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Can't download files from Dropbox

  • 5 replies
  • 2 have this problem
  • 13 views
  • Last reply by JRDisplays

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I have 2 computers on the same network. Both run windows 7 and both have the latest version of firefox.

When I receive a dropbox link and click on it both computers will open the link fine in firefox however when I attempt to download the file, it works fine on one pc but the other displays a small red box at the top that says "download failed".

If i paste that same link into an "in private" session, the download works. Any ideas??

I have 2 computers on the same network. Both run windows 7 and both have the latest version of firefox. When I receive a dropbox link and click on it both computers will open the link fine in firefox however when I attempt to download the file, it works fine on one pc but the other displays a small red box at the top that says "download failed". If i paste that same link into an "in private" session, the download works. Any ideas??

All Replies (5)

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Could it be the download allows one connection at a time?

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JRDisplays said

When I receive a dropbox link and click on it both computers will open the link fine in firefox however when I attempt to download the file, it works fine on one pc but the other displays a small red box at the top that says "download failed".

If i paste that same link into an "in private" session, the download works.

I guess that means you do not need to be logged in to Dropbox to use the download link, or do you have to log in again in the private window?

In your "regular" window:

Cache and Cookies: When you have a problem with one particular site, a good "first thing to try" is clearing your Firefox cache and deleting your saved cookies for the site.

(1) Clear Firefox's Cache

See: How to clear the Firefox cache

If you have a large hard drive, this might take a few minutes.

(2) Remove the site's cookies (save any pending work first). While viewing a page on the site, try either:

  • right-click (on Mac Ctrl+click) a blank area of the page and choose View Page Info > Security > "Clear Cookies and Site Data"
  • (menu bar) Tools > Page Info > Security > "Clear Cookies and Site Data"
  • click the padlock or "i" icon in the address bar, then the ">" button, then More Information, and finally the "Clear Cookies and Site Data" button

In the dialog that opens, you will see one or more matches to the current address so you can remove the site's cookies individually without affecting other sites.

Then try reloading the page and, if necessary to get the file, log back into Dropbox. Does that help?

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JRDisplays said

I have 2 computers on the same network. Both run windows 7 and both have the latest version of firefox. When I receive a dropbox link and click on it both computers will open the link fine in firefox however when I attempt to download the file, it works fine on one pc but the other displays a small red box at the top that says "download failed". If i paste that same link into an "in private" session, the download works. Any ideas??

JRDisplays said

I have 2 computers on the same network. Both run windows 7 and both have the latest version of firefox. When I receive a dropbox link and click on it both computers will open the link fine in firefox however when I attempt to download the file, it works fine on one pc but the other displays a small red box at the top that says "download failed". If i paste that same link into an "in private" session, the download works. Any ideas??

WestEnd said

Could it be the download allows one connection at a time?
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it is not necessary to be logged into dropbox for this link to work. but even so only one computer is attempting the download at a time.

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jscher2000 said

JRDisplays said
When I receive a dropbox link and click on it both computers will open the link fine in firefox however when I attempt to download the file, it works fine on one pc but the other displays a small red box at the top that says "download failed".

If i paste that same link into an "in private" session, the download works.

I guess that means you do not need to be logged in to Dropbox to use the download link, or do you have to log in again in the private window?

In your "regular" window:

Cache and Cookies: When you have a problem with one particular site, a good "first thing to try" is clearing your Firefox cache and deleting your saved cookies for the site.

(1) Clear Firefox's Cache

See: How to clear the Firefox cache

If you have a large hard drive, this might take a few minutes.

(2) Remove the site's cookies (save any pending work first). While viewing a page on the site, try either:

  • right-click (on Mac Ctrl+click) a blank area of the page and choose View Page Info > Security > "Clear Cookies and Site Data"
  • (menu bar) Tools > Page Info > Security > "Clear Cookies and Site Data"
  • click the padlock or "i" icon in the address bar, then the ">" button, then More Information, and finally the "Clear Cookies and Site Data" button

In the dialog that opens, you will see one or more matches to the current address so you can remove the site's cookies individually without affecting other sites.

Then try reloading the page and, if necessary to get the file, log back into Dropbox. Does that help?

Tried clearing cache and cookies. no luck.