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Forum Discussion
Files stuck "downloading", PC not syncing, CPU overloading!
A couple of days ago I noticed that my Dropbox sync was "downloading 11 files" for a long time. I could not figure out which files (because there's apparently no direct way to do so) but I went looki...
- In case someone in the future is having this problem: the Dropbox team helped me pinpoint the cause. Yahoo Groups recently offered to send a zip file of files from Groups that they were closing down, and I had unzipped this on my PC. However, these files had names ending with spaces, and once those get onto your system, Windows can't delete/move/rename them. Once I deleted them with a shell command, Dropbox stopped trying to sync them.
Daphne
Dropbox Staff
Dropbox StaffHey Karl H.4, I hope you're well today!
It seems that the app is trying to sync the files due to the high CPU usage, but is unable to process this. Can you try the following to see if this does the trick:
- Click the Dropbox icon in your system tray.
- Click the profile pic/initials icon in the top right of the window.
- Choose "Preferences..."
- Go to the "Account" tab.
- While holding the Space bar key, click "Fix Permissions".
If this doesn't resolve the issue, please follow the steps again and instead click "Fix Hardlinks".
You'll get a little prompt when the action has been completed, and the app might need a short time just to apply the change and continue syncing so please allow a short period of time to see if there is progress in the sync status.
Let me know how it goes!
I have the same problem, but your solution does not help.
When I go to the Account Tab, there is no "Fix Permissions" or "Fix Hardlinks" button to click at all. Only and option to unlink the Dropbox from my computer.
- Daphne
Thanks for joining us rpbergman!
Just to double check with you, when you go to the "Account" tab can you try clicking in the blank space in that window and then hold the space bar key to see if the options appear?
You may need to hold down the space bar key for a short amount of time before you see the option. Please be careful not to mistakenly unlink your account.
Can you let me know what the sync status is showing you exactly? Do you not see the number of syncing files decreasing at all?
Also, which version of the desktop app do you currently have installed?
Let me know what you find!
Daphne,
Same problem here. Status icon rollover showed:
Dropbox 95.4.441
Uploading 1 file...
Downloading 12 files (0.0 Kb/sec, 2+ days)
I could not get Dropbox to upload the 1 file or download the 12 files and my CPU was going crazy. I could never find any 'fix links' button under Account.
Here is how I solved it:
Found two folders without green check marks that are part of a higher-level subfolder that is shared. These subfolders were created by the other person I shared with. First, I unshared the higher-level folder that includes the two unsynched folders (I let the other person keep a copy). I then closed DropBox and moved the higher level folder to my Desktop (outside of DropBox). I then re-opened DropBox and after a fairly lengthy process of syncing, it now shows "Up to date" and my CPU is no longer going crazy. Dropbox re-downloaded the folder I had moved to my Desktop. I deleted the folder that Dropbox had downloaded and moved my copy of that folder from Desktop back to where it was in DropBox. After DropBox indexing and re-uploading the contents (about 70 files and subfolders), Dropbox is now "Up to date". I will now re-share the same subfolder and hopefully the problem will not happen again.
Hi Daphne,
When I got to my other PC later, I was feeling optimistic because all of my file changes had synced. However, this morning I am "uploading 22 files, downloading 33 files" and Dropbox is still grinding the CPU. I'm relieved that it's at least syncing again, but something's still wrong. thanks!
Another thing -- I downloaded a file on my other PC last night. I could see it on this PC this morning, but when I tried to open it, I got a pop-up in the lower right saying something about "Smart Sync download." The notification briefly showed that I was downloading 34 files instead of 33, and then it finished and I'm back to 33. What's up with that? I've never used Smart Sync.
- Daphne
Thanks for the updates Karl H.4!
Can you just clarify for me, did the syncing on your desktop app progress and finally show "up to date", or is it stuck again syncing a number of files?
Regarding the Smart Sync notification, it sounds like the file that you tried to open was synced to your device as "online only" rather than locally. Did you happen to see the sync icon before opening the file?
Can you check in the following location if the default for syncing new files on that device is set to "Local" or "Online only":
- Click the Dropbox icon in your system tray.
- Click the profile pic/initials icon in the top right of the window.
- Choose "Preferences..."
- Go to the "Sync" tab.
- Check the settings "Sync new files as".
Keep me posted on your findings!
