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Question

Box Sync unable to access certain files and

  • May 22, 2025
  • 4 replies
  • 33 views

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I just did a imac update - and Box sync has disappeared - I keep trying to launch it from finder but keep getting a message saying Box Sync is unable to access a certain file. I went into the online Box login and deleted the file - which was not in my box sync folder on my desktop to see if that helped (ie now neither the online box account nor my imac desktop have the file) - but I still keep getting the message even after restarting a few times.
 
the full message is Box Sync is unable to access certain files/folders in your Box Sync folder - xxx xxx file name.
Verify that these files/folders have the right user permission, close all related applications and restart Box Sync 
 
am not sure what to do now - any help and or advice is appreciated

 

4 replies

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Hi Jan, 

Welcome to the Box Community, I'm happy to help!

Can you try to quit Box Sync on your Menu Bar if its running and then start the app again and see if that helps?

If the issue persists, can you logout and then re-login to your Box Sync app? To logout of Box Sync, click the "b" icon on your menu bar, and then choose "Preferences" > Settings tab and then "Logout".

Let us know how it goes and if you have any questions and we will help you!

Regards,

 


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Hi France thanks so much for helping me - I have tried your suggestion - logging out and in of box sync but the error still keeps happening and so box sync will not complete and just stops running. I then tried adding the suspect file back into my main box account and then adding the suspect file back into my box sync folder on my desktop - while the main box account accepted the file - the box sync folder would not accept the file and gave me an error message. I tried to sync again but the same message appeared. Thanks for helping me jan


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Hi Jan, 

May I know what version of MacOS are you running and if its an iMac with M1 chip?

Regards,


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hi France - apologies for the tardy reply but I have been experimenting! Firstly I am running macOS Big Sur Version 11.6.6 and am about to migrate to a new M1 chip Mac desktop in 2 weeks when my new machine comes in.

Secondly - I experimented with removing all my files from Box Sync and then copying them back in - this took ages to complete both the synchronisations - and I was left with 16 unsynched files - I tried a myriad of things - eg deleting from Box Drive and then deleting from Box sync in various combinations - none worked - so I logged out and in of Box sync and now everything is working perfectly. I have a feeling a lot of the problem was too many files - so I have cleaned it all up and will see how it goes. 

Am hoping my transition to my new M1 chip desktop will go smoothly!

Thanks again for all the help

Jan