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Common Problems
Troubleshooting Assignment Submission Problems
If you are experiencing technical difficulties with submitting your assignment files to your Blackboard course, please this list of commonly experienced problems and the steps you can take to resolve them.
Problems Submitting Assignments
f you are having trouble submitting assignments, such as when the Blackboard text-editor or form control buttons (i.e. Browse My Computer, Submit) do not work, check your browser to make sure you have java and javascript enabled. The easiest way to do this is to use the Browser Tester tool.
If you are using Internet Explorer 8, enabling "Compatibility Mode" will help fix this issue.
Error Messages about File Format When Trying to Submit an Assignment
If you experience error messages refering to your file's format, check your file to make sure it has the following characteristics and make
corrections where necessary:
- Does your file have a file extension assigned to it? (Example: .rtf, .doc, .html). If it does not, try renaming your file so that it includes the appropriate extension.
- Does your file's name follow accepted naming conventions? File names must not contain blank spaces or special characters and must be less than 72 alphanumeric characters in length.
If you still cannot submit your assignment after having checked your file's extension and naming conventions, the problem may be browser related. If you are using a PC with Internet Explorer, try using Mozilla Firefox. If you are having trouble with Firefox, try using Internet Explorer. If you are using a Mac and getting an error message, try the same with the Firefox and Safari Browsers.
"Access Denied" Error Message When Trying to Submit an Assignment
If you experience an "Access Denied" error or other error message when trying to upload a file to Blackboard, it may be due to the file's size. Blackboard cannot upload any individual file larger than 250 MB.
If your file is larger than 250 MB, please try to reduce your file's size by following the these tips:
Reduce File Size by Optimizing your Document for the Web
Compress Your File in a ZIP Folder
Sending your file (or multiple files) to a zip folder will reduce the file’s size considerably through compression. Compressed files take up less storage space and can be transferred to other computers more quickly than uncompressed files. The zip compression process does not change the quality or nature of the file.
To create a zip folder, simply right-click your mouse on the file name or file icon you want to compress. A context menu will appear. Roll your mouse over the "Send To" option and click the "Compressed (zipped) Folder" link from the second context menu that appears. A "compressing" window will appear and show you the progress of the files compression into the zip folder.
When the compression is complete, you will see a newly created zip folder with the name of your file (Example: my_assignment1.zip). Try submitting this compressed zip folder as your assignment file.