File upload completed on Device but not showing

[KyleStrem]

Hi All,

I have run into an issue as a student.

I submitted a file to answer an exam question; file upload ensued. I watched the completion percentage hit 100%, and then the confetti graphic showed on the screen.

However, when it was time for my professor to grade the assignment, the file was not present.

Unfortunately, I was unaware that this could be an issue and did not screenshot the completed submission.

Troubleshooting steps taken (Submitted on Canvas Mobile App iPad):

• Verified that the file was not present on the student-submitted files page.
• iPad system logs do not go back far enough (15 days ago at the time of the device check) to show any iOS-level data.

Is there any way to show evidence that the file was submitted on my end, perhaps by the quiz action log or developer-level logs?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Kyle

[NoahBoswell]

Hi @KyleStrem ,

Very similar things have happened to me, and other people I know. Canvas has a limit on how many files can be uploaded, otherwise known as file storage. If files are uploaded however exceed the limit that the course has, the file will not be available.

Did you upload the file directly into canvas from your computer into the assignment? Something I've found that always worked better is if you upload it to your account files and then within the RCE, or Rich Content Editor, of that assignment, select User Files then submit that way. You could also share the file with your instructor there in Inbox or Shared Content, however that might be set up differently with each institution.

As for audit logging, this feature is only available for quizzes. If your instructor used assignments instead of quizzes for you to file submit the exam question, then there is no way to view the developer audit logs (from what I know of). With quizzes, instructors are able to track all of their student's actions and activity.

Have you went back and double checked your submission attempts within the canvas course to see if the file appeared to have uploaded?

Willing to help you out!

Noah

[RecycledElectro]

The file is not there. You can not prove that it is.

If the assignment is still open in Canvas, resubmit the file and add a comment explaining what happened. Maybe include a screen shot showing the time and date on your computer (or the school's computer; wherever you saved the file.)

If the assignment is not still open, email the instructor. Attach the file and a screen shot showing the time stamp on the file. Explain what happened. Ask him/her to take it.

Network errors happen. Computer errors happen. From now on, always take a screen capture or a pic with your cell phone of the assignment after you turn it in. Try to get your name and the name of the assignment and that it was turned in all in one pic. Also click on "Grades" and verify that there is a piece of paper (for an attachment) or a capital T (for text entry) proving you turned it in. Because the grade book pulls information from the Canvas database, the assignment would really have to be in the databased for the gradebook to show it as turned in.

[greydon · Accepted solution]

Hello @KyleStrem 

As @RecycledElectro mentioned, this can happen from time to time. Your browser, device, and network all play a role. Clearing your cache and cookies regularly can really help. Typically, you would want to contact Canvas Support directly. They can look at logs and provide proof or work arounds for your situation.

https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/How-do-I-contact-Canvas-Support/ta-p/389767 

[JonathanMills]

Hello,

I experienced the same technical issue over the weekend. I used a desktop PC to submit the assignment, and my browser was up-to-date. I could have been using Microsoft Edge. I have read that Canvas uses Microsoft SharePoint, so it could be a database management issue. It is often suggested in virtual classes using Canvas to open windows from the platform by using the Google Chrome browser.

Additionally, I received two responses from technical support:

On Mon, Feb 26, 2024 at 3:14?PM Instructure Support <support@instructure.com> wrote:

Hello,

Your Canvas case 10622901 has been updated with a new message.

Hello Jonathan,

This is a follow-up to our call earlier. You called Canvas Support today because You called because you had a submission that didn't go through. I took a look around and couldn't see any record of submission. If you come across this issue again or have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to give us a call or email us at support@instructure.com.

Matthew

L1 Canvas Support

------------------------

support@instructure.com

Thanks!

Canvas Support

Hello Jonathan,

Regarding your attempted submission for, Written Assignment #1, from our end we can confirm that you had been accessing the assignment during the evening of the 23rd although Canvas does not record attempts for submissions. From what we can see you originally accessed the assignment on the 23rd around 10:00AM spent sometime on that page, then later again accessed it at 8:40PM. After that the assignment was no longer accessed until the 26th.

Kindest regards,
Justin B.

L1 Canvas Support
support@instructure.com

community.canvaslms.com

[CartAGC]

This seems to have happened numerous times. Is Canvas not able to enable an action history log to show submission attempts? Alternatively, if this function is not available, is there a reason why Canvas has not considered it? I am sure that with Canvas's mission and vision of supporting the academic experience, fixing this bug would be worthwhile for the company and the consumers.

Is there a way to automate generating a submission receipt once a student has submitted an assignment as a quality check? This would help students verify that the number of assignments uploaded for submission has been recognized by the Canvas system as uploaded.