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Forum Discussion
Couldn't Start Dropbox - macOS Monterey
After installing the new macOS Monterey I am getting the below error
Couldn't start Dropbox
This is usually because of a permissions error. Storing your home folder on a network share can also cause an error. For more information, click the help button below.
I tried to remove dropbox using instructions on the website and re-install using advance install and still see the error.
bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
bn.VERSION: 133.4.4089
bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 51
bn.is_frozen: True
machine_id: 523bf589-eb29-56d6-9beb-1631aa56ce2b
pid: 1077
ppid: 1
uid: 501
user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='amirnathoo', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=501, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='Amirali Nathoo', pw_dir='/Users/amirnathoo', pw_shell='/bin/zsh')
effective_user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='amirnathoo', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=501, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='Amirali Nathoo', pw_dir='/Users/amirnathoo', pw_shell='/bin/zsh')
euid: 501
gid: 20
egid: 20
group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root'])
effective_group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root'])
DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH: None
cwd: '/'
real_path='/'
mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
HOME: '/Users/amirnathoo'
appdata: '/Users/amirnathoo/.dropbox/instance1'
real_path='/Users/amirnathoo/.dropbox/instance1'
mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20
dropbox_path: '/Users/amirnathoo/Dropbox'
real_path='/Users/amirnathoo/Dropbox'
mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20
sys_executable: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
mode=0o100755 uid=501 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20
trace.__file__: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'
real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'
not found
parent not found
tempdir: '/var/folders/xq/rpxg71x17dj4ylbw_svqhdjc0000gn/T'
real_path='/private/var/folders/xq/rpxg71x17dj4ylbw_svqhdjc0000gn/T'
mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 808, in wrapper
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 6497, in finish_dropbox_boot
File "dropbox/client/message_queue.pyc", line 307, in _wrapped
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 6030, in _init_components_for_account
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 5954, in create_sync_engine
File "dropbox/sync_engine_boundary/factory.pyc", line 226, in make_sync_engine
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/sync_engine.pyc", line 280, in __init__
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/modern_client/modern_client.pyc", line 222, in __init__
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/modern_client/base.pyc", line 152, in __init__
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/thin_adapter/in_proc.pyc", line 217, in __init__
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/thin_adapter/in_proc.pyc", line 587, in _init_new_engine_locked
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/thin_client/client.pyc", line 185, in __init__
File "desktop/extensions/nucleus/nucleus_python.pyx", line 76, in nucleus_python.NucleusSyncEngine.__cinit__
nucleus_python.SyncEngineError: "Initializing engine |>> Initializing filesystem |>> Attempting to register icons |>> fchflags syscall: _set_hidden |>> Permission denied"
please assist
Hi everyone, with the macOS Monterey update (macOS 12.0 and above), some stricter permissions have been enforced by Apple which have probably led to the issue you are experiencing.
The following steps should help to resolve this behavior:
- Click on the Apple icon in the top left hand corner of your screen
- Select "System Preferences..."
- Then "Security & Privacy"
- Select the Privacy tab
- Select "Full Disk Access"
- Under Dropbox, ensure that all the folders are checked. (To make changes, you will need to click on the lock icon, and enter your macOS password)
- Repeat these steps under 'Files and Folders' and 'Accessibility'
- Once you've completed this, please attempt to restart the Dropbox desktop app
If need be, a reboot of the Mac itself would also help.
- Hannah
Dropbox Staff
Hey amiralin, thanks for joining us on the Dropbox Community!
Can you try performing an advanced reinstall of the Dropbox app, to see if that helps?
Let me know how it goes.Hi Hannah,
Thank for your response. I already tried the advance re-install and still get the same error.
Thanks,
Amir
- HannahOf course, Amir, thanks for the update here!
Can you take a look at this thread and try the steps that andreabonato provided, to see if they help you too?
hi there,
I had the same problem and found this link and checked the instructions but I'm not sure what the 'terminal application' is, can you help answer that?
Thank you
Same problem as everyone else. Have tried all the recommended fixes multiple times to no effect. Dropbox is not opening. I'm running macOS Catalina (10.15.7). Need help.
