Unable to Upload or Attach File in D2L

Summary

I’m trying to attach or upload a file and D2L won’t let me OR I’ve attached or uploaded a file to D2L, but when I click on it in D2L it won’t open and I get an error message.

Body

Issue

You may encounter one of the following issues when working in D2L:

  • You are unable to upload or attach a file.
  • A file uploads successfully but does not open and displays an error message.

Workarounds

Option 1: Check the File Name

Ensure the file name does not include special characters such as:

  • Forward slash (/)
  • Ampersand (&)
  • Question mark (?)
  • Quotation marks (")
  • Asterisk (*)

Use only letters, numbers, underscores (_), and dashes (-) when naming files. Special characters may prevent files from uploading or opening correctly in D2L.

Option 2: Verify the File Extension

Make sure your file includes the correct file extension, such as .pdf or .docx.

Most programs automatically add the correct file extension when saving a file. Avoid manually adding extensions, as this can cause errors.

To reduce issues, do not include periods in the file name except for the file extension.

Still Need Assistance?

Contact the D2L Student Technical Helpdesk (opens in new tab).

Details

Details

Article ID: 12047
Created
Tue 4/5/16 7:24 AM
Modified
Mon 4/6/26 2:42 PM

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