11 Best Ways to Fix Dropbox Not Connecting or Syncing on Windows 10 Error

Dropbox is a popular cloud storage solution that, for the most part, works right out of the box. But like all applications and software, it generates occasional errors and problems. A common error many users face is that Dropbox doesn't connect or sync on Windows 10 computers.

Some common reasons may be internet or Wi-Fi issues, exhausted bandwidth, corrupt file, or lack of storage space in Dropbox. I hope you have checked these errors before continuing with the guide below.

Let's start.

1. Network troubleshooting

If you encounter network errors, press Windows key + I to open Settings and search for Find and fix network problems.

Select Apply repairs automatically here, then click Next to follow the on-screen instructions after that. If the system detects errors, it will recommend steps to correct them.

2. The file is in use

If the file you are trying to download or synchronize is open in another application, it will not be synchronized. You will need to close the file before it can sync properly. Try it.

3. Restart synchronization

Right click on the Dropbox icon in the system tray, click on your profile picture and select the option Pause sync here.

Wait a few moments, then repeat the same steps to click Resume Synchronization.

This can help you get started with the sync process and fix the Dropbox connection problem for you.

4. Revoked shared folder

One of the main features of cloud storage is the ability to share files and folders with other people. This allows other users to access, view and modify files while on the go. If someone shared a folder or file with you, it would be visible in your main folder. Now, if the folder or file is no longer shared with you and the rights have been revoked, synchronization will no longer work.

Does synchronization work for other files and folders? Can you synchronize new files? Is the shared file / folder still visible? If the answer is no to all or even one of these questions, you know what the problem is.

5. Different folder

Try downloading the same file to another Dropbox folder and see if it helps the synchronization process. If it works, the folder may be corrupt. I suggest moving everything from this folder to a new one.

6. Conflict of spaces

A white space conflict is a common problem that occurs when a user names a file or folder that is identical to the others, except for the extra space somewhere in the name. Dropbox will automatically add the name with the words Space Conflict.

But this may not always happen and you can ignore the error. I suggest that you check files and folders with duplicate names to make sure that none are named identically except for the extra space or white space.

While Dropbox notes that leaving the file / folder with the added name should be correct, several users have encountered a Dropbox sync error on Windows 10 due to this.

7. Selective synchronization settings

Dropbox comes with a selective sync feature where you can choose to sync only certain folders, leaving the rest offline on your computer. Perhaps this is why the folder or files inside this folder are not synchronized?

Right-click the Dropbox icon again in the system tray and select Preferences under the profile picture.

Click the Selective Sync button on the Sync tab.

You can now select the folders or subfolders that you want to synchronize in the following popup window.

When finished, click Update and then Apply to save the changes. Files and folders may take a while to sync, depending on the file size and your Internet speed.

8. Log out and log back in

There is no logout option in the Dropbox app on Windows 10. Instead, you unlink your Dropbox account and then log in again. Right click on the Dropbox icon in the system tray and select Preferences again.

Click Ungroup this Dropbox button under the Account tab. You will then restart your computer once and then go back and add your account. It may take a while before everything synchronizes, so be patient. Check again if Dropbox still doesn't connect or sync.

9. Restart the Dropbox process

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager and look for Dropbox under the Processes tab.

Right-click on all instances of Dropbox here and select End Task. Restart your computer now, then relaunch Dropbox from the Start menu or the desktop shortcut you created to begin the process.

10. Antivirus and firewall

Check which antivirus you are using to make sure that Dropbox has not been blocked. There should be a way to whitelist Windows 10 apps installed somewhere. In the case of Windows Firewall or any other app you use, you need to configure it to make sure it works with Dropbox.

11. Uninstall, advanced reinstall

Uninstalling Dropbox will not delete your files anywhere. Neither in the cloud nor on your computer, so don't worry. Find and open Control Panel in the Start menu.

Find and select Uninstall a program from the search bar.

Find Dropbox here and right click to select the Uninstall option here.

Download the latest stable version of Dropbox from the link below and install it. You will need to connect and configure it before trying to synchronize again.

If Dropbox still doesn't connect or sync on Windows 10, support staff shared a detailed advanced reinstall process. It aims at a clean installation so that old files and other cache data do not generate the same errors as before.

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Drop it in the box

Dropbox is a great cloud storage solution, but it's not the only one on the market. There are others you can try. If Dropbox is causing you problems and you can't fix it, I recommend trying the Google Drive, OneDrive and Box cloud storage platforms.