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Forum Discussion
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.
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.
Well the only way I have found to delete a folder is to:
1. at each device go to preferences, selective sync and uncheck the folder.
2. after removing the folder from each device with this method, log on the the web based access to dropbox.
3. delete the folder
This will remove the folder from all devices and prevent it from showing up again and again.
@Russell, firstly I would comment that just because you employed an inconvenient workaround it does not negate the fact that the root cause remains unresolved and continues to inconvenience users - you have 'fixed' nothing.
Secondly I would comment that I had already tried your method before I posted to this forum and experienced mixed results; most files did indeed delete whilst a few re-appear a few days later. Irrespective of effectiveness it should not be necessary to do as you (and I) did.
Thirdly please reconsider your appeal to Dropbox to delete posts other than your own (it may amaze you that they will not). This is a "community forum" and perhaps you could reflect upon the meaning of both those words.
Easy solution here :)
Just delete it form the browser! (Not from the local app!)Easy!!
@Casey Sometimes if the folder is empty, it re-appears even after you delete it. My suggestion is that try adding some docs in the folder and then delete it, if that is the case otherwise!
- Thanks. This one finally worked for me
Hi,
I have exactly the same problem and it the issue also started recently - I do not recall seeing this earlier. I note that I have just upgraded to PRO.
I hope we will get a good explanation or answer soon.
@Charles V. : I gave advise for an empty folder option, and a file present folder option.
Which do you have?
Just saying you still have it and nothing else wont do anything to help you out, its like ringing 911 after your last call and repeating you need help and hanging up again without an address supplied.
I had the reappearing folder issue, and in my case, it was caused by deleting the folder on two computers, rather than deleting the folder on one computer, and letting it sync to the other. The folder was filled with subfolders and files, and deleting it on my computer or on the Dropbox site didn't work, it just kept coming back. I finally deleted it by a weird combo of actions, but it may have just required deleting it from my other computer. Not sure if this will aid anyone, but Dropbox Support is pretty helpful, so if you don't get it solved here, contact support! And if support helps you out, can you say what they did, so others can learn from this thread?
@Seetharama D. : excellent additional info, on imagining it, that is very logical, when a folder is erased all the files one by one are ordered removed from the DB cloud, but the not synced folder is never present so is never ordered to be removed. The end result is there is a path to that not synced folder that never is removed from DB so reappears but empty.
@Dave , I am wondering how you knew which machine is uploading the files again?
