Help getting profile picture to display

[Matthew_Medford]

Hi! I've submitted a jpg photo to be used for my canvas account, but it renders as an empty html image tag. When I try to go to the original file source hosted by canvas everything looks okay, so I'm wondering why it won't display on any other page. 

[Chris_Hofer · Accepted solution]

Hi @Matthew_Medford ...

Personally, I don't really associate *.pdf files with images.  Yes, you can insert images into *.pdf files (similar to how you could insert images into MS Word documents), but I don't usually try and upload images via *.pdf documents.  Instead, I would recommend saving your image as a *.jpg, *.png, or *.gif format.  Then, re-try uploading your image to your profile picture in Canvas.  I think you'll have better success with one of those formats instead.  And, in fact, if you take a look at this Guide, How do I add a profile picture in my user account?, you'll see in the light blue box at the top of the page the suggested file formats to use for uploading your image.

I hope this will be of some help to you.  Sing out if you have any other questions about this.

Take care...be well.

[Matthew_Medford]

I'm so sorry, I meant a jpg image. I'll update the original post to reflect that

[Chris_Hofer]

Hi @Matthew_Medford ...

Not a problem.  Have you tried using a different image format such as a *.png?  I've also had troubles at times uploading images for my Canvas profile, and I've just had to re-try multiple times until it finally "sticks".  That might be what you have to try as well, but I would still recommend using something like a *.png file to see if that works, too.

[Matthew_Medford]

I have tried resubmitting jpgs which haven't stuck, and now retrying pngs aren't sticking either unfortunately. 

[Chris_Hofer]

@Matthew_Medford ...

You may need to just wait a while (maybe overnight?) to see if it updates with your uploaded image.  Another thing you can try is a hard refresh of your browser by pressing the keyboard combination Ctrl + Shift + R.  If none of that works after a while, you can try to reach out to the Canvas Help Desk staff.  Click on the "Help" icon on the far left-hand global navigation menu of your Canvas environment.  Then, select the "Report a Problem" link.  Make sure you are on the page where you are experiencing the issue before you "Report a Problem"...as this will send some metadata about the page you are currently viewing along with your ticket.  Hope this helps!

[Matthew_Medford]

Thanks, I'll try this!

[Chris_Hofer]

You're welcome, @Matthew_Medford.  I actually was working with someone at my College today who was trying to upload her own photo to her Canvas profile, and it was not uploading right away.  I had her try and do a hard refresh of her browser (Ctrl + Shift + R), and that still didn't work immediately.  But, after a few minutes, her profile picture eventually showed up on her profile.  She did not try to re-load the image or anything...it was just a matter of waiting a few extra minutes.  Maybe that will be the case for you, too.