Cloud storage is one of the most important and powerful tools for people and teams that share files or keep them in the cloud. There are different platforms you can use for this today including as Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive, among others
Dropbox is one of the oldest and most popular cloud storage platforms we have today. Unfortunately, users have complained about many issues using Dropbox, key among them being the cloud storage not syncing large files.
So what do you do when a file(s) is not syncing on Dropbox? In this article, we are going to discuss a couple of solutions to this problem.
Check Dropbox’s Compatibility with Operating System
The first thing you need to do is to check whether the operating system you are using is compatible with the version of Dropbox installed on your computer. Your files, whether large or small, will not sync if you are using an outdated operating system and a newer version of Dropbox.
If this is the case, then make sure to update your operating system to the latest version. In addition, check for the compatibility of the file that is not syncing. You might find certain types of files or even files with malware are the cause of your problems.
To ensure that this is not the issue, you can upload a different file and see if it syncs. If it does, then you have the cause of your problems. If not, then you can try the other solutions discussed in this article.
Ensure You Have a Stable Internet Connection
Having made sure that your problems are not coming from Dropbox and operating system compatibility issues, you need to check if you have a stable internet connection. If you have a poor connection, large files will not sync since they need a fast and reliable connection.
You can start troubleshooting your network connection by restarting your router. To do this, turn it off and disconnect it from the power supply. You should also turn off the connection on all other devices that you are using.
Restart your router, and if using a wireless connection, ensure that your device is close to the router. Try syncing the file now to see if it works. You can also try a different cloud storage service to see if it works. If the issue is your internet connection, you can use a different internet service provider.
Use a Cloud Storage Solution that Supports P2P Architecture
P2P, or simply peer-to-peer architecture allows different devices to directly share files, no matter their sizes. In this architecture, you will not find a middle server, like the one used by Dropbox when syncing files across other devices.
One of the best cloud storage solutions supporting the P2P architecture is Resilio. When syncing large files, Resilio ensures that the file is split into different blocks that can be transferred independently to different destinations.
This architecture gives Resilio an edge over Dropbox, especially when syncing large files. So, if you are occasionally uploading and syncing large files, you might find it better to start using other solutions that make work easier for you.
Use the Right File Names
You also need to make sure that the file you are trying to sync uses the right file name. If you have named your file using incorrect extensions, Dropbox will not be able to sync it and might throw an error.
You can look at the kind of file extensions that Dropbox supports and make sure that you have used the right one with your file. In case you are using an unsupported file name, you can rename the file and then try syncing again.
To check your file name extension, simply locate the file and check its properties. You will see the extension it uses. Some of the symbols and extensions you should avoid include : (Colon), * (Asterisk), . (Period), ” (Double Quotes), | (Vertical Bar), and ? (Question Mark).
Use Dropbox Selective Sync
Dropbox comes with a function known as Selective Sync. This function allows users to get rid of some of their Dropbox files from their local drives. However, these files can be found on the Dropbox server.
However, you need to be careful when using Dropbox Selective Sync especially due to synchronization issues. This is for those who use this function frequently.
Using Selective Sync, sync all your folders and files to make sure that the data on your local device and the Dropbox cloud is the same. After that, check to see if Dropbox is now syncing large files.
There are different reasons for Dropbox not syncing large files. One of the fixes above should solve the problem for you.