All files downloaded from Dropbox are corrupt

[RuthP]

I have been using Dropbox on my old computer for >5 years. A few weeks before transferring to my new computer, I noticed that my files on my computer were no longer syncing with Dropbox. 

To transfer to the new computer, I deleted everything on Dropbox, because it was not up to date, and uploaded everything form my old computer Dropbox folder. I did this folder by folder.  So far, so good. 

I then allowed Dropbox to download everything, 116 GB and >38,000 files, to my D(data) drive. Unfortunately, I cannot open any of these downloaded files. If I try to open a word doc, I get When I try to open a word doc

And similar if I try to open other types of files. 

The files on Dropbox are uncorrupted. If I download a word doc from dropbox, it opens correctly. 

Can anyone help please. I would like to be able to open files on my computer.

If allowing to download folder by folder will help, I will need some instructions please.

Thanks.

[Walter]

Hi there @RuthP - sorry to hear about this.

Can you please let me know your computer's OS version and the version and status of the desktop app as shown in your menu bar/system tray?

Do you see any syncing icons on the files you're trying to open by the way? If you do, are the files online only or available offline on your computer? 

Any additional information or screenshots are more than welcome! 

[RuthP]

Thanks Walter.

I am using Windows 11.

There is no Dropbox icon in the system tray!

This is the top of my Dropbox folder. The folder was made by dropbox. 

This screen shot is inside a folder. The top docs are ones I have added in the last few days and they are not on the net, only on my computer. 

The files with the little brown square over the word symbol are the corrupt ones, that will not open:

Regards,

Ruth

[Walter]

Those icons are not coming from Dropbox (here's a list of the Dropbox syncing icons) and since you're not running the Dropbox desktop app on your computer, this issue can't be caused by Dropbox @RuthP 

Do you happen to be running any 3rd party apps that sync or backup your files perhaps? 

Also, can you clarify the process you followed in the first place to move your Dropbox folder to your D drive? Did you use the desktop app at all on your new computer? 

[RuthP]

Hello Wayne,

Thanks for your reply. 

I am running Bitdefender. After a bit of googling, I know that Dropbox and Bitdefender do not always cooperate! I have now white listed Dropbox.

To move your Dropbox folder to my D drive?

1. I uploaded everything from my old Dropbox folder to Dropbox on the web. 

2. I then downloaded the Dropbox App.  and followed the instructions from Nancy to download my files to my D drive:

After installing the Dropbox app on your new device and logging in, you should see an "Advanced Settings" link (right before you proceed to create the new Dropbox folder to sync your files). By clicking on this option, you can pick where you’d like this Dropbox folder to be located on your computer.

Hope this helps.

---

Nancy
Community Moderator @ Dropbox
dropbox.com/support

This is what my D drive currently looks like:

3. If I search for the Dropbox App in the search bar of my computer, it pops up as expected, but if I click on it, the blue  just goes round and round!!

Regards,

Ruth

[Walter]

Could you send me a screenshot of the your taskbar as well to see if the Dropbox app's icon is shown there @RuthP? If it's not showing there, it might be hidden. 

Also, do you see any syncing icons on the files inside your Dropbox folder? 

[RuthP]

Here is the clip of my task bar:

OR

I cannot get a clip of what happens when I click on the up arrow near the bottom right. But there is no dropbox icon in there. 

I have checked a random selection of files inside dropbox and none have the synced symbol.

Regards,

Ruth

[Megan · Accepted solution]

Hi @RuthP, thanks for the info! 

Have you tried re-downloading and installing the app again? 

[RuthP]

Thanks Megan. I have done that and everything is now starting to sync.

Thanks again,

Ruth

[Megan]

Awesome news @RuthP!

If you need anything else, give me a shout! 😎