can't open documents in canvas

[MargretheH]

When I try to open uploaded documents, PowerPoints or other files in Canvas, it won't open. The page is just blank, so I have to download every document to my computer to be able to see it. 

[JeffCampbell]

Are you trying to open them from within Files, or from within an assignment or page?

If you go to Files and click on the file itself, does it open up to show anything?

[millahjlalar]

This is a problem for me too. The file opens, but they're all blank. It works opening files on my iPhone, but not on my Mac (if that's relevant). This is the case for all the files on my canvas.

[JULIEDIAS]

Last week it worked just fine but this week I have to download the document on my laptop, email the document to myself and save it to my Galaxy tablet so that I can take notes during class. This all has to be done before class and if the teacher adds anything, I will not be able to access it until I get home from school

[JoyceEwing]

I can not open anything my instructor has put on canvas for the course. It says page not found or “Your device doesn’t have any application that can handle this file.

[Chris_Hofer]

Hi @JoyceEwing ...

Unfortunately, we do not have access to your school's Canvas environment or any of your courses(s).  It would be difficult to pinpoint exactly why you are experiencing issues with opening things within your course.  It could be that:

• your instructor has incorrectly linked files/images in your course.  Sometimes this happens when instructors copy/paste links from one course to another.  Doing this is not recommended because those links are pointing to courses that you and your classmates don't have access to.
• sometimes if your instructor is using an external third-party app that integrates with Canvas, it may be that the third-party integration does not work within the Canvas mobile app compared to working on a regular laptop/desktop computer.

All this is to say that you should try and reach out to your instructor as soon as you can to let him/her know that you are experiencing difficulties.  Your instructor should be able to check the course to identify any issues that might be occurring with the course.  Here's a Guide with how you can contact your instructor directly in Canvas: How do I get help with Canvas? 

Good luck to you!

[JoyceEwing]

Instructor says that all the slides and photos are embedded in campus and no one else has said they have a problem with seeing them. Neither my Chromebook or my iPad or iPhone will open the slideshow or photos. Though so far I haven’t had a problem with anything else on canvas. When I click on these particular photos and slideshows, the page is simply blank both on Apple devices and Chromebook.

[Chris_Hofer]

Hi @JoyceEwing ...

Thanks for replying.  As I mentioned earlier, even though you've provided some more detail for us here in the Community, it is hard to say exactly what might be going on.  Are these links within your course that you are clicking on?  If so, one thing you might try looking at is the Canvas CourseID number for your course.  When you click on your "Home" button of your course, look in the address bar at the top of your screen, and you'll see a web address similar to https://SchoolName.instructure.com/courses/#####.  Keep track of that number in the URL.  Then, go to the page where you are experiencing the issues.  If there is a link that you are trying to access/click on, hover your mouse over that link, and look at the URL that is displayed at the bottom of your web browser.  The CourseID number from the top of your browser's address bar should match the number you see displayed when hovering over the link.  If it doesn't match, then there's an issue.

The above is just one possibility, but without being able to see your course directly, it's really hard to say...so it's a lot of speculation on my part.

Something else you should probably try is to reach out to Canvas Support.  They would be able to log into your course directly to help you troubleshoot this better.  How do I contact Canvas Support?

Please keep us posted here in the Community...thank you!

[JoyceEwing]

Hopefully I can pass the class without these slides and photos. 

[Chris_Hofer]

@JoyceEwing ...

I would highly encourage you to check in with your instructor again or submit a ticket to the Canvas Help Desk.  Again, it might be that your instructor has incorrectly linked things in your course.  Your instructor might think things are displaying correctly (even though for you and maybe your classmates they are not), but because of how thinks were linked in the course, your instructor might not be aware there is something wrong.