What causes "Dropbox Not Syncing"?

Desktop app not running or signed in to the wrong account Dropbox account quota or local disk full Folder removed with selective sync Firewall, proxy or antivirus blocking Dropbox Missing Full Disk Access on macOS Unsupported file names (e.g. * or /) or file types (desktop.ini, .ds_store, symlinks) Wrong system date and time File open or locked by another app

How do I fix "Dropbox Not Syncing"?

1. Confirm the app is running and on the right account: Look for the Dropbox icon in the Windows taskbar or Mac menu bar If it's missing, launch Dropbox Click the icon > your avatar and check the signed-in email 2. Check storage and disk space: On dropbox.com open Settings > Plan to see used space Free space on your computer or make large folders online-only Remember shared folders count against your quota 3. Check selective sync: Click the Dropbox icon > avatar > Preferences > Sync Open Selective Sync and make sure the missing folder is ticked 4. Grant Full Disk Access on Mac: Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security Full Disk Access > toggle Dropbox on Accessibility > toggle Dropbox on Quit and relaunch Dropbox 5. Fix file names and close locking apps: Rename files containing characters like * or / Close the file in Office or other editors Uncheck Read-only in file Properties (Windows) or unlock it in Get Info (Mac) 6. Allow Dropbox through firewall, proxy and antivirus: Add Dropbox to the allow list in your antivirus/firewall On corporate networks allow the *.dropbox domain or enter proxy details in Preferences 7. Correct the system date and time: Set date and time to automatic in system settings Restart Dropbox 8. Update or reinstall Dropbox: Download the latest installer from dropbox.com/install If that fails, uninstall Dropbox, restart, and reinstall

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Dropbox Not Syncing

Workaround available Windows, macOS, Linux Updated October 21, 2026

Quick answer

Dropbox usually stops syncing because the desktop app isn't running, storage or disk is full, the folder is excluded by selective sync, or antivirus/permissions block it. Check those first, then update or reinstall the app.

Most likely fix: Confirm the app is running and on the right account.

Symptoms

Files added on one device never appear on others, the tray/menu bar icon shows a sync error or keeps spinning, or dropbox.com has a newer version than your computer.

Why it happens

Desktop app not running or signed in to the wrong account
Dropbox account quota or local disk full
Folder removed with selective sync
Firewall, proxy or antivirus blocking Dropbox
Missing Full Disk Access on macOS
Unsupported file names (e.g. * or /) or file types (desktop.ini, .ds_store, symlinks)
Wrong system date and time
File open or locked by another app

How to fix it

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

1. Confirm the app is running and on the right account
1. Look for the Dropbox icon in the Windows taskbar or Mac menu bar
2. If it's missing, launch Dropbox
3. Click the icon > your avatar and check the signed-in email
2. Check storage and disk space
1. On dropbox.com open Settings > Plan to see used space
2. Free space on your computer or make large folders online-only
3. Remember shared folders count against your quota
3. Check selective sync
1. Click the Dropbox icon > avatar > Preferences > Sync
2. Open Selective Sync and make sure the missing folder is ticked
4. Grant Full Disk Access on Mac
1. Apple menu > System Settings > Privacy & Security
2. Full Disk Access > toggle Dropbox on
3. Accessibility > toggle Dropbox on
4. Quit and relaunch Dropbox
5. Fix file names and close locking apps
1. Rename files containing characters like * or /
2. Close the file in Office or other editors
3. Uncheck Read-only in file Properties (Windows) or unlock it in Get Info (Mac)
6. Allow Dropbox through firewall, proxy and antivirus
1. Add Dropbox to the allow list in your antivirus/firewall
2. On corporate networks allow the *.dropbox domain or enter proxy details in Preferences
7. Correct the system date and time
1. Set date and time to automatic in system settings
2. Restart Dropbox
8. Update or reinstall Dropbox
1. Download the latest installer from dropbox.com/install
2. If that fails, uninstall Dropbox, restart, and reinstall

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