I am looking at my drop box through my browser, everything is there and up to date. I'm also looking at my drop box on my computer, it says everything is there, no syncing icons, just a big bag of green ticks. but one does not equal the other. whats on my computer isn't whats in my drop box. I am missing folders and files. there needs to be a refresh button or right click option to force a refresh of folder contents on your computer. After much mucking around I paused the sync (even though it said there was nothing to sync) restarted the sync and bingo they appeared. no downloading, just there as if they'd been there all along. This also happens when I save a image or file into the drop box folder on my computer, if I then go find that image/file in an application such as indesign or photoshop its not there, as in it won't appear in the window dialog. But if I go to the finder and look for it, its there. Syncing like that is really slow or is non existent. So freaking frustrating.

Maybe 99,999,999 other users just haven't questioned it yet. I'm just trying to raise an issue that I have, and maybe other people have too. But you seem intent on believing that dropbox is completely bugfree. Do you work for drop box? because the way you are writing indicates that you do. and frankly your professionalism is pretty poor.

I have a similar problem, and I'm on a PC. Two computers both showing Dropbox sync is up to date, but they differ... For some reason the files on my laptop are not syncing. I would like to see a 'force sync' button too Dave C..!!

The computer is a iMac 5K with 24gb of ram and is 4 months old. it runs flawlessly and gives me no other issues, hickups or snags. I don't see how it can be a faulty computer when the only issue I have is dropbox.

My work around is to not leave Sync running Only when I get up to go somewhere or attend a meeting I turn it on. If it was more customisable with functions like 1 sync between times ie 5pm and 8pm 2 sync when computer not in use or when screen saver is running 3 sync and when done shutdown computer these would be very helpful.

One again, I also have this issue. I use dropbox for backup of CAD data usually before an update to the CAD software. If it isn't in sync then this could cause me huge issues. A sync button to force this with confirmation should be simple to implement and I for one would prefer this.

how about a force sync/refresh button?

brad b.7
New member | Level 1
9 years ago
I hit this all the time, too, on my Windows machines. Usually it's not an issue, but it's frustrating when I need to sync a file quickly between two machines (kind of the whole point of DB). The Pause Sync workaround works, but I have to do it all ALL the devices I need to sync. DB needs a Force Master Sync button...
Wayne J.8
New member | Level 1
9 years ago
I have found the best way round this dump Dropbox sync app. Loooong story.

Because of all the issues I have had with apps and explorer failing because of dropbox I decided to remove Dropbox app off my PC and look elsewhere for a solution. I am now using a free application to sync my entire Data drive to a folder on a NAS

Yet another thing Dropbox app is incapable of doing But FREE open source apps have no problems doing it.

Anyway now my explorer works perfectly and does not crash on right click send mail and my expensive applications no longer have issues with their files being synced while I am trying to do work.

So now to sync with Dropbox, to that end I have another low spec PC that is running Dropbox app and it syncs to Dropbox. Small problem Dropbox app will not sync to mapped drives?????. Anywho I had to find a work around get it to look like a folder on a local drive. I can post this if anyone needs to know how to do.

So now I don't need to worry about a force sync button, it just takes a while for the data to get to Dropbox.

ALL this just because Dropbox app is not quite right or finished or what ever other excuse / misdirection tactic Dave C or anyone else wants to give us.

signed not so impressed customer....
Kevin N.20
New member | Level 1
9 years ago
I run a small business on Dropbox and it's a nightmare. A new staff member joined last week and before he had even stepped into the office I explained to him the kind of syncing issues that happen every single day. I would love to see a force refresh button. Dave C can get off his high horse about it!
Roger M.6
New member | Level 2
9 years ago
I'm having the issue too. Dave C - Are we all imagining it? I saved my document before I left work, and 6 hours later it is not on my "up to date" dropbox at home. How can I force a sync? The "pause sync" idea didn't retrieve my file.

Some real help - 24/7 phone support is needed - this isn't a start-up anymore. BTW, yes, I'm on the paid service, not the free. If they're taking my money, asking for support is not a stretch.
Frank F.4
New member | Level 1
9 years ago
Hopefully Dave C, never works for any company, vendor, or client I have to interact with: his comments and attitude were just WAAAY too unreasonable. And Dave C appears to be inexperienced because any developer would know: synchronization issues are common on any service that is dependent upon synchronization ... Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and so on.

What Dave C seems to be unaware is: in every other environment, they have given the user the ability to trigger a manual sync and such. For example, I uploaded some files from my iphone to Dropbox (why? because of the idiotic idea that iOS does not support a commonly accessible filesystem across apps). So three hours later, they still haven't arrived. I would have expected some right-click, manual re-sync feature. I tried starting Dropbox from the Start menu, but that had not effect. Anyway, now 10 minutes later (for some reason) the files are starting to doiwnload.

I agree with one of the the writers above, the long-term solution is some open-source tool to do this. And if it isn't working, at least we have source code to debug the problem.
David k.120
New member | Level 1
9 years ago
Having the same syncing issue and for whatever reason, I need to force a sync since my files are showing up everywhere but on my PC. I know if I reboot, things will be fine. I just don't want to reboot at the moment. I vote for a force-sync button too. It would help when odd things occur. Sure it may not be DB's fault, but the button would be a great help!
Dan G.34
New member | Level 1
9 years ago
Similar problem. I have a 5MB VeraCrypt encrypted folder I use to store a few Excel & Word files. VeraCrypt creates a 5MB file on my dropbox. I have a Windows 10 laptop and a 5k iMac that use the same account for access. The file size of the encrypted folder will never change, same for the date. So not sure if that is why DB isn't doing any syncs for me. I've tried pausing sync & then letting it run again multiple times. Never syncs. Only way it works for me is if I move the file off DB and then put it back. Kinda defeats the purpose though... So a "manual sync" would definitely help me out too...
Jack B.23
New member | Level 1
9 years ago
One more vote for the Force Sync feature. Still waiting (>1 hr.) for a file to sync from dropbox.com to my system. Pause and Resume Syncing has no effect.

Also a vote for a bit more civility in the forum.
Ian P.16
New member | Level 2
9 years ago
The likes of Dave C are why IT Support has such an appalling name in the wider world. In the words of HAL 9000 "You don't want to do that Dave..."

Not only do I pause and restart the app to force syncing, I've had to resort to also moving and moving back files to force a sync.

"Hello Dave. Wouldn't a re-sync button be easier"

Rgds HAL 9000
G J.
New member | Level 1
9 years ago
vote for resync button!

All computers have a last sync 1 minute ago.. but still waiting when file is synchronised an hour ago.. and its a file around 10kb in file size.

quit box, restart box did the trick for me... but thats not how it supposed to work..