The information in this article applies to Dropbox desktop app users on Windows.
Note: If you’re not using Windows, see the articles on Dropbox sync icons for the macOS desktop app or Linux.
Sync icons appear in two places:
Check the sync status of a file or folder
Note: If you don't see a sync icon, close all non-Dropbox applications, then quit and reopen the Dropbox desktop app. If the issue continues, restart your computer.
The sync icons you see depend on which sync engine your Dropbox desktop app uses:
To check which sync engine powers your Dropbox desktop app:
Important: If neither message appears in step 4, your account is not eligible for cloud file migration.
A green circle with a white checkmark.
Your file is synced and available offline.
Notes:
All files in the folder are downloaded and available offline.
A white cloud with a gray or blue outline.
Your file is synced but only available online.
There’s at least one online-only file in the folder.
Note: There can also be files that are downloaded and available offline in your folder.
A white circle with a green border and a green checkmark.
There’s at least one available offline file in the folder, but no online-only files.
Note: There may also be files that are available offline in your folder.
A pair of arrows going in a circle.
One of the following applies:
Your folder contains at least one syncing file.
A red circle with a white X.
Your file can’t update or sync.
Your folder can’t update or sync.
A gray circle with a white minus sign.
Your file is ignored and won’t sync.
Your folder is ignored and won’t sync.
Note: When a folder is ignored, this icon only appears on the folder, not on its individual files.
A brown box.
OneDrive is causing a sync conflict.
Note: Explicitly marked by you as available offline.
All files in your folder are online-only.
This doesn’t apply to files.
Your folder contains files that are both online-only and available offline (downloaded).
Note: When a folder is ignored, this icon only appears on the folder—not on its individual files.
Note: To manage files and see which are online only or available offline, open the desktop app, click your avatar (profile picture or initials) in the bottom left, click Sync & storage, then click Manage hard drive space.
You can also check your account's sync status using the Dropbox icon in the taskbar. This is visible when the Dropbox desktop app is running on your computer and it shows the status of your entire account, not just files and folders.
The icon colors may vary, but you’ll see the following icons:
A solid black Dropbox icon with no other icon.
Fully synced
The files and folders on your Dropbox desktop app are fully up to date. Any changes you made are reflected everywhere you access Dropbox.
A solid black circle with two white arrows going in a circle.
Sync in progress
The files and folders on your Dropbox desktop app are updating. Any changes you made are updating everywhere you access Dropbox.
A solid black circle with a white pause icon.
Syncing paused
Changes you make to files and folders on your Dropbox desktop app won’t update everywhere you access Dropbox until you resume syncing.
Learn how to pause and resume file syncing.
A gray Dropbox icon.
Not connected to internet
Changes you make won’t update everywhere until you reconnect to the internet.
Learn why Dropbox might not be connecting.
Note: This icon can also mean the app is starting up or closing down.
A gray Dropbox icon with an X next to it.
An error has occurred
An error has occurred with your Dropbox account during the sync process.
A red circle with a white number.
Unread notifications
You have unread Dropbox notifications.
Learn how to manage notifications.
A gray Dropbox icon with two Zs.
Snooze notifications is on
You’ve turned on Snooze notifications.
A camera icon.
Camera uploads in progress
Your camera roll is being uploaded to Dropbox.
Learn more about camera uploads.
You can also see the sync status of your entire Dropbox account in the lower left of the Dropbox app window. When everything is fully synced, it saya Your files are up to date.
Learn more about how to check your sync status with your desktop app window.
Note: Dropbox Backup users may see slightly different wording on some sync statuses.
In File Explorer, a gray X icon can appear on a file or folder in your Dropbox folder. This is a Windows icon and not a Dropbox icon. It means that your file or folder may not be syncing with Dropbox.
Learn how to fix files or folders that aren’t syncing with Dropbox. If the issue continues, contact Microsoft support.
If you see a brown box icon in the lower left of your file, this is a Windows icon, not a Dropbox icon. It means there is a OneDrive sync error.
To fix this issue, sync your files in OneDrive. If the issue continues, turn-off, disable, or uninstall OneDrive or contact Microsoft support.
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