How to set up and manage Dropbox Backup to automatically back up your computer folders to the cloud

Summary

This guide helps you troubleshoot and resolve: How to set up and manage Dropbox Backup to automatically back up your computer folders to the cloud. Follow the steps below to fix the issue.

Common Causes

Dropbox Backup is a feature that continuously mirrors selected folders from your computer to the cloud, giving you an offsite copy of important files without needing to remember to back up manually. Once configured, it runs quietly in the background and keeps your folders in sync automatically. This guide walks you through setting it up on both Windows and macOS, adjusting which folders are included, and resolving common issues.

Before You Begin

• You'll need an active Dropbox account, signed in on the desktop app.
• Make sure you have the Dropbox desktop app installed and signed in. Download it from dropbox.com/install if you haven't already.
• Ensure your computer is connected to the internet during the initial backup, as the first sync may upload a large amount of data.
• Check that you have enough available storage in your Dropbox account to accommodate the folders you plan to back up.

Set Up Dropbox Backup on Windows

1. Click the Dropbox icon in the system tray (near the clock). If you don't see it, click the small arrow to show hidden icons.
2. Click your avatar in the top-right corner and select Preferences.
3. In the Preferences window, click the Backups tab.
4. Click Set up next to "Back up your folders."
5. A list of common folders will appear, typically including Desktop, Documents, and Downloads. Tick the box next to each folder you want to back up.
6. Click Set up backup to confirm your selection.
7. If prompted, choose whether to keep your folder names as-is or rename them within Dropbox (for example, "Documents (Laptop-Name)").
8. Click Continue and Dropbox will begin the initial upload.

Set Up Dropbox Backup on macOS

1. Click the Dropbox icon in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
2. Click your avatar and choose Preferences.
3. Select the Backups tab.
4. Click Set up beside "Back up your folders."
5. Tick the boxes next to the folders you want to back up, such as Desktop, Documents, and Downloads.
6. Click Set up backup.
7. Decide whether to rename the folders in Dropbox to identify which computer they came from, then click Continue.
8. The initial backup will start automatically. You can close the window and continue using your computer.

Manage Your Backup Folders

You can change which folders are backed up at any time.

Add a Folder

1. Open Dropbox Preferences and go to the Backups tab.
2. Click Add folder.
3. Browse to the folder you want to back up, select it, and click Add.

Remove a Folder

1. Open Dropbox Preferences and go to the Backups tab.
2. Click the three-dot menu next to the folder you want to remove.
3. Select Remove from backup.

Check Backup Status

To confirm your backups are running:

• On Windows, hover over the Dropbox icon in the system tray to see sync activity.
• On macOS, click the Dropbox icon in the menu bar.
• Open Preferences > Backups to see the "Last backup" timestamp for each folder.
• Visit dropbox.com and sign in to view your backed-up files in the Backups section of your account.

Troubleshooting

Backup Is Stuck or Not Progressing

• Check your internet connection. Dropbox Backup requires a stable connection to upload files.
• Make sure the Dropbox desktop app is running. It must be open for backups to occur.
• Restart the Dropbox app: right-click the Dropbox icon (Windows) or click the menu bar icon (macOS) and select Quit Dropbox, then reopen it.
• Check that you have enough storage space in your Dropbox account. If your account is full, the backup will pause.

Files Are Missing from the Backup

• Confirm the folder containing the files is selected in the Backups tab.
• Files larger than your plan's storage limit, or files with certain restrictions, may be skipped. Check the Dropbox Activity tab for any error notifications.
• Hidden files, system files, and files inside other cloud-synced folders (such as OneDrive) are generally not backed up.

Dropbox Icon Is Missing

• On Windows, click the small up-arrow in the system tray to reveal hidden icons, then drag Dropbox to the visible area.
• On macOS, open System Settings > Control Centre and ensure Dropbox is allowed to appear in the menu bar.
• If the app isn't running at all, launch it from the Start menu (Windows) or Applications folder (macOS).

Backup Is Using Too Much Bandwidth

1. Open Dropbox Preferences and go to the Bandwidth tab (Windows) or Network section (macOS).
2. Enable Limit download rate or Limit upload rate and set a cap suitable for your connection.
3. You can also pause syncing temporarily from the Dropbox menu.

Best Practices

• Keep the Dropbox desktop app running whenever your computer is on so backups stay current.
• Don't rely on Dropbox Backup as your only copy of critical data. Follow the 3-2-1 rule: keep three copies of important files, on two different types of media, with one stored offsite.
• Periodically log into dropbox.com and verify your backed-up folders are present and up to date.
• If you use a laptop, plug it in and connect to a reliable network when performing the initial backup to avoid draining the battery or hitting data caps on mobile networks.

Getting Further Help

If Dropbox Backup still isn't working after following these steps, or you need help choosing the right Dropbox plan for your business, our team can assist. Open a Ticket and we'll get back to you promptly.

Still Having Issues?