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leoheck's avatar
leoheck
Helpful | Level 6
3 years ago

[Solved, Ubuntu 22.04] Dropbox is always "Connecting..."

Hi, Dropbox tray icon says it is "Connecting..." forever.

 

I cannot see the list of the latest modified files as it used to show or use the tray, actually.

 

I am using Linux Ubuntu 22.04 (but it like that since the 19.10, I suppose)

 

 

The currently installed version of Dropbox is 149.4.4568

 

I also don't have the "Early releases" enabled as you can see in the following screenshot. 

 

I also tried to remove `.dropbox` and `.dropbox-dist` manually to reinstall them cleanly.

You can check the date and time it was reinstalled here.

 

 

 

  • Hey folks,

     

    I found an extension that solves this issue for me. It worked immediately as soon as I installed the extension. No reboot or logout was required.

    I just have to point out I am using Ubuntu 22.04.

    https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/615/appindicator-support/

     

    I was and still also using this extension to display old tray icons. Maybe it is also important.

    https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/2890/tray-icons-reloaded/

     

    Now I am happy again, here is the proof to make you happy too.

     

    Mod note: 

    Please note that Dropbox is only supported on vanilla builds of Ubuntu 14.04 or later, or Fedora 21 or later.

     

    We don't officially support forks or variants of these operating systems, or other flavors of Linux at this time.

     

    You can learn more about our supported distros for Linux here.

  • Nancy's avatar
    Nancy
    Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff

    Hi leoheck, and welcome back to our forum!

     

    As a first, can you please clarify if you have any type of antivirus/firewall on your device that could be preventing the Dropbox app from connecting to our servers? 

     

    Also, did you have any updates recently on your device that could have affected this? When did you start noticing this issue approximately? 

     

    Let me know, and we’ll take it from there.

    • freen's avatar
      freen
      New member | Level 2

      I note that this is marked as "solved" when clearly the problem persists.
      It is reasonable for dropbox to limit the number of distros they support, but given that they provide an installer for ubuntu that exhibits the bug as soon as anyone does anything to change it from its "vanilla" state, they are failing at this.

      My company has a dropbox business account and we use linux.
      We are paying customers and expect a reasonable level of support.
      We are currently considering other options for cloud storage.

      • le_avion's avatar
        le_avion
        Collaborator | Level 8

        It's not only that they do not support their product that we are paying for., they also treat Linux version as 2nd class. We don't get the ability to keep files in the cloud and download them when we try to use them. The Windows version has this option, the Linux version does not and I kept running out of space on my laptop because of this missing feature. After years of using Dropbox, I dropped (pun intended) them. I was testing pCloud for couple of years so I know it is working well and is reliable so I decided to move my files there. Enough is enough.

    • leoheck's avatar
      leoheck
      Helpful | Level 6
      I don't use any antivirus. I don't use any proxy. I use my computer in different networks and everywhere this "connecting..." is always there.

      It is like this since a while. Let's stay for months or a year. I have changed computer already and updated the Ubuntu from 21.04 to 21.10 to 22.04 and the issue is always there.

      I have no idea what is causing this an how I can fix it.

      The files are being updated correctly. But I am constantly worried since I don't have much info if the files are getting updated since the correct information is not being displayed in this outdated tray.
      • alanpmuscat's avatar
        alanpmuscat
        Helpful | Level 6

        Hi All

         

        I also have this issue since I upgraded (full clean install) from Pop!_OS 20.04 LTS to Pop!_OS 22.04 LTS. After installing Dropbox (Version: 149.4.4568) on the upgraded OS the app is constantly stuck indicating "Connecting" even though the Dropbox folder has  updated and synced normally.

         

        Once I realised the issue I followed the instructions found at:  https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/desktop/advanced-reinstall. I performed the instructions twice, both attempts were unsuccessful. Second time around I even deleted my Dropbox folder and reinstalled it from backup just in case there might be some flags or markers set which may be upsetting the tray app.

         

        I do not have a firewall and do not use a proxy. The Dropbox folder is installed on a BTRFS partition under my /home directory. I am also fully compliant with the requirements found at: https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/desktop/system-requirements

         

        I have an instance of the Dropbox app (same version as the one causing the problems) running on another Computer with Pop!_OS 20.04 LTS and this is functioning well and normally.

         

        We really need a solution for this. Please!

         

        Thanks.

  • le_avion's avatar
    le_avion
    Collaborator | Level 8

    Here is the problem: I already went this route multiple times before, submitting all the requested information to no avail. This is why I gave up on Dropbox and moved on.

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