What causes "Dropbox Can't Establish Secure Connection"?

System date/time outside the certificate validity window Corporate proxy or network restrictions Antivirus/firewall intercepting SSL (e.g. older ESET versions) Outdated or damaged Dropbox install

How do I fix "Dropbox Can't Establish Secure Connection"?

1. Correct the system clock: Set date, time and time zone to automatic Restart Dropbox 2. Check proxy settings: Dropbox icon > avatar > Preferences > Proxies (Network on Mac) Try No proxy, or enter your organization's proxy details Ask IT to allow the *.dropbox domain 3. Update or whitelist antivirus: Update your antivirus (ESET users fixed it by updating ESET) Add Dropbox to firewall exceptions 4. Reinstall with the offline installer: Uninstall Dropbox, restart, and install the offline installer from dropbox.com 5. Use the web in the meantime: Access files at dropbox.com while troubleshooting

Try or Bye

Browse all analyzed products with real user feedback patterns.

Dropbox Can't Establish Secure Connection

Workaround available Windows, macOS Updated October 21, 2026

Quick answer

The 'can't establish a secure connection' error is usually a wrong system clock, a proxy, or antivirus/firewall SSL inspection. Fix the date, set the proxy to No Proxy or enter your details, and update or whitelist your security software.

Most likely fix: Correct the system clock.

Symptoms

The desktop app won't connect or sign in and shows 'Can't establish a secure connection', while dropbox.com works in the browser.

Why it happens

System date/time outside the certificate validity window
Corporate proxy or network restrictions
Antivirus/firewall intercepting SSL (e.g. older ESET versions)
Outdated or damaged Dropbox install

How to fix it

Try these in order — the most common fix is first.

1. Correct the system clock
1. Set date, time and time zone to automatic
2. Restart Dropbox
2. Check proxy settings
1. Dropbox icon > avatar > Preferences > Proxies (Network on Mac)
2. Try No proxy, or enter your organization's proxy details
3. Ask IT to allow the *.dropbox domain
3. Update or whitelist antivirus
1. Update your antivirus (ESET users fixed it by updating ESET)
2. Add Dropbox to firewall exceptions
4. Reinstall with the offline installer
1. Uninstall Dropbox, restart, and install the offline installer from dropbox.com
5. Use the web in the meantime
1. Access files at dropbox.com while troubleshooting

This guide also covers

dropbox can't establish secure connection
dropbox cannot establish a secure connection
dropbox secure connection error

Still not working?

If Dropbox keeps failing, you're not alone. See every Dropbox problem users report or the alternatives people switch to.

Other Dropbox errors