Dropbox is stuck at indexing ever since I installed the app on my new MacBook Pro.

[Dan68]

I got a new MacBook Pro and installed Dropbox. It worked for a while but suddenly stopped working without me realizing. It seems to be stuck at "Indexing...". Now I have many files locally on the computer in my Dropbox folder that are not synced. I also tried to make a backup copy of the Dropbox folder's content but I get a message for some files that I do not have the permissions to do so. It does not even work with the admin account. I am a bit worried about loosing the files and need to get Dropbox to work again properly asap.

Any help much appreciated!

Daniel

[Nancy]

Hi again, Daniel! Can you clarify the current OS version of your Mac computer? 

Other than that, I’d like you to go to the Sync tab of your app preferences and send me a screenshot of your Dropbox folder’s location.

[Dan68]

Hi again,

I don't know how to add a screenshot to a reply. I tried the "Insert/edit image" button but I cannot choose any image from my computer there. Maybe you can give me further instructions?

But I guess I can also just post the version and folder location:

macOS version: Sonoma 14.5

Dropbox folder location: /Users/XYZ/Library/CloudStorage/Dropbox

(Where "XYZ" stands for the user name.)

Daniel

[Nancy]

Thanks Daniel! Appreciate it. What I’d suggest, as the next step, is to unlink - relink your Dropbox app (basically, log out and back in again).

However, before doing so, please make a copy outside of Dropbox of any files that haven’t synced to your account online in the meantime.

[Dan68]

Thanks, @Nancy!

A problem with the suggestion is that copying the content of the Dropbox fails due to "permissions". It took a while until I realized that my files where not syncing to the cloud properly. By now I have many files all over my Dropbox folder that are not synced yet. So, I don't know how to accomplish the backup copy...

[Walter]

When you say due to 'permissions', are you getting any particular error @Dan68?

If so, we'd appreciate a screenshot so that we can have a look too. 

[Dan68]

Thank you for your reply @Walter . I still don't know how to upload a screenshot here but I can send the text:

"Åtgärden kan inte fullföljas eftersom ett oväntat fel inträffade (felkod -8062)."

which translates to

"The operation cannot be completed because an unexpected error occurred (error code -8062)."

Daniel

[Walter]

You should be able to attach a screenshot through the camera icon within your reply box @Dan68 

Can you see if this works for you?

[Dan68]

Thanks @Walter. Yes, I tried that before. But still no luck. In the dialog that appears there is a field called "Source" (among others like "Description", etc.) but it is just a plain textbox. No way to upload anything as far as I can see. I would send you a screenshot of it but... 🙂

[Hannah]

Hey @Dan68, does moving the files out of the Dropbox folder, instead of copying them, give you a different behavior?

[Dan68]

Hey @Hannah, surprisingly moving seems to work. (Isn't moving copying AND deleting?)

Does that give any hint as to what might be going on or how to get my Dropbox fixed without losing data?

Daniel