We are aware of the issue with the badge emails resending to everyone, we apologise for the inconvenience - learn more here.
Forum Discussion
prc87
4 years agoHelpful | Level 6
Help! "Couldn't start Dropbox" error (Mac & Big Sur)
Dropbox won't start on my MacBook Air (13" 2018), with Big Sur 11.3.1.
Have uninstalled dropbox and reinstalled. Same error
Uninstalled again, advanced re-install. Same error
AFAIK, vanilla ins...
- 4 years ago
Ran these changes, but no different.
Tried once more, after double-checking firewall off.
uninstall DB
reboot
delete DB folders from local storage, and empty bin
reboot
search and delete every 'dropbox' named file in ~/library
reboot
advanced reinstall
reboot
logoff DB on webclient
reboot
start DB
login
accept all vanilla (recommended) options
and it started and seems to be sync-ing correctly.
Not sure what changed this time around, but DB seems to be working again.
Thanks for your help.
Walter
Dropbox Staff
Hey there prc87, thanks for using Dropbox and welcome to our Community!
From what I understand it looks like your Home directory is “locked”. Can you please do the following steps to fix this?
- Right-click on your Home folder → /Users/{your username}
- Select "Get Info" from the menu
- Uncheck the "Locked" checkbox.
If you have certain folders intentionally locked, then after doing the above you can go ahead and re-lock any folders within your Home directory that aren't the Dropbox folder.
Let me know how you get on, Peter!
prc87
4 years agoHelpful | Level 6
Thanks Walter
I checked as you suggested.
The home directory “locked” status is UNCHECKED. Also, none of the enclosed folders are locked as far as I can tell—and the Dropbox folder has been deleted too, as part of the advanced re-installed.
As a test, I checked the Locked status. Rebooted. Unchecked it. Rebooted. Then tried to open Dropbox. Same error persists, unfortunately
- Walter4 years agoDropbox Staff
Could you the try disabling any antivirus or firewall you may have and try again prc87?
Otherwise, you could also try the following:- 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 "Files and Folders."
- 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.
Now, attempt to restart the Dropbox desktop app.
Let me know if this helped, Peter!- prc874 years agoHelpful | Level 6
Thanks. Will check in the morning.
- prc874 years agoHelpful | Level 6
Ran these changes, but no different.
Tried once more, after double-checking firewall off.
uninstall DB
reboot
delete DB folders from local storage, and empty bin
reboot
search and delete every 'dropbox' named file in ~/library
reboot
advanced reinstall
reboot
logoff DB on webclient
reboot
start DB
login
accept all vanilla (recommended) options
and it started and seems to be sync-ing correctly.
Not sure what changed this time around, but DB seems to be working again.
Thanks for your help.
- washburn3113 years agoNew member | Level 2
Had the same problem. This worked for me. Did not have to reboot computer or reinstall anything.
- lavarela3 years agoNew member | Level 2
Thank you so much- this step of selecting files and folders finally fixed my issue!
About Apps and Installations
Have a question about a Dropbox app or installation? Reach out to the Dropbox Community and get solutions, help, and advice from members.
Need more support
If you need more help you can view your support options (expected response time for an email or ticket is 24 hours), or contact us on X or Facebook.
For more info on available support options for your Dropbox plan, see this article.
If you found the answer to your question in this Community thread, please 'like' the post to say thanks and to let us know it was useful!