D2L Dropbox Troubleshooting for Students

Owned by Mark Gallimore
Last updated: Dec 21, 2023 by Tyler Kron-Piatek
4 min read

I tried to upload my assignment submission file to a D2L dropbox, but it said "Oops, you file couldn't be uploaded."  What do I do now?

Short answer: rename the file using only letters and numbers, with no spaces or special characters.  And don't make it really long. 


Examples: galvezessay2.docx, turnerwork4.docx, albahrainfinal.docx, or mkg4april.docx.

D2L's dropbox system doesn't accept many special keyboard characters.  Depending on the computer or device you are using it might not accept spaces, either.  While many IT systems do accept these (and they're a great idea for strong passwords!) many systems still do not.  So name your files with letters or numbers, and keep them under about eighteen characters long (before the extension, such as .docx.)  

Microsoft Word will suggest using some characters from the first line of your file, and may add special characters.  Instead of accepting that, choose a better name according to the simple guidelines above.  

And don't change the file extension (.docx). 

Highlighting naming convention information for D2L Dropbox.

My Professor won't accept my chosen file format. 

Short Answer: No worries! Just convert it or save it in .docx, upload it, and go do something else.

You may like using .pages or Google Docs, or perhaps prefer to save your finished work as .pdf.  And for your own purposes, that's great.  But Microsoft Word's format, .docx, is a universal business standard.  If your professor insists that you submit work in that format, she or he is doing you a favor: preparing you for the professional worlds of business, government, education and healthcare where this is an (often unspoken) expectation.  Luckily, Apple's Pages, Google Docs, and various other word processors allow you to save in .docx format.  

I try uploading a file but D2L says "Invalid file type"

Short Answer: Check the Allowed File Extensions and make sure you are uploading the proper file type.

Your instructor may have decided to restrict the types of files that the D2L Dropbox will accept. No worries! Just check the Allowed File Extensions and make sure you are uploading the proper file type. Also refer to the syllabus for acceptable file types.

I do not see the Review Assignment Submission page or I did not get the D2L Dropbox Receipt Email

Short Answer: Wait a few minutes. If the page does not change or the email does not turn up, try to submit again.

Sometimes, D2L may take a few minutes to upload your file and/or change pages or send the Dropbox Receipt Email, especially on slower WiFi or Internet connections. Wait a few minutes and see if the page changes or you receive the D2L Dropbox Receipt email. If not, you should assume that the upload to the Dropbox was unsuccessful and should try again. Always save your D2L Dropbox Submission Receipt Email, at least until the end of the semester.

A few other tips:

ProblemSolutionReason
Spotty WiFiSwitch to a stronger WiFi SignalIf you lose connection to D2L, it may try to re-upload the file or it may not. Switching to a stronger WiFi signal will help prevent this. 
Slow WiFiSwitch to a faster WiFiIf D2L cannot upload the file within a certain time frame, it may seem like it is still working on the upload but actually cannot. Switching to a faster WiFi can help.
Slow & Spotty WiFi with no AlternativeUse an ethernet cable to directly connect to the Internet or go to a place with more reliable WiFi.Typically, WiFi is slower than using an ethernet cable. If you have spotty WiFi, then having a direct connection using an ethernet cable negates this. If you are unable to connect to the router with an ethernet cable, go to a place with more reliable WiFi or use a computer that is already plugged in with an ethernet cable.
I need to prove that I submitted to the DropboxSave your D2L Dropbox Receipt emailThis will give your claim a bit more credibility as it also shows, the name of the Dropbox, the Submission ID, Date and Time the file was received, the name of the course the file was submitted to, the name of the submitted file, and how big that file is. Keep these receipts at least until the end of the semester.



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