Troubleshoot: Dropbox Not Syncing on Windows 11 (7 Ways)

Why Dropbox Stops Syncing?

Dropbox can fail to sync on Windows 11 for several technical reasons, ranging from simple configuration issues to system-level restrictions. Here are the most common reasons why Dropbox will not sync:

📍 Network problems or connectivity restrictions

📍 Insufficient local or cloud storage

📍 Outdated or corrupted Dropbox app

📍 Selective Sync misconfigurations

📍 Conflicting file names or locked files

📍 Permission errors or moved Dropbox folder

📍 Windows 11 security features blocking access

How to Fix Dropbox Not Syncing on Windows 11

In this part, I’ll walk you through how to fix Dropbox sync pending on Windows 11. Here are 7 solutions for your reference.

Method 1: Confirm Internet Connectivity and Speed

A stable internet connection is the foundation of successful Dropbox syncing. Even minor interruptions can cause files to stall or fail altogether.

1. Test your connection – Open a browser and load several websites to ensure your network is working.

2. Restart your router – Power-cycle your modem/router to refresh the network.

3. Disable VPN or proxy – These tools may block Dropbox servers or throttle speeds.

4. Run a speed test – Dropbox works best with at least a few Mbps of upload bandwidth.

5. Switch networks – If possible, connect to another Wi-Fi network or use a mobile hotspot to rule out ISP issues.

Method 2: Check Local or Cloud Storage

Dropbox will not sync any files if your device or cloud account has run out of space. Windows 11 also requires some free storage for temporary cache files during syncing.

👉 Check local storage (Windows 11):

1. Open Settings > System > Storage.

2. Ensure your system drive has sufficient free space (ideally 5–10 GB minimum).

3. Clear temporary files or move large files to another drive if space is low.

👉 Check Dropbox cloud storage:

1. Visit the Dropbox web dashboard and check your account quota.

2. If you’re nearing your limit, delete unneeded files or upgrade your plan.

3. Empty Dropbox’s Deleted files section to free up additional space.

Method 3: Reinstall the Dropbox Desktop App

Outdated or corrupted Dropbox installations are a common cause of sync failures, especially after major Windows 11 updates. Follow the steps below to reinstall the Dropbox desktop app:

1. Press Win + I > Apps > Installed apps.

2. Find Dropbox, click Uninstall, and remove all related components.

3. Restart your PC.

4. Download the latest version from the Dropbox website and reinstall it.

5. Sign in again and allow Dropbox to rebuild the index.

Method 4: Reset Dropbox Sync Settings

Misconfigured sync settings—especially Selective Sync—can prevent certain folders from appearing or updating on Windows 11. Resetting these settings ensures Dropbox syncs everything you expect.

Step 1: Verify Selective Sync

1. Click the Dropbox icon in the system tray.

2. Click on the user's avatar and select Preferences.

3. In the Preferences window, click Sync. In the Selective sync section, click Select folders to review the folder list.

4. Make sure the folders you want are checked. If a folder is unchecked, Dropbox will not sync it to your PC.

Step 2: Reset sync configuration

If syncing is still inconsistent:

1. Sign out of Dropbox from the desktop app.

2. Restart Windows 11.

3. Sign back in to refresh the local database. This action forces Dropbox to rebuild its sync index and often resolves stubborn or missing-file issues.

Method 5: Fix File Path Issues

Dropbox can stop syncing files when their paths or names violate platform limits. Windows 11 and Dropbox both enforce file naming rules that, when broken, result in sync failures.

Common file path problems:

• File path too long (over 260 characters)
• Special characters not allowed (?, *, |, <, >, :)
• Files with trailing spaces or periods
• Files locked or in use by another program
• Nested folders too deep within the directory tree

How to fix these issues:

1. Shorten long folder paths – Move deeply nested folders closer to the root directory.

2. Rename files with unsupported characters – Use letters, numbers, spaces, hyphens, or underscores.

3. Remove trailing spaces or periods – Right-click > Rename and clean up the filename.

4. Close programs using the file – Ensure no app (Word, Photoshop, Excel, etc.) has the file open.

Dropbox usually marks these problematic files with a red X icon. Fixing the path or name allows syncing to resume immediately.

Method 6: Fix Permission Errors

Permission problems often occur when users move the Dropbox folder manually, adjust NTFS permissions, or use third-party cleanup tools that modify access rights. If Dropbox can’t write to its own folders, syncing will stop.

Step 1: Confirm Dropbox folder ownership

1. Right-click the Dropbox folder > Properties.

2. Open the Security tab. Ensure your Windows account has Full control.

3. If not, click Edit and grant the necessary permissions.

Step 2: Avoid moving the Dropbox folder manually

Always use the Dropbox app’s built-in feature:

1. Go to Preferences > Sync.

2. In the Dropbox folder location section, click Change location to safely relocate the Dropbox directory.

Method 7: Adjust Windows 11 Security Settings

Windows 11 includes multiple security layers designed to block unauthorized apps from accessing protected folders. While these features help prevent malware, they can accidentally restrict Dropbox from reading, writing, or syncing files. Adjusting these settings often resolves unexplained sync failures.

👉 Disable Controlled Folder Access

1. Press Win + S and type Windows Security to open it.

2. Go to Virus & threat protection. Then click Manage ransomware protection.

3. Find Controlled folder access and move the switch to Off to disable it.

👉 Adjust Firewall Rules

1. Open Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Defender Firewall.

2. Select Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.

3. Look for Dropbox in the list. Ensure both Private and Public boxes are checked.

4. If Dropbox is missing, click Change settings > Allow another app to add it manually. This ensures Dropbox can communicate freely with its servers.

Bonus: Best Free Tool to Sync Files to Dropbox

If you find Dropbox’s native syncing unreliable or want more control over when and how files are synced, AOMEI Backupper Standard is a solid, free alternative. It works with cloud folders like Dropbox as if they were local folders, as long as the Dropbox desktop app is installed.

Download AOMEI Backupper and follow the steps below to sync PC files to Dropbox:

Step 1. Open AOMEI Backupper and choose Sync → Basic Sync to start a new sync task.

Step 2. Click Select Source to choose the folder(s) on your PC as the source.

Step 3. Click the destination box to choose your local Dropbox folder (usually in C:\Users\Username\Dropbox).

Step 4. Enable Schedule Sync as necessary. Then click Start Sync to let AOMEI copy the source folder’s content into Dropbox.

To Sum Up

When Dropbox stops syncing on Windows 11, the issue is usually tied to network problems, storage limits, outdated software, incorrect sync settings, or Windows security restrictions. You can try the solutions offered in this article to get it fixed.

If syncing remains unreliable, using a free tool like AOMEI Backupper Standard offers a dependable way to mirror your files into the Dropbox folder for safe cloud backup. What’s more, AOMEI Backupper is all-around backup and restore software for Windows 11/10/8/7. Why not try it now?