I've tried to open by DropBox App on my iMac after the lates Mac upgrade but received the message to contact Dropbox with the message below, but can find no way of contacting Dropbox, but have found people with the same issue, hopefully you can assist,
bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
bn.VERSION: 134.4.4115
bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 51
bn.is_frozen: True
machine_id: 24f014d6-92c6-50ad-b041-2f90e3eb21cb
pid: 18754
ppid: 1
uid: 501
user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='johnfsanderson', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=501, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='John Sanderson', pw_dir='/Users/johnfsanderson', pw_shell='/bin/bash')
effective_user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='johnfsanderson', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=501, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='John Sanderson', pw_dir='/Users/johnfsanderson', pw_shell='/bin/bash')
euid: 501
gid: 20
egid: 20
group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', 'johnfsanderson', '_xcsbuildagent', '_nsurlstoraged', '_serialnumberd', '_xcscredserver'])
effective_group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', 'johnfsanderson', '_xcsbuildagent', '_nsurlstoraged', '_serialnumberd', '_xcscredserver'])
DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH: None
cwd: '/'
real_path='/'
mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
HOME: '/Users/johnfsanderson'
appdata: '/Users/johnfsanderson/.dropbox/instance1'
real_path='/Users/johnfsanderson/.dropbox/instance1'
mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=20
parent mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=20
dropbox_path: '/Users/johnfsanderson/Dropbox'
real_path='/Users/johnfsanderson/Dropbox'
mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20
sys_executable: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
mode=0o100755 uid=501 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20
trace.__file__: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'
real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'
not found
parent not found
tempdir: '/var/folders/lc/trv42_vd06789jbj91vrl0zm0000gn/T'
real_path='/private/var/folders/lc/trv42_vd06789jbj91vrl0zm0000gn/T'
mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 816, in wrapper
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 6537, in finish_dropbox_boot
File "dropbox/client/message_queue.pyc", line 313, in _wrapped
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 6070, in _init_components_for_account
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 5994, in create_sync_engine
File "dropbox/sync_engine_boundary/factory.pyc", line 226, in make_sync_engine
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/sync_engine.pyc", line 278, in __init__
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/modern_client/modern_client.pyc", line 245, in __init__
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/modern_client/base.pyc", line 152, in __init__
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/thin_adapter/in_proc.pyc", line 209, in __init__
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/thin_adapter/in_proc.pyc", line 520, in _init_new_engine_locked
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/thin_client/client.pyc", line 188, in __init__
File "desktop/extensions/nucleus/nucleus_python.pyx", line 76, in nucleus_python.NucleusSyncEngine.__cinit__
nucleus_python.SyncEngineError: "Initializing engine |>> Initializing filesystem |>> Attempting to register icons |>> fchflags syscall: _set_hidden |>> Permission denied"After install macOS Monterey, I can't open dropbox desktop for a week...
bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
bn.VERSION: 134.4.4115
bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 51
bn.is_frozen: True
machine_id: 7db9483d-f19d-501c-ba10-cd5428b9120d
pid: 38858
ppid: 1
uid: 502
user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='chihyuancho', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=502, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='Chihyuan Cho', pw_dir='/Users/chihyuancho', pw_shell='/bin/bash')
effective_user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='chihyuancho', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=502, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='Chihyuan Cho', pw_dir='/Users/chihyuancho', pw_shell='/bin/bash')
euid: 502
gid: 20
egid: 20
group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', '_nsurlstoraged', '_serialnumberd'])
effective_group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', '_nsurlstoraged', '_serialnumberd'])
DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH: None
cwd: '/'
real_path='/'
mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
HOME: '/Users/chihyuancho'
appdata: '/Users/chihyuancho/.dropbox/instance1'
real_path='/Users/chihyuancho/.dropbox/instance1'
mode=0o40700 uid=502 gid=20
parent mode=0o40700 uid=502 gid=20
dropbox_path: '/Users/chihyuancho/Dropbox'
real_path='/Users/chihyuancho/Dropbox'
mode=0o40700 uid=502 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=502 gid=20
sys_executable: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
mode=0o100755 uid=502 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=502 gid=20
trace.__file__: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'
real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'
not found
parent not found
tempdir: '/var/folders/y9/gh2y52cn57q78bj4t5wsj_lm0000gp/T'
real_path='/private/var/folders/y9/gh2y52cn57q78bj4t5wsj_lm0000gp/T'
mode=0o40700 uid=502 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=502 gid=20
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 816, in wrapper
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 6537, in finish_dropbox_boot
File "dropbox/client/message_queue.pyc", line 313, in _wrapped
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 6070, in _init_components_for_account
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 5994, in create_sync_engine
File "dropbox/sync_engine_boundary/factory.pyc", line 226, in make_sync_engine
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/sync_engine.pyc", line 278, in __init__
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/modern_client/modern_client.pyc", line 245, in __init__
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/modern_client/base.pyc", line 152, in __init__
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/thin_adapter/in_proc.pyc", line 209, in __init__
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/thin_adapter/in_proc.pyc", line 520, in _init_new_engine_locked
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/thin_client/client.pyc", line 188, in __init__
File "desktop/extensions/nucleus/nucleus_python.pyx", line 76, in nucleus_python.NucleusSyncEngine.__cinit__
nucleus_python.SyncEngineError: "Initializing engine |>> Initializing filesystem |>> Attempting to register icons |>> fchflags syscall: _set_hidden |>> Permission denied"Hello since I download Monterey I can open the app Dropbox on my Mac
Stangely I have trier on a test session and then it works but on my main session no way
Error message due to security default
Do you have any idea what to do??
