Tech Tips for Personal Devices

Common Problems when Starting the Secure Browser

There isn't a link on my desktop to the Secure Browser.

It's possible that the Secure Browser icon isn't showing on your desktop but did install on the computer. For Windows computers, click on the 'Start' button in the lower left corner of the screen and then 'All Apps' to list the programs on your computer.  Look for 'CASecure Browser' and click on it to start the program.  For other devices, try searching for 'Secure Browser'.

The Secure Browser starts but then gives an error message.

Take a picture of the message or write down what it says.  Let the teacher know you are having trouble and reach out to CAVA's Zoom Room or Stride/K12 for additional help.   

The SecureBrowser says a program is still open or not allowing the Browser to start.

Note which program is still open.  Exit the SecureBrowser and quit out of the program that was open.  You may need to 'End' some programs that are running in the background.  For Windows and Mac computers see the directions below.

There are other programs that are interfering (Dropbox, Discord, Microsoft Teams, etc.)

Close the program that the Secure Browser says is causing the problem.  If you can see any program on the task bar or list of open programs, other than the Secure Browser, close it.  

On desktop devices, try going to Task Manager Processes Tab (Windows) or Force Quit Applications (Mac) and ‘End Task’ or ‘Force Quit’ buttons any open applications. (Use the key combinations of Ctrl-Alt-Delete on a Windows computer and Command-Option (or Alt)-Escape on a Mac to access the Task Manager/Force Quit Options.)

If you can see any program on the task manager (except for the Task Manager itself or the Secure Browser), close it.  

The ‘Discord’ application can also cause problems and should be uninstalled.  Directions can be found here:  How to Uninstall Discord on Windows 

If you receive a notification that Microsoft Teams is still running, see instructions below to close it.

To close Microsoft Teams:  

• Launch the Teams app and click on your profile icon at the upper-right corner of the screen. 

• Click on Settings from the menu. 

• Click on the General tab and scroll down to the “Application” section. 

• Uncheck the “On close, keep the application running” box.

If programs are still interfering with the Secure Browser:

Windows Computers Only:  If  the message still appears on a Windows computer, go to the Task Manager and click on the ‘Services’ Tab.

It is often helpful to click at the top of the ‘Description’ column and use the information there to find the Service that is causing the problem.  Right-click on the service and choose ‘Stop’ to stop the service. 

**Warning:  Stop only what is absolutely needed, stopping services can cause the system to become unstable.**

If you still receive an warning message on a Windows computer, it is possible that programs are running in the background (we have seen this happen with Windows Photo and Calculator and certain K12 Notifications).  There is an option to disable Background Apps under the Privacy Settings.

Click on the Privacy Settings and scroll down to ‘Background apps’

Choose ‘Background apps’ and toggle the button from On to Off for programs that are keeping the Secure Browser from starting.  You can also choose to turn off all Background Apps.

I have another issue.

Your teacher may have other resources to help or you can try installing the Secure Browser on another device.