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Troubleshooting tips for Yahoo! Mail Issues: Troubleshooting Attachments

Last Updated: November 10, 2011
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Table of Contents:

Troubleshooting steps for attaching files to an email, or downloading files attached to an email you received.

To effectively resolve issues related to Attachments (the uploading and downloading of files or images attached to emails) in Yahoo! Mail please ensure that you have completed all of the previous troubleshooting steps in this series of articles.
The following steps are specific to attachments:

  • Browser download settings
  • Encrypted files not supported
  • New file


Browser download settings

Please check your browser download settings to determine where files are set to download to by default.
  • Internet Explorer:

    Internet Explorer by default should ask you where to save any files. Please verify the location that the files are being downloaded to in the dialog box that appears after clicking on the Download File link.

  • Firefox:

    • Select the Tools menu | select Options.
    • Select the Main or General tab.
    • Locate Downloads and verify the location files are set to download to.
  • Safari:

    • Select the Edit or Safari menu | select Preferences.
    • Select the General tab.
    • Locate Save downloaded files to: and verify the location files are set to download to.
  • Google Chrome:

    • Select the Tools menu (wrench icon) | select Options.
    • Depending on your version:
      • Select the Minor Tweeks tab.
      • Select the Under the Hood tab.
    • To change the default location for downloads, click the button and browse to the location of your choice.

Encrypted files not supported

Yahoo! Mail does not accept attachments that have been encrypted, (modified by use of a secret code to prevent unauthorized access to the information). If you are unable to download a file that you received please contact the sender to ensure that the file was not encrypted. If you are unable to upload a file, please ensure that the file has not been encrypted.

Obtain a new copy of the file.

Attaching files:

Please resave the file that you are attempting to attach with a new name. Try to avoid using any of the special characters, such as #, $, / , @, as these characters can sometimes cause problems.


Downloading files:

Please have the person who sent you the file, send a new copy of the file.

Previous Step: Testing from another computer

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