Github Application Issure

[vvemulakonda]

Hi everyone,

Whenever I try to submit my application, with a valid file it doesn't let me it just gives me red triangle with an exclamation mark in it, with no reason or cause. I don't know what to do

[SACHIN-S-2004]

If you're facing this after a rejection, I believe the solution is to choose a new ID photo rather than reusing the one from your previous application.

[justnico69]

I was stuck in this error for 2 days then i found this. I screenshotted the jpg file that have been getting error then I uploaded the screenshotted one and it's now approved. Thank you

[abdulrehmankz1]

That red triangle usually means GitHub’s verification system can’t process the file you uploaded — it’s often a formatting or metadata issue rather than your application details.

Try these steps:

Use a fresh document/photo – If you’ve been rejected before, don’t reuse the same file. Take a new, clear photo of your student ID or other proof.

Check file format & size – GitHub accepts JPG, PNG, or PDF. Keep it under ~10MB and avoid unusual file extensions or HEIC (iPhone default).

Ensure clarity – The document must be well-lit, in focus, and readable. Avoid glare or cropped edges.

Rename the file – Use a simple filename (e.g., student_id.jpg) with no special characters.

Try another browser/device – Sometimes the upload script fails due to browser extensions or cache. Chrome or Firefox in incognito mode works best.

Contact GitHub Support – If it still shows the red triangle, open a ticket here with your file attached.

Most users fix this by re-taking a sharper, well-formatted image and re-uploading from a clean browser session.

[davevad93]

Hi @vvemulakonda,

Usually this issue is solved by submitting the application using another device, such as a smartphone or another PC.

These users solved it by using the phone: #162877, #168688

If none of the above works, I recommend you contact support by opening a ticket here, select "Other" and explain your problem.

[ninjacode911]

The Problem
When trying to submit your Student Developer Pack application, the uploaded file gets a red triangle with an exclamation mark — no error message,
no explanation, just a silent rejection of the file. The application won't submit.

Why This Happens

This is almost always a file processing issue, not a problem with your application itself. GitHub's upload system is picky about the
image/document you provide. Common causes:

• Reusing a file from a previous rejected application — GitHub's system flags previously submitted files
• HEIC format — iPhones save photos as HEIC by default, which GitHub can't process
• File too large — anything over ~10MB can fail silently
• Corrupted metadata — some image editors or phone cameras embed metadata that confuses the upload parser
• Unusual filename — special characters, spaces, or long filenames can break the upload
• Browser/extension interference — ad blockers, privacy extensions, or cached sessions can block the upload script

How To Fix It

1 — Take a completely new photo

• Do not reuse the same file from a previous attempt
• Take a fresh photo of your student ID, enrollment letter, or whatever document you're uploading
• Make sure it's well-lit, in focus, and fully readable — no glare, no cropped edges, all text visible

2 — Fix the file format

• Save it as JPG or PNG (not HEIC, WEBP, BMP, or TIFF)
• On iPhone: go to Settings → Camera → Formats → Most Compatible to switch from HEIC to JPG
• Keep the file under 5MB to be safe
• Rename it to something simple like student_id.jpg — no spaces, no special characters

3 — The screenshot trick (confirmed working)

Multiple users have reported this fix:

• Open the photo/document file on your screen
• Take a screenshot of it
• Upload the screenshot instead of the original file

This works because screenshots strip out problematic metadata, convert to a clean PNG format, and create a "fresh" file the system hasn't seen
before. One user in the thread was stuck for 2 days, used this trick, and got approved.

4 — Try a different device

This has been the fix for several users in similar threads:

• Try uploading from your phone instead of your computer (or vice versa)
• The mobile browser version of GitHub sometimes handles uploads differently than desktop
• Multiple users confirmed that switching to a smartphone resolved the red triangle error

5 — Try a different browser

• Use Chrome or Firefox in incognito/private mode
• Disable all extensions (especially ad blockers, privacy tools, and VPNs)
• Clear your cache before attempting
• If you're on a school network, try from mobile data instead

If Nothing Works

Open a support ticket at https://support.github.com/contact

Select: "Other" (since there's no specific category for upload errors)

Include:

• Your GitHub username
• Description of the red triangle error with no message
• The file you're trying to upload (attach it to the ticket)
• What you've already tried
• Screenshot of the error

Quick Fix Order (Try These First)

1. Screenshot your document and upload the screenshot instead
2. Try from your phone
3. Use incognito mode in Chrome/Firefox
4. Rename file to student_id.jpg, ensure it's under 5MB
5. Take a brand new photo if reusing an old one

The screenshot trick is the fastest and most consistently reported fix.

[rafiul254]

If you're facing this problem, I guess the solution is to choose a new ID photo rather than old one from your previous application. please use new ID photo then try again.

[mtalhacdx]

Hi,
That red warning sign usually appears when the upload or submission fails, even if GitHub does not show the reason.
Try these steps:
Make sure your file is in JPG, PNG, or PDF format
Rename the file to a simple name like student-id.jpg
Refresh the page and upload again
Try a different browser or use Incognito/Private mode
Check that your internet connection is stable
If it still shows the warning sign, it may be a temporary issue on GitHub’s side. Trying again after some time or contacting GitHub Education Support should help.
Hope this helps.

[Rinat5x30]

Hey, I had the same issue recently. The file itself was valid, but the application still showed the red warning triangle without any explanation. What helped me was converting the document to PDF, reducing the file size a little, renaming the file to something simple like student_id.pdf, and submitting it again from another browser in incognito mode. After that it finally worked for me. It might also just be a temporary issue on their side because the error message doesn’t really explain anything.