I got the message: Unable to launch the Dropbox application.
This is most likely due to incorrect permissions. Storing your user folder in a network share may also cause this error.
I'm not on Monterey but I essentially get the same message.
I am getting the same thing, which this is VERY BAD because I work remote sometimes and now everything I do in dropbox no one see's. It will not allow me to download the dropbox app. I get this error message!!! HELP!!!!!!!! DOES DROPBOX NOT HAVE A CUSTOMER SUPPORT NUMBER??????? If I can't get this fixed than it will be very bad for me. I wish I took off the automatic update for my IMAC
bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
bn.VERSION: 140.4.1951
bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 52
bn.is_frozen: True
machine_id: 8a5d006f-6016-5d2b-ac5f-4280956aaa5d
pid: 1537
ppid: 1
uid: 501
user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='legal', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=501, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='Zwiebel Associate', pw_dir='/Users/legal', pw_shell='/bin/zsh')
effective_user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='legal', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=501, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='Zwiebel Associate', pw_dir='/Users/legal', pw_shell='/bin/zsh')
euid: 501
gid: 20
egid: 20
group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', 'legal'])
effective_group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', 'legal'])
DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH: None
cwd: '/'
real_path='/'
mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
HOME: '/Users/legal'
appdata: '/Users/legal/.dropbox/instance4'
real_path='/Users/legal/.dropbox/instance4'
mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20
dropbox_path: '/Users/legal/The Zwiebel Law Firm Dropbox'
real_path='/Users/legal/The Zwiebel Law Firm Dropbox'
mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20
sys_executable: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
mode=0o100755 uid=501 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20
trace.__file__: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'
real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'
not found
parent not found
tempdir: '/var/folders/y0/fpdbtc0x6f78p59xdm3yf4_r0000gn/T'
real_path='/private/var/folders/y0/fpdbtc0x6f78p59xdm3yf4_r0000gn/T'
mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 838, in wrapper
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 6617, in finish_dropbox_boot
File "dropbox/client/message_queue.pyc", line 313, in _wrapped
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 6165, in _init_components_for_account
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 6089, in create_sync_engine
File "dropbox/sync_engine_boundary/factory.pyc", line 218, in make_sync_engine
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/sync_engine.pyc", line 268, in __init__
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/modern_client/modern_client.pyc", line 250, in __init__
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/modern_client/base.pyc", line 198, in __init__
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/thin_adapter/in_proc.pyc", line 217, in __init__
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/classic_client/thin_adapter/in_proc.pyc", line 529, in _init_new_engine_locked
File "dropbox/sync_engine/nucleus/thin_client/client.pyc", line 133, in __init__
File "desktop/extensions/nucleus/nucleus_python.pyx", line 76, in nucleus_python.NucleusSyncEngine.__cinit__
nucleus_python.SyncEngineError: "Initializing engine |>> Initializing filesystem |>> Attempting to register icons |>> Reading existing xattr |>> fgetxattr syscall: determined size |>> Permission denied"I removed an old home folder which hasn't been used in 2 years, turns out dropbox app data was still stored on this user folder / home directory. I am now unable to run or re-install dropbox, I just get the following popups and messages:
the following folder was removed, the user account no longer exists and hasn't been used in years:
add pw and get this:
I then select the link and get this:
bn.BUILD_KEY: Dropbox
bn.VERSION: 144.4.4491
bn.constants.WINDOWS_SHELL_EXT_VERSION: 52
