My app has been stuck at syncing, & the number of files doesn't decrease.

[ryofurue]

I updated to macOS 14.6 yesterday or the day before yesterday. I'm not sure if the problem is related or not, but Dropbox is stuck at "Syncing 17 files".  The number "17" doesn't decrease for hours. I've already restarted the machine and restarted the Dropbox app after the machine is up. I've also confirmed that

1. The network works. (I can install apps; I can write in this Dropbox forum; etc).
2. Dropbox has full disk access in macOS's "System Settings".
3. When I update a text file in my local Dropbox folder, the online version on www.dropbox.com is updated, too.

What else should I check or do?

I've looked at the Dropbox help page:

https://help.dropbox.com/sync/files-not-syncing

There is a section title "Dropbox is stuck syncing forever, waiting to sync, or not starting", which didn't help.

[Megan]

Hi @ryofurue, let's jump right into this!

Could you let me know the app's exact status and version as shown in your system tray/menu bar?

Also, can you click on your avatar in the app's preferences and then on the 'View sync issues' option? Are there any files listed there?

Also, have you checked to make sure that there are no 'invalid characters' that could be preventing your files from getting synced?

Keep me posted!

[ryofurue]

> Could you let me know the app's exact status and version as shown in your system tray/menu bar?

I'm not sure what exactly I should do, but when I hovered my mouse pointer over the Dropbox icon in the menu bar, I see this:

    204.4.5420

    Downloading 17 files...

Is this the information you are looking for?

> Also, can you click on your avatar in the app's preferences and then on the 'View sync issues' option? Are there any files listed there?

No.  All I see is

    Personal

    No issues

> Also, have you checked to make sure that there are no 'invalid characters' that could be preventing your files from getting synced?

I'm aware that invalid characters can be the cause, but *I don't know which files I should look at.*

Which are the 17 files that Dropbox are trying to download?

[Walter · Accepted solution]

Hey @ryofurue - thanks for the additional information.

Could you please try fixing your hardlinks and permissions and let us know if syncing is still stuck at the exact same number of files?

[ryofurue]

> hardlinks and permissions

That was it!  I don't know exactly which was the culprit, but the hidden capability of "Fix hardlinks" or "Fix permissions" fixed my problem.

@Megan and @Walter,  I thank you for your help!  I've also realized that Dropbox's self-fixing capabilities are excellent.

[Megan]

Amazing news @ryofurue!

If you need anything else, just give us a -virtual- shout! 🤗