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saguilar2012's avatar
saguilar2012
Explorer | Level 3
6 years ago

Some of my files show up as zero bytes

When I save file, the file will appear in my DropBox, but when I open it the file is completely blank or only kept an older version of the document. I realized some of these "saved" items are being s...
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  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    6 years ago
    If it is still syncing, then it means that it isn’t up to date yet.
     
    I’d recommend waiting until all your files have finished syncing before attempting to open those files.
     
    If it doesn’t stop syncing, try an advanced reinstall of the app to see if this resolves the issue.
saguilar2012's avatar
saguilar2012
Explorer | Level 3

Ah ok. When I looked at the menu bar, it appears that the Dropbox incon is Syncing. Is there any other reason why it is saving my docs as Zero Bytes, resulting in blank pages when I open the document?

Jay's avatar
Jay
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
6 years ago
If it is still syncing, then it means that it isn’t up to date yet.
 
I’d recommend waiting until all your files have finished syncing before attempting to open those files.
 
If it doesn’t stop syncing, try an advanced reinstall of the app to see if this resolves the issue.
  • Alinemac's avatar
    Alinemac
    Helpful | Level 5
    4 years ago

    I have the same problem. I accessed the document directly on Dropbox. It shows many documents I have stored there but it says the document is zero bytes and its empty. I am kind of in despair! Can't lose all that work!!!

    • Mark's avatar
      Mark
      Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
      4 years ago

      My guess Alinemac is that you are on a Mac and the file has either been moved to, copied to, or saved to Dropbox which has then uploaded the temp 'holder' file that Dropbox creates (at 0bytes). Time hasnt then been allowed to upload the full file once the copy/move etc. has finished. 

       

      The only way to retrieve the file now is to go back to the original device and let it finish uploading

      • MikeHorn's avatar
        MikeHorn
        Helpful | Level 6
        3 years ago

        I realize that this thread is a couple years old, but I have just started having this same problem on my Mac. Have been using this same set of folders for almost a year with no problems but now they are all showing (in Finder) as Zero Bytes. If I got to Dropbox in a browser, the files are all there. But when I need to use the files, I have to go to the browser, download a copy, and then use. Not only are there extra steps but we also have potential version issues with the files themselves. (We use Dropbox as "public" storage and sharing of approved product photos).

        In a browser, everything is normalIn Mac Finder, the files are showing Zero Bytes

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