bn.is_frozen: True
machine_id: de9b9f98-bc2e-5975-b767-aedf8a415ca5
pid: 1792
ppid: 1
uid: 501
user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='Studio', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=501, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='Studio', pw_dir='/Users/Studio', pw_shell='/bin/bash')
effective_user_info: pwd.struct_passwd(pw_name='Studio', pw_passwd='********', pw_uid=501, pw_gid=20, pw_gecos='Studio', pw_dir='/Users/Studio', pw_shell='/bin/bash')
euid: 501
gid: 20
egid: 20
group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', 'benni', '_xgridcontroller', '_xgridagent', '_carddav', '_xcsbuildagent', '_serialnumberd'])
effective_group_info: grp.struct_group(gr_name='staff', gr_passwd='*', gr_gid=20, gr_mem=['root', 'benni', '_xgridcontroller', '_xgridagent', '_carddav', '_xcsbuildagent', '_serialnumberd'])
DYLD_LIBRARY_PATH: None
cwd: '/'
real_path='/'
mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
parent mode=0o40755 uid=0 gid=0
HOME: '/Users/Studio'
appdata: '/Users/benni/.dropbox/instance1'
real_path='/Users/benni/.dropbox/instance1'
not found
parent not found
dropbox_path: None
not found
parent not found
sys_executable: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/MacOS/Dropbox'
mode=0o100755 uid=501 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20
trace.__file__: '/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'
real_path='/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/python-packages.zip/dropbox/client/ui/common/boot_error.pyc'
not found
parent not found
tempdir: '/var/folders/g4/6ff89mzj5v5c_84hvrd2swm80000gn/T'
real_path='/private/var/folders/g4/6ff89mzj5v5c_84hvrd2swm80000gn/T'
mode=0o40700 uid=501 gid=20
parent mode=0o40755 uid=501 gid=20
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 1247, in safe_makedirs
File "dropbox/fsutil.pyc", line 655, in safe_makedirs
File "os.pyc", line 213, in makedirs
File "os.pyc", line 213, in makedirs
File "os.pyc", line 223, in makedirs
PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: '/Users/benni'During handling of the above exception, another exception occurred:
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 7916, in main_startup
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 2778, in initialize
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 1648, in startup_low
File "dropbox/client/main.pyc", line 1256, in safe_makedirs
File "dropbox/fsutil.pyc", line 655, in safe_makedirs
File "os.pyc", line 213, in makedirs
File "os.pyc", line 213, in makedirs
File "os.pyc", line 223, in makedirs
PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied: '/Users/benni'- MeganHi Sandbox Studio, let's see what we can find on this!
Can you please run the following command through your Mac's terminal app?
sudo mv ~/.dropbox ~/.Trash/dropbox.old
Please note that once the prompt displays, the instruction completes the requested task. If the command returns an error, or does not respond after an hour, you may want to try restarting your computer and trying this step again.
From there, restart Dropbox from the Application folder and then sign in and apply any Selective Sync settings you may have had prior to this reset during the sign in process. Your account will take a few moments to reindex the files and sync any pending changes.
Keep me posted.thanks for your reply, I tried this but unable to run on our default mac user account as this is set as a guest user, I then logged in with admin and get the following message:
Last login: Sat Mar 19 14:33:16 on console
Sandbox-MacPro-Studio:~ admin$ sudo mv ~/.dropbox ~/.Trash/dropbox.old
Password:
mv: rename /Users/admin/.dropbox to /Users/admin/.Trash/dropbox.old: No such file or directory
Sandbox-MacPro-Studio:~ admin$
Hello Group,
I am trying to install Dropbox for the first time on an M2 2022 Macbook Pro 13 inch and cannot even open the disk image (*.dmg file)
Any help would be appreciated!- Nancy
Thanks for posting on the forum, sophiahirakis!
Do you receive any errors when trying to open the .dmg file? Any screenshots you can provide are greatly appreciated.
I had the same thing happen. I tried all kinds of things.
Another website suggested:
Remove hidden dropbox folder '.dropbox' in user's root folder (Users/YourUsername/.dropbox)
That worked for me.
