Dropbox is a crucial tool for both individuals and businesses, offering an easy way to store, share, and work together on files. However, users may encounter challenges when attempting to upload large zip files to Dropbox, receiving an error message stating that the zip file is too large to Dropbox.
In this article, we have discussed what causes the zip file is too large to Dropbox and five methods to resolve the issue.
Below we have discussed:
Also read: How to delete files from Dropbox?
What causes this error?
Here are a few reasons that might cause the zip file is too large to Dropbox error:
- The zip file exceeds the Dropbox storage limit.
- Interference by extensions on the browser.
- Your PC is out of storage.
How to fix the issue?
Here are five ways to resolve the zip file is too large to Dropbox error:
Ensure you are not exceeding the storage limit
First and foremost, it’s crucial to know the maximum file sizes allowed by Dropbox for both uploads and downloads.
Download restrictions
- Basic Account: Up to 20 GB for downloading folders, with a maximum of 10,000 files.
- Plus, Family, and Professional accounts: 400 GB limit.
- Dropbox Business Standard accounts: 1 TB limit.
Upload restrictions
- Files uploaded via the Dropbox website: Limited to 50 GB or smaller.
- Uploaded via Dropbox Desktop or Mobile App: Limited to 2 TB or smaller.
If you go beyond any of these size limits, you’re likely to come across the error message stating that the zip file is too large. It’s crucial to understand that there’s no way to get around these limits. To tackle this error, a simple solution is to consider upgrading your current plan.

Try the Dropbox desktop app
Although using the Dropbox website eliminates the requirement for installing separate software, this convenience has its limitations. You can only upload or download zip files that are 1GB or smaller. To overcome this file size restriction, you’ll need to use the Dropbox Desktop application, which enables you to manage larger compressed files exceeding 1GB in size.
Split the zip file
For those who prefer not to use the Dropbox desktop client, there’s another solution. In this scenario, you can just split your large zip file into smaller parts. This way, the person you want to share it with can download each part separately. You can use apps like the 7-Zip tool to split the zip file.
Use Dropbox in Incognito Mode
There were some cases where the file size was within the allowed limits, but users still encountered this error. It appears that a third-party extension was causing the problem. To check if this is happening to you, try disabling all extensions or browse in an incognito tab.

Free up Storage space
If you’re having trouble downloading a shared Zip file from Dropbox and it doesn’t surpass the download limit, it’s worth checking your hard drive. The problem might be insufficient storage space, causing the Zip file is too large for the Dropbox issue. Clear out some space in your hard disk.
There are several methods you can use to free up space. A simple way is to delete files you don’t need, transfer files and folders to another drive, and clear out the cache and temporary files. Another option is to use the built-in Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows to accomplish this task.
Also read: How to share files on Dropbox?
