How to submit a late assignment on Canvas
Whether you can still turn it in depends on how your professor set it up — here's how to tell, and what to do either way.
Last updated June 1, 2026
Whether you can submit a late assignment on Canvas comes down to one thing your professor controls: the 'Available until' date. Here's how to check, how to submit if it's still open, and your move if it's already locked.
- 1Open the assignment and read the dates
Canvas shows two dates: 'Due' and 'Available until.' If today is past 'Due' but before 'Available until,' you can still submit — it'll just be marked late.
- 2Check if the submit button is there
If you see 'Start Assignment' or 'New Attempt,' it's open. If it says 'This assignment was locked' or the button is gone, the 'Available until' date has passed and Canvas won't accept it.
- 3Submit as normal if it's open
Upload your file or paste your text and click 'Submit Assignment.' Canvas timestamps it and flags it 'Late' — the professor decides any penalty per their syllabus.
- 4If it's locked, email the professor now
Don't just give up. Email them right away, attach the finished assignment as a PDF, and ask if they'll accept it or reopen the submission. A finished attachment sent immediately reads far better than silence.
Late vs locked — the difference that matters
'Late' means Canvas still took it, with a red 'Late' tag. 'Locked' means the 'Available until' date passed and the system refuses it entirely. Only your professor can reopen a locked assignment — so email is your only path once that date hits.
Stop losing points to the clock
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Frequently asked questions
Can I still submit an assignment on Canvas after the due date?+
Yes, if the 'Available until' date hasn't passed — it'll be marked late but Canvas accepts it. If 'Available until' has passed, the assignment is locked and you'll need to email your professor.
Will Canvas tell my professor it was late?+
Yes — late submissions get a red 'Late' label with the timestamp. Any penalty is up to your professor's late policy, not Canvas.
Can a professor reopen a locked Canvas assignment?+
Yes — they can adjust the 'Available until' date or grant you an individual exception. That's why emailing them quickly matters.