanks for the reports, I’ve forwarded this info to our team to conduct an investigation on it as we speak.
       
      I’ll update you here when I receive an update on this matter.
      • thsuhart's avatar
        thsuhart
        New member | Level 2

        This seems to only have become an issue today after Windows forced an update. I hope there is a resolution soon! 

    • larsdennert's avatar
      larsdennert
      Collaborator | Level 10

      Smart Sync has started refusing to retrieve online only files on demand. The opening app returns an error that the file can't be read or is corrupted. I have to make them local to open the files. We are talking pdfs and word docs so small files. Tried rebooting and I have an internet connection, after all, I'm posting this. Windows Pro 1803 DB client 63.4.102

      • MohamedSalih's avatar
        MohamedSalih
        New member | Level 2
        I have same issue, please let us know if this is solved and how. Thank you !
    • Jay's avatar
      Jay
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      Hi there, thanks for this info. 
       
      Could you both try forcing the file to go local first from the context menu instead of opening it directly?
       
      A screenshot of the error message would help as well!
       
      Let me know how it goes!
      • deltat's avatar
        deltat
        New member | Level 2

        Forcing the folder local allows the file to be opened w/o issue.  Smart Sync folders on two tested PC's in my office cannot open any of the files.

  • deltat's avatar
    deltat
    New member | Level 2

    Same here, tested on two computers.  Smart sync folders cannot open any documents.  Windows 10 Professional w/ latest updates and patches.

  • ykoutsikos's avatar
    ykoutsikos
    New member | Level 2

    Same here. Proposed workaround does work but obviously is not a solution.

  • OasisArch's avatar
    OasisArch
    New member | Level 2

    We are experiencing the same issue with online only files not automatically opening when selected. We are an architectural firm and rely on dropbox heavily. Having to change each working file to local first before opening is becoming annoying.

    • Alexis G.1's avatar
      Alexis G.1
      Icon for Super User rankSuper User

      OasisArch wrote:

      We are experiencing the same issue with online only files not automatically opening when selected. We are an architectural firm and rely on dropbox heavily. Having to change each working file to local first before opening is becoming annoying.


      as a workaround, don't change the smartsync setting for a file but for a folder. if you are working with an specific folder, setup the folder as Smartsync/Local so all folder content is downloaded. 

      First time I see this issue with smartsync. Anyone knows the KB number of the MS update who break Dropbox smartsync feature?

      • CST2000's avatar
        CST2000
        New member | Level 2

        KB4471324 on our Windows 10 machines

  • sisinger's avatar
    sisinger
    New member | Level 2

    I'm having the same issue.  please notify when resolved. 

  • Tarakiwi's avatar
    Tarakiwi
    Explorer | Level 4

    I am having exactly the same issue.  Please advise me when it is fixed!