Upload Errors
Upload Errors
Resolve file upload issues when adding candidates or documents.
Understanding Upload Errors
Upload errors occur when:
- File format isn't supported
- File is too large or corrupted
- Network issues interrupt transfer
- Browser doesn't have proper permissions
Most issues can be fixed quickly.
Common Upload Errors
"File Too Large"
Error: "Resume file exceeds 10MB limit"
Cause: File size over maximum allowed.
Solutions:
Option 1: Compress PDF
- Open PDF in Adobe Acrobat or Preview
- File → Save As → "Reduce File Size"
- Save compressed version
- Upload compressed file
Option 2: Remove images/attachments
- If resume has photos, remove them
- Delete portfolio samples included in PDF
- Link to portfolio instead
Option 3: Convert to Word
- Convert PDF to DOC/DOCX
- Word files typically smaller
- Upload Word version
Option 4: Use paste method
- Copy resume text
- Use "Paste Resume Text" option
- No file upload needed
"Unsupported File Format"
Error: "File type not supported. Please use PDF, DOC, or DOCX"
Supported formats:
- ✅ PDF (.pdf)
- ✅ Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx)
- ✅ Plain text (.txt)
- ❌ Images (.jpg, .png)
- ❌ Apple Pages (.pages)
- ❌ Rich Text (.rtf)
- ❌ OpenOffice (.odt)
Solutions:
Convert to PDF:
- Open file in original application
- File → Export → PDF or Print → Save as PDF
- Upload converted PDF
Convert to Word:
- Open in word processor
- Save As → .docx format
- Upload Word file
For image files:
- Don't upload scanned resume as image
- Convert image to PDF first
- Or use OCR to extract text and paste
"Corrupted File"
Error: "Could not read file. File may be corrupted"
Causes:
- File didn't download completely
- File damaged during transfer
- Password-protected PDF
- Unusual encoding
Solutions:
Verify file works:
- Try opening file on your computer
- If it doesn't open, file is corrupted
- Get fresh copy of resume
Re-download:
- If downloaded from email, download again
- Check file size matches original
- Upload fresh download
Remove password protection:
- Open PDF in Adobe or Preview
- File → Properties → Security
- Remove password
- Save unprotected version
Re-create file:
- Copy text from corrupted file (if readable)
- Paste into new Word/PDF document
- Upload new version
"Upload Failed - Network Error"
Error: "Upload interrupted. Please try again"
Causes:
- Spotty internet connection
- Browser timeout
- Network firewall blocking
- Server temporarily unavailable
Solutions:
Check connection:
- Test internet speed
- Ensure stable connection
- Avoid uploading on public WiFi if unreliable
Retry upload:
- Refresh browser page
- Try upload again
- Wait for green success message
Try different network:
- Switch from WiFi to cellular (or vice versa)
- Disable VPN if active
- Try from different location
Use alternate method:
- If upload keeps failing, use paste method
- Or email file to support to upload for you
"Invalid Characters in Filename"
Error: "Filename contains invalid characters"
Cause: Filename has special characters that cause issues.
Problematic characters:
/ \ : * ? " < > |- Leading/trailing spaces
- Very long filenames (over 200 characters)
Solution:
- Rename file before uploading
- Use only: letters, numbers, underscores, hyphens
- Example:
John_Doe_Resume_2025.pdf - Keep filename under 100 characters
Good filenames:
- ✅ jane-smith-resume.pdf
- ✅ Backend_Engineer_Resume.docx
- ✅ Resume_Dec2025.pdf
Bad filenames:
- ❌ Resume:Final(version 2).pdf
- ❌
<John's Resume>.doc - ❌ Resume\2025.pdf
Bulk Upload Errors
CSV/Excel Upload Issues
Error: "Could not parse file" or "Invalid format"
Common causes:
- Wrong columns: Missing required fields
- Encoding issues: Non-UTF-8 characters
- Format problems: Excel instead of CSV or vice versa
- Extra rows: Headers in wrong place
Solutions:
Download template:
- Click "Download Template" on bulk upload page
- Fill in template exactly as formatted
- Don't change column headers
- Upload completed template
Check required columns:
- Name or Full_Name (required)
- Email (required)
- All others optional
Fix encoding:
- Open in Excel or Numbers
- Save As → CSV UTF-8
- Upload UTF-8 version
Remove extra rows:
- Ensure column headers are in row 1
- No blank rows at top
- No summary rows at bottom
"Row X Failed to Import"
Error: "Error on row 15: invalid email format"
Cause: Specific row has data issue.
