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Bert M.'s avatar
Bert M.
New member | Level 1
10 years ago

Desktop app is stuck 'Starting' when it loads up and doesn't sync

I am a paying customer and very frustrated with Dropbox. I am ready to drop DropBox and look for other alternatives. Since Friday of last week it has been trying to sync 100Gb in files and it is ta...
Desktop
Mac
Sync
  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    7 years ago
    Reading through this thread, everyone seems to be experiencing similar and yet slightly different issues, so I’ll go through the general troubleshooting steps to fix all of them. 
     
    Feel free to stop whenever your app begins to sync normally, not all steps are needed.
     
    Install the stable version:

    The first thing we need is to be sure you’re running the stable version of the Dropbox desktop application, and not the beta.
     
    To do so uncheck the box next to "Early releases" here. Then, do an advanced reinstall to ensure that all beta functions are removed fully. 
     
    Instead of the download link on that page, I recommend using the offline installers for this purpose:

     

    Confirm there are no symlinks

     
    Secondly, if your app is fine, but it’s still starting, then it could be stuck in a loop trying to parse your symlinks. 
     
    What are these? Long story short for those not in the know, these are files or folder that refer to another file or folder in your Dropbox account, or even outside the Dropbox folder.
     
    This can include, but is not limited to, iPhoto/Photos library on Mac, system folders such as Documents/Pictures/Music/Downloads, databases, programming code, and many more.
     
    Removing these symlinks is vital since they can cause these issues, high CPU usage, and permissions problems.
     
    Follow step 7 on this article in order to detect the symlinks in your computer and remove any from your Dropbox folder. Generally, moving the specific files or folders to another location should remove the links.
     
    Check your internet connection

    Hilariously, this is more common than you think. You have a stable WiFi/ethernet connection to the web, other sites work, and yet the app isn’t connecting.
     
    If multiple users are having this problem on the same network, there is a possibility that a proxy, VPN, firewall, security software, or even ISP/router issues that could be restricting traffic to the Dropbox domains. 
     
    We can’t really narrow things down for you, since you need to check this out yourself as there are so many programs out there.
     
    We’ve had cases more often than not about built in security software on routers for home internet users, meant to protect users and children, but in doing so preventing the Dropbox desktop application from loading.
     
    Using a remote login

    Getting a black or white screen on the Dropbox app when you’re trying to sign in is a different issue.
     
    This usually occurs when using a remote login or even a virtual machine to another device. The graphics for remote logins are usually reduced in quality, and since the Dropbox desktop application connects to the Dropbox site to sign you in, it won’t render the login page in the app while on a remote login.
     
    Best thing to do would be to access the machine directly to login from there.
     
     
    ---
     
    Overall, there are many reasons for this cause, however hopefully this post should help in resolving most of the issues!
     
     

     

     

    [This thread is now closed. If you have a similar or new question, you can ask here.]

glassfull's avatar
glassfull
Collaborator | Level 8
7 years ago

I don't know why the thread is closed:

 

https://www.dropboxforum.com/t5/Syncing-and-uploads/Desktop-app-is-stuck-Starting-when-it-loads-up-and-doesn-t-sync/td-p/88494/page/7

 

 

I also have this issue in the following situation:

 

  1. - Dropbox app is hanging on "Starting"
  2. - Windows 10 user account (not admin)
  3. - Have uninstalled and reinstalled 6 times 
  4. - Have restarted the machine multiple times
  5. - Have tried advanced reinstall
  6. - Also renamed Dropbox to DropboxOLD  and allowed Dropbox to recreate new "Dropbox" folder.

 

Step 6 worked for about 3 days - and then the app got stuck on starting ??

 

I then tried unlinked the app from preferences > my account and then relinked it again - and hey presto it works again....

 

But I can't be wasting my valuable time always having to "troubleshoot" Dropbox - I need a solution that just works.

 

I am going to try to move to Google Backup and Sync.  I'm fed up with Dropbox support answers that are clearly "canned" responses.  Furthermore, Google Backup and Sync offer live chat support - and I was able to answer all my issues within 15 minutes.

 

With Dropbox, I seem to have to endure weeks of pain and no resolution.  I am fed up.

 

Anyway, the above tips hopefully might help someone <<< try unlinking and relinking >>>>

 

 

  • Jay's avatar
    Jay
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
    7 years ago
    Hi there, the thread was closed since it was old and most users had the issue resolved.

    I've moved your thread in here to keep the topics together and reopened the thread for a short time.

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