What Happens When You Resubmit on Turnitin? (24-Hour Rule Explained)
Resubmitting on Turnitin replaces your earlier file, triggers a brand new report, and after a certain number of attempts makes you wait a full day for that report. Knowing the rules helps you avoid a pending report the night before a deadline.
Step by step: what happens when you resubmit
- Your old file is overwritten. In most setups the new upload replaces the previous one and the old file cannot be retrieved.
- A new digital receipt is issued for the new upload.
- A new similarity report is generated from scratch.
- After three resubmissions, the report is delayed 24 hours. Turnitin does this to stop students repeatedly editing to game the score.
- Your submission time updates to the time of the latest upload. If you resubmit after the deadline, the submission may be marked late.
The resubmission warning, explained
When you upload again, Turnitin shows a message along these lines: you have already submitted a paper and a Similarity Report was generated; if you resubmit, your earlier submission will be replaced and a new report will be generated; after 3 resubmissions, you will need to wait 24 hours after a resubmission to see a new Similarity Report. In plain terms:
- Replaced: your earlier file is gone from that assignment.
- New report: the score is recalculated from scratch.
- 24 hours: from the fourth resubmission on, each new report waits a day.
Can you resubmit on Turnitin after the deadline?
Only if your instructor allows late submissions and resubmissions. In many setups the upload button disappears at the due date. Where late resubmission is allowed, your submission time changes to the time of the new upload, so the work may be marked late. Ask before you rely on it.
Will my resubmission match my earlier version?
Not within the same assignment, because the new file replaces the old one. But if you submitted an earlier version to a different assignment, such as a draft assignment that stores papers in the repository, the final version can match it and your score will jump. Ask whether draft assignments are set to "No Repository".
Can I resubmit at all?
Only if your instructor has enabled resubmissions. If not, the instructor has to delete your earlier submission before you can upload again.
Resubmission rules at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the old file kept? | No, it is overwritten in most setups |
| Do I get a new report? | Yes |
| How fast? | Within minutes for the first three resubmissions, then 24 hours |
| Does my submission time change? | Yes, to the latest upload |
| Does my instructor see earlier versions? | Usually only the latest |
A safer way to iterate
Instead of using up resubmissions, check your paper first. A pre-check gives you the similarity and AI reports without touching your course attempts or storing your paper, so your one official submission is the final version.
What each new report looks like
Both screenshots below come from the same 24-page, 6,364-word paper. The similarity report found 1% overall similarity. The AI writing report flagged 51% of the qualifying text as likely AI-generated. Tap either one to see it full size.
Screenshots shown for illustration. Your own reports arrive as full PDFs in your dashboard.
Report stuck after resubmitting? See Turnitin report pending or not available.
Frequently asked questions
Does resubmitting delete my old submission?
Yes. In most setups the new upload overwrites the previous one and the old file cannot be retrieved.
Will my resubmission match my first submission?
Not within the same assignment, but a submission stored in a different assignment, such as a draft, can match.
Why is my report pending after resubmitting?
After three resubmissions, Turnitin delays new similarity reports by 24 hours.
Can you resubmit on Turnitin after the deadline?
Only if your instructor allows late submissions and resubmissions. Your submission time changes to the new upload, so the work may be marked late.
Why do I have to wait 24 hours after resubmitting?
After three resubmissions, Turnitin delays each new similarity report by 24 hours.