PDF file fails to upload when trying to submit on Canvas for an Assignment - how do we fix this?

AshleyWeaver

We have several students having the same issue - they go to upload a PDF file, and it says failed - they are uploading a PDF file for a Canvas assignment. Our students use Squid to annotate, save the file as a PDF, and upload the PDF for several assignments in many of their middle school classes. What is the solution to this problem? See attachment for the error students are seeing on Canvas:

Screenshot 2022-09-25 1.17.20 PM (1) (1).png

Chris_Hofer

Hi there, @AshleyWeaver ...

Thank you for sharing the screenshot.  PDF files should be fine to upload into Canvas assignment submissions.  Can you identify anything within the actual file name that might be causing this error?  For example:

• Might the open and closed parentheses at the end of the file names be causing the issue?  Example: (1)
• Might the file name be too long?
• What about the file size?  For example, this Guide indicates that files cannot be larger than 5GB in file size: How do I submit an online assignment? - Instructure Community (canvaslms.com)

Have your students reached out to Canvas Support to see if they can help identify any common threads as to why they are getting this error message?

How do I get help with Canvas as a student?

If students use the "Report a Problem" link (as detailed in this Guide), it is best that they are first looking at the page where the issue is occurring in Canvas.  Then, click on the "Report a Problem" link ... which will send some additional metadata along with the ticket so that a Canvas technician can contact the student a.s.a.p.

I hope this will help a bit.  Let us know if we can be of additional help here in the Community...thanks!