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Forum Discussion
Couln't download. Remove incompatible characters from the filename
Recently all of my computer with Dropbox have started showing a sync error "Couln't download. Remove incompatible characters from the filename. e.g. emojis, /\"<>:|?*"
The problem filename isn't shown, the "Go to File" link just takes me to the root directory of my drive, and I obviously can't search for those bad characters. How do I find this file to solve the sync issue?
Hey Roy2010, no worries let me share Sam's response here as well.
Hi everyone,
Sharing an update on the topic: our team is working on adjusting this, and it's expected to roll out in our next Stable Build (V190).
You can check our releases here, and we'll keep you informed on the progress.
Thanks,
Sam
I appreciate your patience on this, thank you!
I'm getting sync errors, but not sure why.
Presumably it's because of the ~ character at the end. (This character is fairly common in the Unix world as they are created by apps like emacs as backup copies of the previous version of a file that's been changed.)
It's not 100% clear since ~ isn't listed in the character examples.
More importantly, how do I fix this? How can I exclude these files, e.g. with wildcard rules, from having Dropbox try to sync them?
I don't want to keep getting sync errors every day.
Dropbox v189.3.8308 (beta)
macOS 13.6.2 (Ventura, ARM)
Hi there
I just got a "Couldn't sync files" notification which points to a folder with the following name:
.~
Why do I get the notification now? The folder has a time stamp from 2010 and has not changed its location in the last couple of years. So if this folder is trouble for Dropbox this should have been complained about a few years ago (I'm with Dropbox for some time).
Has Dropbox recently changed its policy about disallowed characters in filenames???
43 sync errors this morning! All due to tilde in filename. Also on version -8395
I have received an error report in the last couple of weeks from my Dropbox stating that files could not be downloaded due to incompatible characters.
These files are mostly archives and some are over 5 years old.
It is not possible to save a file with incompatible characters.
Has Dropbox got a problem they need to tell us about?
Has someone made a programming error that has created incompatible characters where none existed?!!
Has anyone else in the Community had the same error?
Several of our staff have the same problem.
Can we please get some help to fix these files!!
It will take weeks to go through every single file and fix the errors !!!
I'm having this issue, too. Similarly to what other users have reported, the files are about ten years old and I have a huge number of them. As someone pointed out, the ~ is very common in file names on Linux systems. Renaming them is not an acceptable solution for a number of reasons. This is a bug that affects many paying users and it should be fixed!
I'm experiencing the issue on an Intel Mac with MacOS 13.5.2 and Dropbox version v189.4.8395That is the root issue and yes I agree should be fixed. But it has been documented and so users know what to do. Thus is a feature not a bug.
But that is not the bug that we in this thread want to solve.
The issue is that if Dropbox reports them as any error. It suggests that you delete the files. I have done so but the errors are still being reported.
This has been posted previously in different ways but I think it needs to be pursued a bit more.
I am tired of continuing to see the "red notification" on the dropbox icon in the menu bar (MacOS). The notice continually reports that it cannot sync files, but even though it shows you the option to locate those files, clicking on the link does not do anything, even when you have set up preferences to see hidden files. Therefore, you cannot resolve this and you continue to get the error message. There needs to be a way to stop the error message, but one cannot resolve it if we cannot find the files it seems to be referencing.
- Jay
Dropbox Staff
Hi brunoyouknow, thanks for bringing this to our attention.
Could you provide more information about what you're experiencing exactly?
A screenshot would help us greatly. This will help me to assist further!
You click itYou see this in your menu barIt shows this, and you cannot do anything about them. Can't find them, can't delete them.
I have a rather annoying (and consistent) problem with dropbox uploads. It's a constant reminder that I have files that dropbox tells me that
"Couldn't upload. Remove incompatible characters from the filename..."
But as my screenshot show, there are no incompatible characters actually (as far as I can see, unless dropbox counts unicode Korea as "incompatible.")
Moreover, one of the files does not even seem to exist (the final file without the icon), as when I click "Go to file," nothing happens.
What am I supposed to do here?
For what it's worth, I'm using MacOS Monterey, version 12.3.1
My dropbox app version is v148.4.4519
Due to my own preference, I've disabled "dropbox system extension" but the problem existed even when I had the extension turned on.
Hello,
Thanks to anyone that can help. I have been searching the community files and found nothing so far.
