This guide shows you how to fix the Not enough space error when trying to access a shared folder on Dropbox.
Why can’t I access a Dropbox folder?
If you can’t access a folder and keep getting “Not enough space” on Dropbox, it is because you have utilized all of your storage space and you are running out of free space. So, if you are receiving this error, you can expand your storage limit to fix the error.
Fix Dropbox Not enough space to access folder
If you are getting the “Not enough space” error while accessing a shared folder on Dropbox, here are the methods you can use to fix the error:
- Delete unnecessary files from Dropbox storage.
- Clear Dropbox’s Deleted files folder.
- Expand your storage without upgrading using different tricks.
- Complete Dropbox’s Get Started checklist.
- Refer Dropbox to your friends.
- Tell them why you love Dropbox.
- Upgrade to Dropbox Plus.
- Transfer some Dropbox files to another cloud storage service.
1] Delete unnecessary files from Dropbox storage
As the error message says, you won’t be able to access the shared folder if you are running out of storage space. In its basic plan which is free, you get up to 2GB of storage space. Now, if you have used 2GB of space, you won’t be able to access or upload more files to Dropbox. Hence, if the scenario is applicable, you can free up some space on Dropbox to fix this error.
To make space on Dropbox, you can delete some unnecessary files that you don’t need anymore. Here’s how you can do that:
- First, open the Dropbox website and make sure you are signed into your account.
- Now, move to the All Files tab from the left-side panel.
- Next, select the files that you want to delete and then click on the Delete button present at the top.
- After that, confirm the deletion of the selected files by pressing the Delete button in the prompt.
- Once deleted, try accessing the folder which was giving you the “Not enough space” error and see if the error is fixed.
See: Zip file is too large error when downloading files from DropBox.
2] Clear the Dropbox’s Deleted files folder
Besides deleting the files from Dropbox, you can also try clearing its trash bin. As the deleted files are stored in Dropbox’s trash bin for 30 days, they still use the allocated space. hence, permanently delete the files by clearing the trashbin of Dropbox. The deleted files can be accessed and permanently removed from Deleted files folder. Here’s how:
- First, open your Dropbox account and go to the Deleted files folder present at the left-side pane.
- Now, select the files that you want to permanently delete and then click on the drop arrow button present next to Restore.
- After that, choose the Permanently delete option from appeared drop-down menu.
- Next, again click on the Permanently delete button on the confirmation prompt.
- See if the error is now fixed or not.
Read: How to remove Dropbox from File Explorer Navigation Pane?
3] Expand your storage without upgrading using different tricks
If you are still running out of storage space on Dropbox and getting the “Not enough space” error message, you can use some tricks to increase your storage space. Dropbox offers some free methods to expand your storage space without needing to upgrade the plan. Here are some methods to increase Dropbox storage space without upgrading:
- Complete Dropbox’s Get Started checklist.
- Refer Dropbox to your friends.
- Tell them why you love Dropbox.
A] Complete the Dropbox’s Get Started checklist
Dropbox asks you to take a tour of the basics of Dropbox and complete the checklist to earn 250MB of free space. If you complete this tour, you can expand your storage by 250MB. Here’s what you need to do:
First, open the dropbox.com/getspace page in your browser.
Now, click on the Get started with Dropbox option.
Next, Dropbox will show you some checklists to complete, such as Install Dropbox on your computer, Install Dropbox on other computers you use, Share a folder with friends or colleagues, etc. You need to complete at least five steps to earn a bonus of 250MB of storage. So, complete the checklist accordingly and when done, Dropbox will reward you with 250 MB of storage.
See: How to view Dropbox File, Activity, or Event logs?
B] Refer Dropbox to your friends
Another method to earn more free storage space on Dropbox is through referral. You can expand your storage up to 16 GB by referring your friends to install the Dropbox desktop app on their PC or join the service. For each referral, you get 500MB of storage added to your plan. And, your friends too get an additional 500MB of space. Great, isn’t it?
Here’s how you can refer your friends to use Dropbox to earn free storage space:
First, open your Dropbox account and click on the profile icon.
And then, choose the Settings option.
Now, move to the Refer a friend tab and you will see an invite link. You can copy this invite link and share it with your friends. You can also directly send the invite link by entering the email address of your friend or colleague and clicking on the Send button.
If your friends sign up to Dropbox using the link you shared, you will get 500MB of extra storage space for each friend who joins Dropbox.
You should now be able to access the shared folder without the “Not enough space” error.
C] Tell why you love Dropbox
Want more free space on Dropbox to avoid the “Not enough space” error? Here is one more method to add additional storage space to your Dropbox. All you have to do is tell Dropbox why you love the service. As you send the feedback, it will add an extra 125 MB of storage to your Dropbox account.
To earn 125MB extra storage, open the opbox.com/getspace page and click on the Tell us why you love Dropbox button. After that, enter a brief feedback in the prompted box and press the Send to Dropbox button. As soon as you do that, an additional 125MB of space will be added to your account.
Read: How to update a Shared File on Dropbox without breaking its link?
4] Upgrade to Dropbox Plus
If you still receive the same error and need more storage space, you can upgrade to Dropbox Plus. To do that, you can click on the Get more space button on yoru Dropbox page. You can then choose a suitable plan and upgrade your Dropbox storage space. It also lets you try Dropbox Business for 30 days. Dropbox Plus offers storage space up to 3 TB (3,000 GB). So, you can easily save large files and folders and access shared ones as well.
Read: Remove or add Dropbox to Context Menu.
5] Transfer some Dropbox files to another cloud storage service
Well, if the issue is still the same and you are unable to expand your storage space, we recommend you use some other cloud storage service along with Dropbox. You can transfer your files to Google Drive, OneDrive, or some other free cloud storage services and then try accessing the shared folder to check if the error is fixed.
Read: Dropbox There was an error Downloading or Uploading your file
How do I access a Dropbox folder without space?
If you want to access a shared folder that is larger than the free space remaining on Dropbox, ask your friend or colleague to send the link to the folder. Or, you can also expand your storage limit by referring your friends, completing Dropbox’s checklists, or simply upgrading your Dropbox plan.
That’s it.
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