If you cannot upload to Canvas, try clearing your browser cache, updating your browser, disabling plugins/extensions, or using a different or incognito browser. Check your internet connection (minimum 512 kbps), file size (limit 500 MB), and ensure your network/router/firewall allows port 8443. Contact support if issues persist.
If you cannot upload to Canvas, work through the browser, connection, file and network checks below. If none of these steps works, contact us immediately and explain that you are having difficulty uploading to Canvas.
Clear your browser cookies and cache
Your browser cache stores web page data on your computer, phone or tablet. It can sometimes cause problems, so clearing it forces your browser to use the newest data available from Canvas.
Follow the relevant guidance to clear your browser cache:
Update your browser
Canvas recommends using the most up-to-date version of Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari when uploading content.
- Check whether your browser is up to date.
- Update it if necessary.
- Restart the browser.
- Try the upload again.
Note: Canvas supports all major browsers, but fewer issues are reported with Chrome and Firefox.
Turn off browser plugins and extensions
Browser plugins or extensions, such as Grammarly or Adblock, may conflict with Canvas and affect how it works.
- Disable any active browser plugins or extensions.
- Restart your browser.
- Try the upload again.
Instructions for disabling plugins or extensions are available for:
Try a different browser
Try uploading your file through a different browser, such as Chrome, Firefox, Edge or Safari. This can help you identify whether the upload problem is specific to your current browser.
Use an incognito or private window
An incognito or private browser window may avoid problems caused by browser cookies, cached data, plugins or extensions.
Open an incognito or private window and try the upload again. This assumes that plugins are not enabled in incognito or private mode, which may not always be the case.
Check your internet connection
Large files can take a long time to upload if your internet connection is not strong enough. For security reasons, this delay can cause the secure connection to time out and the upload to fail.
Canvas recommends a minimum internet speed of 512 kilobits per second (kbps). You can check your connection through Google.
If you use a wireless connection, try a wired connection to improve the upload speed. If only a wireless connection is available, ask other people in your home to turn off or restrict their internet use temporarily while you upload.
Make sure your smartphone and any other personal devices are not using bandwidth during the upload.
Check the file size
Canvas has a file upload limit of 500 megabytes (MB) for submissions. Even large files below this limit can take a long time to upload.
If your file is large and you are having difficulty uploading it, contact your instructor.
Check your network router and firewall
Some internet service providers, including workplace networks and free Wi-Fi locations, may not allow a connection to port 8443. Canvas uses this port for authentication.
If the network blocks port 8443, you will need to access Canvas from a different location. Antivirus or firewall software may also block port 8443 and prevent a connection to Canvas.
If your antivirus or firewall software is blocking the port, you may need to change your computer's firewall settings.