I am looking for help to solve a sync issue that references 1 file and 1 folder but will not link to either so I can resolve the issue.
From the notification Sync History - couldn't sync files - view now link.
- This opens the sync issues window where 2 issues are shown.
- one file with view file link and learn more link - the view file link goes no where - does not open anything.
The other is a folder - with 2 links as well, go to folder and learn more - the go to folder also does not go anywhere.
I have searched my computer for this folder and file and cannot find.
I just want to delete them and stop the notifications.
I can provide screen shots and I really appreciate any help. I am also on a Mac - OS 13.6.3
Thanks,
- Megan
Hey there, Gordo1, thanks for posting here!
If you have some screenshots, they'd definitely be more than welcome.
Also, if you search for the content online, are you able to locate them there?
I would like for you to locate your Dropbox icon, on the menu bar, next to your WiFi and date and hover your mouse there. That should give you the version of the app.
Let me know more, and we'll take it from there!
Hello Megan,
Thank you for replying and any help.
The version of the Dropbox App is 189.4.8395 and says its up to date.
Attachments:
ss-01 - the notification on the desktop.
ss-02 the pop-up window when notification is clicked.
I have tried clicking the link to "view file" and "go to folder" but I do not get any result.
I have searched online for this content and so far I have not been able to locate the file or the folder. Please help me with next steps, I really appreciate it.
Best,
Gordon
- Walter
Hey Dimples, sorry to hear about this.
Can you please let me know the app's exact status and version as shown in your system tray/menu bar?
Also, could you check your account on our website and see if you have any files containing any incompatible characters?
Let me know what you find!
Hello,
Since a couple of weeks, I get a red notification on my Dropbox app on MacOS' menu bar. (see screenshots).
On the Sync History tab, there is a warning message saying "Couldn't sync files".
When I click on "View sync issues" I get the list of files that can't be sync'ed but the issue description is vague and does not help with troubleshooting, as it reads: "Dropbox can't sync this file or folder".
When I click on "View file" I am taken to the Finder where I see that indeed the problematic file has a "warning" dropbox icon attached to it.
Unfortunately, the cause remains unknown to me, as this is no special characters in the file's title, nor permissions differences when the other files from the same folder which sync properly.
Can you help?
Best regardsHi,
Mac Mini 2018, MacOS 14.1.2, Dropbox 189.4.8395.
I've started getting a sync issue in the dropdown menu in the menubar for Dropbox. The message says "can't sync files" and the file in question is the .dropbox file (which is invisible).
I use Pathfinder and Finder but the file is not set to be visible in either of them.
Not sure what has generated this issue.
I've quit and restarted DropBox but no change
Any thoughts?
Cheers
Iain
Hi Walter,
thanks for reaching out.
My computer shuts down after backing up daily so there have been a few restarts since this started happening.
CheersIain
So anyone else having issues with Dropbox not being able to sync *.playground files from XCode? I have no issues in OneDrive, Google Drive or Box. 😕
I use Macs and PCs every day at my desk in my home studio.
I have sync issue notifications for every rtfd file that Apple TextEdit generates for text files with images.
On the Mac this is one file, online and in synced PCs it is a folder containing the text and the images as separate files. Ok, understand, fine...
My issue is that this generates Sync Issues for every file, DropBox also notifies you "Couldn't download. Remove incompatible characters from the filename..." The second part is incorrect.
So I have a long list of "Sync Issues" even though technically, the file is synced and there is not loss of data etc.
I would very much appreciate the ability to turn off or have select "ignore" (by group even) for said files to eliminate these sync warnings that are distracting and not really accurate.
Thank you very much for those from DB who may monitor issues presented in this community.
cheers,
-Jon
- Megan
Hi JonM2, welcome to our Community, and happy 2024!
Can you send me a screenshot of the "Couldn't download" error you keep receiving on your devices, please?
Does it happen on both your PCs and Mac devices too? If you could also give me some example file/folder names that this happens to, I'd appreciate it.
Keep me posted, and we'll take it from there!
Hi yes, will do, my apologies for not supplying appropriate troubleshooting data. Both mac and pc have "sync issues" selection under clicking on the task bar/doc dropbox icon. I have resolved this issue by removing said files not really needed as well as storing locally. Will reproduce in all fashions with screen grabs etc over the next few business days as my schedule allows for proper trouble shooting purposes. Again, removing the items listed in "sync issues" is my only concern.
