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prc87's avatar
prc87
Helpful | Level 6
4 years ago

Help! "Couldn't start Dropbox" error (Mac & Big Sur)

Dropbox won't start on my MacBook Air (13" 2018), with Big Sur 11.3.1. Have uninstalled dropbox and reinstalled. Same error Uninstalled again, advanced re-install. Same error AFAIK, vanilla ins...
Desktop
Error Messages
Mac
Setting up the apps
  • prc87's avatar
    prc87
    4 years ago

    Ran these changes, but no different.

     

    Tried once more, after double-checking firewall off.

     

    uninstall DB

    reboot

    delete DB folders from local storage, and empty bin

    reboot

    search and delete every 'dropbox' named file in ~/library

    reboot

    advanced reinstall

    reboot

    logoff DB on webclient

    reboot

    start DB

    login

    accept all vanilla (recommended) options

    and it started and seems to be sync-ing correctly.

     

    Not sure what changed this time around, but DB seems to be working again. 

     

    Thanks for your help.

LBG01's avatar
LBG01
Explorer | Level 3

I already tried this- twice.  Same problem.

 

Megan's avatar
Megan
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
4 years ago
Would it be possible for me to reach out via email, LBG01? 

I'd be happy to see more info on it there.
  • LBG01's avatar
    LBG01
    Explorer | Level 3
    4 years ago

    Sure.  Send me your email.  Any help figuring this out would be appreciated.

    • Megan's avatar
      Megan
      Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
      4 years ago
      Hi LBG01!

      You should have an email from me, in order for us to look into this.

      Reply back, and I'll see you there!
    • LBG01's avatar
      LBG01
      Explorer | Level 3
      4 years ago

      OK

      • prc87's avatar
        prc87
        Helpful | Level 6
        4 years ago

        After experiencing the ‘could not start’ problem with Big Sur, and fixing it, the problem resurfaced when upgrading to Monterey. 

         

        The solution, for us, was to

        1. Decommission the BitDefender anti-ransomware (one aspect of which prevents new software from running unless approved)
        2. Remove dropbox completely from the computer
        3. Reboot
        4. Do the advanced dropbox install
        5. Reboot
        6. Reinstate BitDefender
        7. ‘Whitelist’ dropbox within BitDefender
        8. Reboot

        All applications, including both BitDefender and dropbox started correctly, and they seem to be operating correctly too.

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