Hi, Since a while, I see this message when trying to view a dropbox link shared by others. I get this on Chrome, on Firefox and on Safari, so this is not a browser specific issue. Here's one example link where I get this problem. Even clicking download doesn't do anything. This thread on the forum seems to be related to my issue, but the problem seems to always get solved in direct communication with the customer, and no solutions are posted on the forum. When I Google this error message, there are no results, and neither is there any explanation of this specific error message on the dropbox site. Kind regards, Tim

Hope you don't mind someone else adding their two cents to this problem... it is still here on 01/24/2023... I just got it when I tried to view the photos I had just moved into a dropbox folder. Rather perplexing since I had just put 20+ photos in! I read the comments and decided to try something. Was connected directly to the internet through my home Comcast/Xfinity internet when I got this message. So... I started up my VPN, connecting to an out of state location (I'm in California). Presto, chango it all works and I can see the pictures now that dropbox can't see me. Go Figure! One of the many reasons I don't use dropbox for anything important!

Hey Hannah,Out of "proxy, VPN, firewall, security software, or even ISP/router," I can only see the ISP or router causing problems. I have no proxy, no VPN (using a VPN actually solves the problem), no firewall software, nor security software. Since using a VPN solves the problem, does that mean that my router is also not the culprit? Should I then blame the ISP?

As of this morning, this is the fate of any file I try to access: I've done the enabling-cookies thing (I use Chrome); nothing. I'll try restarting my computer and see what happens. My guess is that someone in Dropbox made some "improvement" that is the polar opposite of progress. Please unimprove things!

Hi MeganI haven’t tried a different wifi network because we only have the current one. There’s no reason for this to change my Dropbox settings. I am super discouraged by the fact that m also unable to access phone help.I have clients waiting on receiving materials and communication with Dropbox to fix this issue is taking days to o or get responses. It’s just not viable as a solution for businesses when there’s no immediate support.

I'm experiencing the same issue with some of my clients as well. It's a dealbreaker for me if this doesn't get resolved I'm going to switch to another service.

This file cannot be previewed because you are offline

saulnds
Explorer | Level 4
3 years ago
I experience this MANY times as well and am more familiar and prefer google chrome. This is quite a frustration I have with Dropbox however the company I work for uses dropbox for their file system. I am also a mac user. I use chrome and I Just tried the following a few moments ago to see if this would resolve the issue. On my mac I turned off my wi-fi for about 10 seconds then back on and the page refreshed and when I selected a file it now shows preview. Ridiculous a company like Dropbox can't code this so that it doesn't require these refreshes from the user. I never had these issues with Google drive so it must be something on the developer side. Luckily I'm a power user but I know a lot of people with less technical computer knowledge this should be resolved for the customer experience from Dropbox.

Hope this info helps someone else with this issue in the future.
- da_haigh
  Explorer | Level 3
  2 years ago
  I am getting this error message when I try to access one of my documents on Dropbox from a link which I had copied into an email. "This file cannot be previewed because you are offline".
  It has worked fine for the past few years; just started now.
  I logged into my account to access the same file, and I received the same message.
  Any ideas anyone? Help!
  RESOLVED
  I Googled this issue and found that something was blocking cookies, and what worked for me was to clear all cookies by doing a Shutdown and Restart.
  After the Restart, it worked fine and I was able to View my documents normally in my browser, which is Microsoft Edge.
  - Megan
    Dropbox Staff
    2 years ago
    Hi da_haigh, I hope you're doing well!
    
    In regards to the previewing message you receive when you try to preview the link, and the file itself, have you tried accessing your account, and previewing the file through a different browser?
    
    I'd also suggest an incognito tab on your current browser.
    
    Let me know of the results!
Nancy
Dropbox Staff
3 years ago
Thanks for posting here today, timbr!

I am afraid l can’t open the shared link you have provided, due to security reasons.

Is it possible though to send a screenshot of the exact error you keep receiving on your web account? I’d like to have a look for you.

Please make sure that no personal info is showing on your screenshot, before uploading it to the Community.

Keep me posted!
- timbr
  Helpful | Level 5
  3 years ago
  Sure, here's a picture. Note also that opening the same link on chrome on my android phone does work.
  - Nancy
    Dropbox Staff
    3 years ago
    That’s interesting, indeed.
    
    Can you take one more step and try to preview this file via an incognito window on your computer instead? Do you still see the same error?
    
    Let me know how it goes!
- Tommy Tran
  New member | Level 2
  2 years ago
  I also have the same problem. Can you help me
  - Nancy
    Dropbox Staff
    2 years ago
    Thanks for posting here, Tommy Tran!
    
    Are you having this issue with a specific shared link or with various links that have been sent to you?
    
    Have you tried any of the suggestions proposed in this thread, like switching browsers etc?
eva dragon
New member | Level 2
2 years ago
Ive had this issue as well. Try turning your wifi off and on again. This worked for me