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Forum Discussion
Solved
Deleted folders keep reappearing
I'm hoping someone can help with this problem. I have been using Dropbox for a few years across a number of devices (2 desktop Macs, a laptop, an iPhone and an iPad). This last week, when I try to delete a folder it reappears a moment later. If I move it into another folder, the same thing happens. I have checked and all my other devices are switched off or not trying to sync while I am doing this. Any advice on how to stop it?
Thanks!
The web interface should only recreate the folder if a device connected instructs it to.
So one of your devices must not be selectively synced, or has some greater issue.
(1) Check each device to see if the folder is present on the device, and remove it. If it comes back its not that device that ordered it created. If it wont delete then thats the device that cant delete it so orders it recreated. Fix that device.
(2) Failing that, take all devices off line, delete the folder via the web, then bring devices online one by one, and watch for the folder being created, when it is, it was the device you just brought online.
That is problematic, it appears that the files will delete but the folder wont, on the faulting device.
You could try leaving a file in there and then deleteing the folder, it might be regenerated.
I also have the problem:
It's a folder. Deleting it on Mac, Windows or the browser does not make a difference, it always reappears. Creating a file in it and deleting the folder doesn't help, the folder is created empty.
Even when the parent folder is excluded from all my machines (selective syncing), and then deleting it from the DropBox website, does not help. It reappears in the web interface.
The web interface should only recreate the folder if a device connected instructs it to.
So one of your devices must not be selectively synced, or has some greater issue.
(1) Check each device to see if the folder is present on the device, and remove it. If it comes back its not that device that ordered it created. If it wont delete then thats the device that cant delete it so orders it recreated. Fix that device.
(2) Failing that, take all devices off line, delete the folder via the web, then bring devices online one by one, and watch for the folder being created, when it is, it was the device you just brought online.
Make your changes to folders by signing into your account online. You will be able to permanently delete anything when you do it this way. Case closed.
mike v. : that is a totally inaccurate statement, if one of the devices is not able to erase the folder locally (many reasons exist) then the result of a folder delete at any other location (device or web) will be followed by the faulting device restoring the folder as it didn't delete. As it is still present, the device will send a create order to the cloud that is disseminated to all devices.
Ok Dave. Keep doing it your way...
@mike v. : If you dont have anything to add dont comment.
I replied with you're wrong and why, your reply to that amounts to trolling.
crazy, it keeps happening
I can't find any fix, come on dropbox, this is annoying!!
Same here, I tried all the suggestions and nothing changes. I have an empty folder in the root directory and keeps showing up all the time.
I tried the solutions suggested here without success - it turned out there was a file in the folder that was not visible on my mac - so, have a look online and make sure there isn't an "invisible" file causing a problem. When I deleted this file online I was then able to delete the folder on my mac.
