Why can't I change or have a profile picture?

[0617046269]

I'm a student user on Canvas and for some reason, I can't change my profile picture. Every time I change it or upload a new one it's all white or it has a little picture icon like in the picture. It's not a problem with size, I checked my files and deleted all the files I didn't need anymore and I have a bunch of storage and I don't know what to do about it.

[anabelleagopian · Accepted solution]

I am struggling with the same thing! if you find out how to change it, please let me know @anabelleagopian@gmail.com  @anabelleagopian 

[anabelleagopian · Accepted solution]

I am struggling with the same thing! if you find out how to change it, please let me know @anabelleagopian@gmail.com  @anabelleagopian 

[juan_senties]

I am also having the same issue!  The photo just won't come up.  Help me too, please!

[stephen_taylor]

Hi  @0617046269 ‌ the ability for users to have an avatar on canvas is toggle by admins.  It may be school/college/uni policy not to allow it.  Try having a chat with your tutors to see if that's the case.

Hope this helps!

Stephen 

[harriska]

I am a teacher and having the same issue. 

[stephen_taylor]

Hi Katie,

Are you an admin or just a teacher?  If the former go into the admin settings and see if user avatars is turned on.

Stephen

[harriska]

I am just a teacher. 

[erinhmcmillan]

Hi, all,

If you can change your profile picture but it isn't displaying correctly, that's a problem that needs to be reported to Canvas. You can report a problem using the appropriate option in your Help Menu:

How do I get help with Canvas as a student?‌

How do I get help with Canvas as an instructor?‌

Thanks,

Erin

[GenevieveCarste]

I FIGURED IT OUT! If you hover over "Account" it will show a list of links. Click on "files" and delete some of your old files from past classes and stuff. There is a maximum amount of file storage (pictures and documents) that you can have in Canvas and if you are over that amount it won't let you upload an avatar picture. Delete some files until you've got more space and then you can upload a profile pic!

[Iris_12]

It still didn't work for me

[SakuraForest]

If it's letting you choose a new PFP but it's showing as white or the placeholder it's because it takes a minute to update to the new PFP (I'd say around 10-15 minutes max). I just uploaded a new PFP and it did the same thing but after 10-15 minutes it updated and is now showing my new PFP. If it's not letting you upload a PFP at all then setting a PFP was probably disabled by an administrator.

[Chris_Hofer · Accepted solution]

@SakuraForest ...

I've never heard that it takes 10-15 minutes for a profile picture in Canvas to update.  (I'm not saying you're wrong, however...just that I've never heard that myself.)  I wonder if the old profile picture is just being stored in your browser cache and hasn't updated more immediately?  One trick I've been taking advantage of more recently is do to a hard refresh in the browser on the screen where I expect to see a change.  For example, try pressing Ctrl + Shift + R, and see what happens the next time you want to change your profile picture.  Or, another option would be for you to clear your browser's cache/history, close out of the browser completely, and then re-log back in to Canvas.

How do I clear my browser cache and cookies?

I hope this might be of some help to you and others reading this.

Take care...be well.