Solution:
- Download error report (CSV)
- Shows which rows failed and why
- Fix the specific issues
- Re-upload just the corrected rows
Common row errors:
- Invalid email: Fix email format (must include @)
- Missing required field: Add name or email
- Duplicate email: Remove duplicate or use different email
- Too many columns: Ensure columns match template
Multiple Resume Files Upload
Error: "Bulk resume upload failed for some files"
Causes:
- Mixed formats (some good, some bad)
- Some files corrupted
- Network interruption mid-upload
Solution:
- Check progress report: See which files succeeded/failed
- Note failed filenames
- Fix individual files: Address specific issues (format, corruption, etc.)
- Re-upload failed files only
Tip: Upload in batches of 10-20 rather than 100+ at once.
Google Drive Integration Errors
"Could Not Access Drive Folder"
Error: "Permission denied accessing Google Drive folder"
Causes:
- Permissions revoked: You removed access in Google settings
- Folder deleted: Drive folder no longer exists
- Account changed: Password changed or logged out
Solutions:
- Reconnect Google Drive:
- Campaign Settings → Integrations
- Disconnect Google Drive
- Reconnect and re-authorize
- Verify folder exists: Check Drive folder still exists
- Re-authenticate: Campaign Settings → Google Drive → "Reauthorize"
"Files Not Syncing from Drive"
Error: New files added to Drive folder but not appearing as candidates
Causes:
- Auto-sync disabled: Manual sync only
- File format not supported: Not PDF/DOC/DOCX
- Sync frequency: Runs every hour, not instant
- Folder configuration: Wrong folder selected
Solutions:
- Check auto-sync setting: Campaign Settings → Integrations → Auto-Sync enabled?
- Manual sync: Click "Sync Now" to force sync
- Wait for schedule: Next auto-sync may pick it up
- Verify folder: Ensure files are in correct Drive folder, not subfolder
Prevention Tips
Before Uploading
File checklist:
- ✅ File size under 10MB
- ✅ Format is PDF, DOC, or DOCX
- ✅ File opens correctly on your computer
- ✅ Filename has no special characters
- ✅ Not password-protected
- ✅ Internet connection stable
Best Practices
Single uploads:
- Save file locally first (don't upload directly from email attachment)
- Use descriptive filenames: CandidateName_Resume.pdf
- Test opening file before uploading
Bulk uploads:
- Start with template
- Test with 5 rows first
- Use UTF-8 encoding
- Keep to under 100 rows per file
- Verify email formats
Drive integration:
- Use dedicated folder for resumes
- Maintain consistent file naming
- Remove old resumes when done
- Check sync status regularly
Alternative Methods
If Upload Continues to Fail
Option 1: Paste Resume Text
- Open resume file
- Select all text (Cmd+A / Ctrl+A)
- Copy (Cmd+C / Ctrl+C)
- In Candidate Audit, use "Paste Resume Text"
- Paste and save
Option 2: Manual Entry
- Skip file upload
- Manually enter candidate details:
- Name
- Current position
- Key experience
- Skills
- Save candidate
- Request assessment
Option 3: Email to Support
- Email resume to support@candidateaudit.com
- Include: Campaign name, candidate name
- Support team will upload for you
- Usually processed within 1 business day
Browser-Specific Issues
Chrome
Issue: Upload button doesn't work Fix: Check that JavaScript is enabled
Issue: Large files time out Fix: Use incognito mode (disables extensions)
Safari
Issue: Preview breaks upload Fix: Disable auto-preview in Safari settings
Issue: Can't select file Fix: Check Safari → Preferences → Security → Allow websites to access camera and files
Firefox
Issue: Upload stalls at 99% Fix: Clear Firefox cache, try again
Edge
Issue: File selection dialog doesn't open Fix: Reset Edge browser settings
All browsers:
- Keep browser updated to latest version
- Try different browser if persistent issues
- Chrome is best-supported
Getting Help
When to Contact Support
Contact support if:
- Same file fails across multiple attempts and methods
- Error message doesn't match any in this guide
- All files fail to upload (suggests system issue)
- Upload succeeds but file doesn't appear
What to Include
When reporting upload issues:
- File format and size: "PDF, 2.3MB"
- Exact error message: Screenshot helpful
- Browser and OS: "Chrome on Mac"
- Upload method: Single, bulk, Drive
- What you've tried: List troubleshooting steps
Optional but helpful:
- Send example file (if comfortable sharing)
- Screenshot of upload page when error occurs
Next Steps
- Assessment troubleshooting if upload succeeds but assessment fails
- Common issues for general problems
- Getting support for additional help
Quick Reference
File too large → Compress or use paste method
Wrong format → Convert to PDF or DOCX
Corrupted → Re-download or re-create file
Network error → Check connection, retry
Bulk errors → Download error report, fix specific rows
Still failing → Try paste method or contact support