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Box Sync Displays Message "Select Another Folder Location"

has_image , User , End User , Box Sync , Troubleshooting , macOS , Article , Product Utilization , Established

Note: Box Sync is not supported on Apple Silicon devices. Users on these devices need to switch to Box Drive.

 

Overview

When Box Sync displays the message "Select another folder location," it means the current local sync folder is no longer available or accessible by Box Sync. This prevents Box Sync from syncing files between your computer and your Box account.

 

Box Sync_Select another folder location.png

Box Sync_Select another folder location2.png

 

Problem

Box Sync cannot access the folder currently selected as the local sync location. Causes include:

  • The folder was moved, renamed, deleted, or disconnected (e.g., external drive or network share).
  • The folder path exceeded system path length limits.
  • Permission changes prevent Box Sync from accessing the folder.
  • The folder location is on unsupported storage (some network locations or removable drives) or a path that Box Sync cannot monitor.

Process for Resolution

1. Confirm the folder exists and is accessible

  1. Open File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (macOS).
  2. Navigate to the folder previously used as your Box Sync folder.
  3. Verify you can open files and create a new file in the folder.


2. Reconnect or remount drives if needed

  • If the folder was on an external drive or network location, reconnect or remount the drive/network share.
  • Ensure the drive letter or mount point is the same as before (Windows: drive letter; macOS: mount point).


3. Check folder permissions

  • Ensure your user account has read/write permissions for the folder.
    • On Windows: Right-click the folder → Properties → Security tab → confirm your account has Full Control or Modify.
    • On macOS: Select folder → File → Get Info → Sharing & Permissions → confirm you have Read & Write.


4. Verify the folder path length and characters

  • Ensure the full path to the folder and files does not exceed OS limits (Windows MAX_PATH or long-path issues).
  • Remove any unusual characters that might prevent Box Sync from accessing the path.


5. Select a different local folder in Box Sync

  1. Open the Box Sync app.
  2. When prompted with “Select another folder location,” choose a new local folder location that is accessible and appropriate for syncing.
  3. If you need to move your synced files to the new location:
  4. Move the contents from the old folder (if still available) to the new folder you selected, preserving folder structure.
  5. Allow Box Sync to scan and re-sync those files.


6. Reinstall or repair Box Sync (if problems persist)

  • Quit Box Sync and restart your computer.
  • If the issue continues, uninstall and reinstall the latest Box Sync version from Box support.
  • After reinstalling, choose a valid local folder location when prompted.


7. Contact IT or Box Support when necessary

  • If you cannot resolve the issue (permissions, network policies, or company-managed drives), contact your IT department.
  • If Box Sync continues to fail after checking the above, contact Box Support for further troubleshooting.

 

Outcomes

The problem is solved when:

  • Box Sync no longer displays the "Select another folder location" message.
  • Files and folders in your Box account are syncing to the chosen local folder.
  • New or modified files in the local folder upload to Box, and changes from Box appear locally.

 

Alternatives

If you continue to experience any of the symptoms listed above, please manually collect and submit Box Sync Logs and open a support ticket at support.box.com for further assistance.

 

Further Reading

Related articles can be found at Troubleshooting Box Sync.

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