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mspin's avatar
mspin
Explorer | Level 4
3 years ago

Audio Files Cut Out When Playing

I've been having an issue lately (since June) with playing MP3 files from Dropbox where the audio cuts out while playing. It cuts out at the same time stamp each time, so its not randomly cutting off the audio. When I play the MP3 files back on my computer from the hard drive, there is no audio cut off. This is only happening after the file is uploaded to Dropbox and when playing the file from Dropbox. This happens on the Dropbox app on my iPhone, iPad, and when playing the file from the Dropbox website on a computer. I have deleted the file from Dropbox and re-uploaded it but that does not resolve the issue. I have been using Dropbox to store and play MP3 files for many years and never had this problem until recently. It seems that something has changed or there is some kind of bug causing this audio drop out of the file when playing.

 

I can't find any resolutions for this when searching the site. If anyone has any information or suggestions about a resolution, it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

 

  • wnj's avatar
    wnj
    2 years ago

    Walter Jay 

    My problem seems to be resolved
    by CLEARING THE CACHE of the app.

    thank you!!!

  • Hannah's avatar
    Hannah
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

    Hey mspin, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

     

    Can you make sure you have the most recent version of the Dropbox app on your devices and the most recent version of the browser you're using?

     

    Also, are these files saved to your Dropbox account, or are you opening them through a shared link?

     

    And what are the sizes of the files in question?

     

    Let me know and we'll go from there.

    • mspin's avatar
      mspin
      Explorer | Level 4

      Hi Hannah, thanks for replying. I have the most recent version of the Dropbox app installed on my iPhone and iPad which is 294.2.2.

      I use the Firefox web browser which is also at the latest version.

       

      I am playing the files directly from my account, not from a link.

      I open the Dropbox app, select the folder where I have the MP3 file, and select the file to play it.

       

      The sizes of the MP3 files in question are:

      353 MB

      305 MB

      347 MB

      346 MB

       

      Here's little background which might help you. These are DJ mixes which are about 2 1/2 hours long.

      When I play a smaller MP3 file like 140MB, which is also a DJ mix about 1 hour long, there are no issues with the audio cutting out.

      I have been storing and playing DJ mixes from Dropbox for a very long time. This problem seems to have started with the files that are larger or longer than 1 hour of playing time.

       

      I hope this helps. Please let me know if you need more information and thanks again for your assistance!

  • dailyak77's avatar
    dailyak77
    New member | Level 2

    Is there a fix for audio that keeps cutting out while watching the footage? It plays fine in the source, but when I play back on my timeline it keeps falling out.

     
  • Ben72's avatar
    Ben72
    New member | Level 2

    I am having the same issue and don't know what to do about finding a resolution. 

    • Jay's avatar
      Jay
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

      Hi Ben72, can you provide more details about what type of file you're playing, how soon after you start playing that it stops, and any other info in order to assist further?

  • njvaug02's avatar
    njvaug02
    New member | Level 2

    Experiencing same issue for the past year. Not on every file but certainly on enough of them. Clearing cache has no effect. Deleting and redownloading app fresh has no effect. Same exact skips happen on iPad and iPhone apps, but not on source played from hard drive or playing the same file via Dropbox or Replay in a browser. Dropbox, get it together, and please don't suggest that I clear the cache. Had no effect, and same problem is happening on iPad and iPhone, but not in the browser, clearly an app coding problem.

    • Hannah's avatar
      Hannah
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

      Thanks for your feedback here, njvaug02, and sorry to see you're having this issue.

       

      If you save the problem files from the Dropbox app to your device and play them locally from there, do they play correctly?

  • Ljc77's avatar
    Ljc77
    Explorer | Level 3
    I am having the same problem. Certain mp3 files cut out at the same point. Play fine before downloaded and appear to be fine when downloaded but cut out when played through speakers. Any help would be great!!
    • Hannah's avatar
      Hannah
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

      Hey Ljc77, sorry to hear that.

       

      Are you having this issue on a mobile device or a computer?

       

      Are these files saved to your Dropbox account or did someone share them with you through a link?

      • Ljc77's avatar
        Ljc77
        Explorer | Level 3
        Hi Hannah.

        It’s a bit of a long story… I have my file on my laptop and phone. It gets uploaded to an app for a dance comp (and plays fine through the app). The comp organisers download the file to their laptop (and it plays fine from the laptop using VLC). Then on comp day when they play the file and put it through the speakers on stage the music stops about 15 seconds in. This has happened on two separate occasions (uploaded and downloaded twice) and stopped at the exact same time of the music. Very stressful for a young dancer (and their mum, lol). Thanks so much.

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