Dropbox Permissions Error: Methods Of Recovery

Dropbox is cloud storage which enables you to get the contents saved on it. And, that too from other computers and devices where Dropbox was previously installed using the same account details. Dropbox is supported in Windows, Mac, and the Linux Operating System. Not only that but also the Android and the iOS device users can easily load this facility on their devices. However, many of the desktop users are facing Dropbox permissions error due to some syncing error of certain files. If you are facing this situation then read this article thoroughly. This article will provide you with a total guide for solving the permissions issue for both the Windows, Mac, and Linux Operating System users.

Methods For Solving Dropbox Permissions Error

If you are using Windows, Mac, or Linux Operating System then follow the next section of this article to learn the process of how to solve Dropbox permissions error. So let us not waste time and move directly towards the solutions.

Solving Process Of Dropbox Permissions Error In Windows

Dropbox error in Windows can be solved by the following steps.

Close Dropbox Storage

If the Dropbox cloud storage is already in open in your WIndows then go to the gear like icon on this page. Select the Exit Dropbox option. After that, open the Run command box.

Open Run Command Prompt

Press the Windows key along with the letter R to open the Run Command Prompt. You can also use the Search bar to open the Run box. Press the Windows key to activate the search bar. After that, on the search bar type Run and click on the Enter button. This is also an effective process to open the Run Command Prompt in your Windows Operating System.

Execute “cmd” Command

Now clear the Command bar if any command is already placed on it with the help of the Backspace key. Then on this empty Run command bar type “cmd” and press the Enter button. The Command Prompt window will open.

Enter The Commands To Execute

Now on this Command Prompt window type, or use the copy-paste method to replicate this below command. After placing this below command hit on the Enter button to execute.

  • icals “C:\Users\YourUser\Dropbox” / grant “%USERNAME%” : (F) /T

If your Dropbox is not saved in this “C:\Users\YourUser\Dropbox” location instead “D:\Dropbox”. Then replace this “C:\Users\YourUser\Dropbox” location of the above command with “D:\Dropbox”. Time to complete the execution of this process depends upon the Dropbox size. Wait until the C:\ prompt gets visible. And don’t forget to tap the Enter button after each of these below commands to execute.

  • icacls “%HOMEPATH%\Dropbox” /grant “%USERNAME%” : (F) /T
  • icacls “%APPDATA%\Dropbox” /grant “%USERNAME%” : (F) /T

After executing all these above commands on the Command Prompt window, hit on the Start menu. Navigate to Program Files and select Dropbox. After completing this process you will find that the problem is resolved.

Solving Process Of Dropbox Permissions Error For The Mac Users

Dropbox error in Mac operating device can be solved by the following steps.

Exit The Dropbox Cloud Storage

For the Mac users, the process of fixing the Dropbox error is quite tricky. And the first step for doing this is to exit the Dropbox. Click on the Dropbox from the screen and navigate to the gear like symbol on this window. After that, select on the “Quit Dropbox” option from the dropping menu list.

Utilize Terminal

After closing the Dropbox storage then navigate to this below-stated path to open the Terminal app.

  • /Applications/Utilities/Terminal

As the Terminal app gets open then enter these below commands on it as stated serially. And don’t forget to press Enter after every command.

sudo chflags -R nouchg ~/Dropbox ~/ .dropbox ~/ .dropbox-master

After executing this above command you will face a prompt window where you need to provide your system password (not the Dropbox password). After typing the computer password in the respective field, then click on return.

Note: Here the assumption is made that your Dropbox folder is in the default location and that is ~/Dropbox. But if you place the Dropbox folder in a custom location. And if your custom location is /Volume/DifferentPlace/Dropbox then replace ~/Dropbox with it in every commands line. After executing this first command line in the Terminal window then continue these below commands. And again don’t forget to press the Enter button after every command to execute.

  • sudo chown “$USER” “$HOME”
  • sudo chown -R “$USER” ~/Dropbox ~/.dropbox

Always wait until the commands end with a result. As these above commands get executed, continue with these below commands.

  • sudo chmod -RN ~/.dropbox ~/Dropbox
  • chmod -R u+rw ~/Dropbox ~/.dropbox

If there is any resistance occuring during executing any of these commands, then exit the Terminal window. After that, restart your system and start following these steps again along with the commands.

When the execution of these commands is done successfully restart the Dropbox. Go to the Applications folder and search and click twice on the Dropbox icon. And now you will get the error free Dropbox.

Solving Process Of Dropbox Permissions Error In Linux

If you are getting Dropbox error in your Linux device, then the process of solving this is as follows.

Quit The Dropbox Storage

To initiate this process, go to the Dropbox icon from the menu bar and right click on it. After that hit on Quit from the available options list.

Utilize Terminal

After quitting the Dropbox, open the Terminal window. Now in the Terminal window place the commands as stated below. And remember you need to press the Enter button after every command to execute.

  • sudo chflags -R nouchg ~/Dropbox ~/.dropbox ~/.dropbox-master

Note: Here we are assuming that the Dropbox is located as default. And every command is written on this assumption. But if you have placed the Dropbox folder in a custom location then you need to modify the commands. As an example: If you are locating the dropbox folder in “/Volumes/DifferentPlace/Dropbox” then you need to replace ~/Dropbox with it, in every command lines.

As this first command gets executed then continue with these command lines.

  • sudo chown “$USER” “$HOME”
  • sudo chown -R “$USER” ~/Dropbox ~/.dropbox

And in the middle of these commands execution step if any problem arises then just stop the terminal window. After that, restart your system and continue these whole steps. Hopefully, after your system restarts, you will not face any difficulty at this time. As all these the commands get executed then continue with these commands. Remember to press the Enter button every time after a single command line in the Terminal window.

  • sudo chattr -R -i ~/Dropbox
  • sudo chmod -R u+rw ~/Dropbox ~/.dropbox

After completing these command lines restart your system. As your system turns on, go to the Applications folder and then on the internet. Now under the internet menu open the Dropbox and you will be able to use it without any further error.

All these are the steps for solving Dropbox permissions error. Hopefully, by going through this article in details, you will perform all these solving steps on your own.

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Nathaniel Villa
Nathaniel Villa
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