Students can't access a file because it is in a 'locked' folder. However, the file and the folder it is in are published.

[RalphBarnes]

The files (five simple pdf files) are viewable from the professor view, but not by student or through my student view. I first uploaded the files to a folder. Then I added the files to a module. The module is published, the files are published (both in the module and under files). The folder the files are in is also published. When I open the files and click information it also says that they are published. I tried unpublishing everything and then republishing everything. No luck. I tried deleting everything and re-uploading. No luck. I tried adding files by drag and drop and adding files through the upload button. No luck.

[greydon]

Hello @RalphBarnes 

Thank you for contacting the Instructure Community. We're sorry to hear you've been experiencing issues with giving students access to the files. As long as the module, files themselves, folders the files are sourced in are all published- the students should be able to see them. Is anything else hidden from them that they should have access to? Any module lock dates or other restrictions perhaps?

Because of the complexity of the issue, and the concerns for privacy, it would be best if you contacted Canvas Support directly to pinpoint the source of the issue and provide a resolution:

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

[RalphBarnes · Accepted solution]

None of the relevant modules or folders have lock dates or restrictions. I did find a work-around, however. If I delete all the files, and then upload them directly to the module, the students can see them.

Then I deleted them again. Then I uploaded them to the file section and then added them to the module from the file area. That is the problem. The only way the students can see them is if I skip the file section and upload the files directly from my computer to the module.

Still, Canvas should let me upload a file from my machine to the file area of Canvas, then populate modules with those files.

[greydon]

Hello @RalphBarnes 

Thanks for getting back to us. You should be able to upload them directly to the files tab and have students view them. What you've described is not intended behavior. You should not have to upload them to the module directly. It is very likely that a folder or sub folder  is locked from the students.

Because of the complexity of the issue, and the concerns for privacy, it would be best if you contacted Canvas Support directly to pinpoint the source of the issue and provide a resolution:

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

[DianaBoeding]

Hello, Ralph. Please let me know if the support team tells you how to resolve this issue. Awkwardly, I found that my students weren't very active in reviewing the files, even though everyone had good grades. I have a reasonably mature group, and most of them have been working for a long time, making me think they pay for their assignments. Most writing help services provide mediocre content that is easy to spot if checked for plagiarism. However, there are also APA paper writing services, such as https://edusson.com/apa-paper-writing-service, that give a higher and more professional level. Their papers are a pleasure to read, and students know they will receive high-quality work on time. I know this because some of our professors work for similar companies. Therefore, I would like to monitor students' actions more, and I hope you will help me. I would appreciate it.

[RalphBarnes]

I was not engaging in "intended behavior" was the information I needed. I thought that I could upload content to the files area using folder and subfolders. Then I could populate my modules (as the semester progressed) by adding files to the modules by selecting files from the file area. I now realize that Canvas wants me to add files to my modules by selecting the files from my hard disc and uploading those files to the module. I do find it fascinating that sometimes when I did it the wrong way the students could view the files with no problem, but other times the students couldn't. I have no idea why my bad approach occasionally worked. No matter. I will use the intended behavior from now on.

[ellensmith1]

I think a folder called either:

uploaded media

uploaded media1

uploaded media2

course files

course files1

is unpublished. Even if files are in the settings part the students can see, and the individual file or image is published, the FOLDER is somehow in the unpublished section. In your files, search the names of those subfolders I listed above. Find each none and publish them.

Save all this and make sure you saved already any navigation settings.

My 2cents.