Canvas: Respondus: Student Overview

Summary

Respondus LockDown browser is a tool used by faculty when administering quizzes or tests through Canvas. This application uses several methods to discourage cheating such as the inability to use other browsers and chat software.

The LockDown browser can be installed on the student's device. The LockDown browser is also installed on UNH campus Computer Lab systems.

 

Overview

LockDown Browser is a custom browser that locks down the testing environment in Canvas. When your instructor enables it in a Canvas quiz, you will be prompted to take the quiz using LockDown Browser. Each institution has its own version of LockDown Browser, so if you have it from another school, you will need to uninstall that one and install the proper one for USNH.

  • Supported on: 
    • Windows, Mac, iPad, and ChromeOS.
    • LockDown Browser does not work on phones.
  • Operating Systems
    • Windows: 11 and 10
      • Windows 10/11 "S mode" is not a compatible operating system, nor can LockDown Browser be obtained via the Windows App Store. 
      • Windows 10/11 "SE" is currently not a compatible operating system for LockDown Browser.
    • Mac: MacOS 11 to 15.0+
    • iOS: 12.0+ (iPad only). Must have a compatible LMS integration. You can pre install the browser through this USNH LockDown Browser Link:
    • ChromeOS:
      • LockDown Browser for Chromebook minimally requires the version of ChromeOS that Google makes available via their Long Term Support (LTS) channel. For more information, visit: LTS Channel for ChromeOS  (as of February 4, 2025, the latest version is: 132.0.6834.98, Platform Version: 16093.78.0)

*IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO UPDATE TO THE LATEST VERSION OF THE SOFTWARE:

For Windows users, start Respondus LockDown Browser, select the "i" button from the toolbar, and then click "Check for Newer Version". The version will be displayed and you will be able to download the newer version if one is available.

For Mac users, start Respondus LockDown Browser, select "ABOUT" from the toolbar, and then click "Check for Update." The version will be displayed and you will be able to download the newer version if one is available.

You can also update LockDown Browser by downloading and running the full installation program again.

 

Installing and Using LockDown Browser

Installing LockDown Browser from within Canvas

Task: To install LockDrown Browser within Canvas

Instructions

Step 1 - In Canvas, navigate to the course

Step 2 - Click on the Quiz that has Respondus LockDown Browser Enabled (it will be in the title) and click "Take the Quiz"

Step 3 - A new screen will pop up stating that Respondus Lockdown Browser is required

Step 4 - If you have not downloaded LockDown Browser you will be prompted to download it with a link provided

Step 5 - Follow the download instructions for the platform you are using. For the iPad, you will need to go to the Apple App Store
 

For ChromeOS users

To install the new extension to a student-owned Chromebook, students will need to use the regular LockDown Browser installation link for your school (they will NOT be able to search for the app directly from the Chrome web store). The LockDown Browser installation link will direct students to the Chrome web store, at which point they should select "Add to Chrome" to install the LockDown Browser Extension.

More detailed information can be found: Respondus Support: Can a Chromebook be used with LockDown Browser and Respondus Monitor? 

 

Taking a CLASSIC quiz with LockDown Browser already installed

Task: To take a classic quiz with LockDown Browser

Instructions

Step 1 - Launch Respondus

Step 2 - ​​​​​​​You will be notified to close applications. Click "Yes" to close them all automatically, or click "No" to do it one by one in case you need to save items

Step 3 - ​​​​​​​The browser will launch, log in with your USNH credentials (username@usnh.edu and password)

Step 4 - ​​​​​​​Navigate to the course and quiz

Step 5 - ​​​​​​​Click on the Quiz and click "Take the Quiz"

Step 6 - ​​​​​​​Take the quiz as you normally do in Canvas

Step 7 - ​​​​​​​After you submit the quiz you can log out of the browser

Step 8 - ​​​​​​​It is recommended to shutdown and restart your computer before taking another quiz in the LockDown browser.

 

Taking a NEW quiz with LockDown Browser already installed

If your instructor created the quiz using the NEW QUIZ option in myCourses, the LockDown Browser will be launched from within the quiz in myCourses.

  • You MUST access the quiz from Canvas.
  • Do NOT open the LockDown Browser first. 

 

Troubleshooting Tips

Mac Users unable to launch LockDown Browser

  1. Browse to System Preferences/ Security/ Privacy/ then Accessibility
  2. From there click the Unlock option at the bottom and then "+" to add the "Lockdown Browser" app to the list.
  3. Once you do this try launching the browser again as instructed by your professor

 

If your browser freezes during the quiz

When LockDown Browser appears to "freeze", it is commonly due to a dialog box from other applications running in the background appearing underneath the secure LockDown Browser layer or there are corrupted web links, which are blocked. It can also freeze if you lose Internet service during the quiz taking.

  1. If your computer freezes during a quiz, we recommend you press and hold the power button for at least 60 seconds until your computer turns completely off. 
    This will help ensure that a true hard shutdown is being performed on the computer.
  2. Notify your instructor why you stopped taking the quiz.
  3. To continue taking the quiz, follow the steps listed above for taking a quiz (Classic or New).

 

Error when attempting to access a quiz

  1. If you are attempting to access a quiz by following the steps above for a CLASSIC quiz and get an error, you are most likely taking a quiz using the NEW QUIZZES tool instead. The error is telling you that it won't launch following those steps. Follow the NEW quiz steps above to access the quiz.

 

Common Issues

  • Being connected to the 'UNH-Open' network, which won't work for the LockDown browser. When launching the browser, users may be met with a "Page failed to load" (-106) error". Manually setting the network back to 'eduroam' should resolve the issue.
  • Expired eduroam registrations need to be re-registered using these instructions: UNH Wireless: eduroam TLS Certificate Configuration.
  • In rare cases expired certificates may need to be manually removed by using these instructions: UNH Wireless: eduroam Troubleshooting Connection or Certificate Issues.
  • Multiple apps running in the background need to be closed prior to opening the LockDown browser. The browser will hang on the 'downloading settings' screen until the apps are closed, then the LockDown browser will open successfully and users will be presented with the USNH login page. 
  • Mac users may need to grant LockDown browser access to the local download folder using these instructions: Download folder permission required (MAC) .

 

Further Readings

USNH Knowledge Base Articles:

Respondus Support Articles:

Other Support Documents:

 

Need additional help?

Student support is provided directly from Respondus. Please fill out the Respondus Support Web form  with as much detail as possible. A Respondus support representative will be in contact to assist you as soon as possible.

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