Respondus Lockdown Browser

To Add Respondus to a Quiz:

1. Create your quiz in Canvas (Classic or New)

2. Include student Respondus instructions in the exam instructions or in the Canvas modules

3. Enable Respondus (Settings, then Navigation tab. Find Respondus from the list, click the dots and "Enable".

4. Be sure to SAVE your changes.

5. In the course, click LockDown Browser from the menu.

6. Select your desired, existing quiz from the list. Click the icon to the left of the quiz name.

7. Select "Modify Settings" or "Settings"

8. Select "Require Respondus LockDown Browser" for this exam

9. Use "Advanced Settings" to expand other options and select as desired.

10. Save & Close.

To Remove Respondus from a Quiz:

1. Go to Lockdown Browser from the course menu

2. Find the desired quiz in the list. It'll show "Required" in the Lockdown column.

3. Click the down arrow for the quiz and select "Settings"

4. Select the "Don't require Respondus Lockdown Browser for this exam" button

5. Save & close. The column will now show "Not Required"

1. LockDown Browser only needs to be installed once per computer or device. It will start automatically from that point forward when a test requires it.

2. Students must access the quiz WITH the LockDown Browser, not Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, FireFox, etc.

3. Wired connections are preferred over wifi when test-taking. If internet connection is lost during the exam, it will lock up the browser and NOT allow students to save answers, move to other questions, submit the attempt or exit the exam.

4. It's important to set a practice quiz in your course, using Respondus. This allows students to experience the new browser prior to a graded exam.

5. During setup, UNcheck the "Require LockDown Browser to view feedback and results". Canvas won't allow students to view their results immediately after completing the exam with this setting selected.

6. While the Respondus Monitor feature does use webcam monitoring, there is no identity recognition run on that video.

7. Respondus will run into issues if run on a computer with a modified operating system (not common).

8. If copying a quiz with lockdown, you must completely remove lockdown, then re-add it. Don't skip this step!

9. Respondus blocks everything - even the clock. To allow students to know how much time has passed on their exam, use Canvas quiz settings to include a timer. Add 5-or-so minutes of padding to allow for delays or tech issues.

10. To avoid overwhelming a single classroom's wifi, use the Lockdown Browser without the Monitor feature.

11. If students have technicall difficulties with laptops or major delays with accessing Canvas and the lockdown browser, have a paper copy of the exam on hand to use as needed.

12. Some students may have trouble using LockDown Browser on their device where the Canvas student app is also installed on the device. Uninstall the Canvas app, then try using LockDown again.

13. Students CAN use iPads with LockDown browser. (Won't work with the Monitor feature)

14. Avoid submitting answers to test questions multiple times. Each request is sent to Canvas. If there are multiple saves in a short time and you don't have a strong wifi connection, all those saves bloat bandwidth and cause interruptions.

15. Encourage students to access the exam from the Modules or Quizzes sections of the course. Accessing via the Grades page may potentially cause issues.

Click the FAQ itself to see the answer from Respondus' support page.

1. How do I allow students to exit the exam early?

2. Can students use a calculator during a lockdown test?

3. Can students use spreadsheets during a lockdown test?

4. "Frowny Face" error when opening the lockdown bashboard tool

5. How can students use external, online resources during an exam?

6. What about accessibility with Respondus lockdown browser?

7. What about accented letters for language exams?

Exam settings for Respondus are set in a Respondus dashboard within Canvas. 

• Be sure to select the "allow students to take this exam with an iPad" if applicable

• Advanced Settings:

  • Allow iPad use, allow specific websites during an exam, enable calculator and print button

  • Recommend to NOT use the "lock students into the browser until exam is completed" option. This will prevent students from re-entering the exam if internet connection was dropped. If not selected, students are able to exit but will be prompted to provide a reason for exiting the exam, which the instructor can review. Settings do allow you, however, to select this option and set a password that will enable a student to leave the exam early. They would need to speak with you, get the password, then enter it to leave early. It's not recommended to use this for remote exams that are timed, in the case student/instructor communication is delayed.

• Startup Sequence:

  • When selecting the additional instructions option, be sure to click "Edit text" to change it!

(also see the Important Notes section for other set up and tech considerations!)

1. If a student sees a "failed to load" or "timed out" error message OR the screen is frozen during the exam:

   • Quit all apps on device

   • Shut down computer completely

   • Re-start computer

   • Go back to Canvas and re-launch exam

2. Use the Help Center button in the browser itself to TEST your connection prior to starting an exam

3. If the "Start Quiz" button is missing in normal browser and LockDown browser in Canvas, it's a Canvas bug with the start date for the course.

4. Click the i icon at the top of the browser to check for updates

5. If running on a spotty WIFI, close all other programs and windows besides exam windows. This will limit the bandwidth being used by other applications in the background, during the exam.

6. If taking exam from home or a shared space, ask others on the same network to pause bandwidth-heavy activities (i.e. Netflix streaming, video games).

7. Some students may habe trouble using LockDown Browser on their device where the Canvas student app is also installed on the device. Uninstall the Canvas app, then try using LockDown again.

8. Avoid submitting answers to test questions multiple times. Each request is sent to Canvas. If there are multiple saves in a short time and you don't have a strong wifi connection, all those saves bloat bandwidth and cause interruptions.

9. "Invalid Profile" error (especially on Chromebooks) - the student probably Googled the Canvas URL link, rather than using the institution's specific Canvas link. Encourage them to access Canvas from the bottom footer of the main TXWES website.

   • If the Canvas URL is correct, it may be an issue from a copied course that hasn't had the Respondus dashboard re-opened after the copy at the beginning of the term. (or since the specific exam was copied into the course). Open the Respondus dashboard by clicking Respondus Lockdown Browser from the course menu. You may see errors for the quiz. Click the "Fix it" button and the issue should be resolved.

10. "Error loading application resources. A resource file is either missing or has been corrupted"

    • • When launching lockdown for MAC devices, this usually means the browser install is corrupted. If this file (/Library/Application Support/Respondus LockDown Browser/config) is empty or missing the "id.txt" file, this can be the cause. reinstall the browser and should be resolved.

11.  " Your network connection is too low"

    • Click the "try again" button on the screen. (clicking this button also makes Respondus lower the frame rate of your video)

    • If still getting error message, you may need to leave the browser and find a better connection before moving forward. No workarounds for this. If possible, use a direct-wired connection with an ethernet cable. 

    • Try restarting your device, closing all other apps running in the background and limit the number of devices on the wifi network, if possible.

12. "AAC/ASAM is not enabled" iPad error popup

    • Indicated that "Single App Mode" couldn't be established on the iPad.

    • Uninstall lockdown completely. Down the app and isntall from the Apple App store again.

    • Restart iPad.

    • Attempt exam again by accessing the exam from the module containing the quiz, NOT from the "Grades

13.  "The procedure entry point could not be located"

    • Likely due to the computer running Windows 7 or 8. These versions are not compatible with Respondus. Located a computer that is running Windows 10 or 11. Full list to compatible OS's can be found on Respondus' website.

14. "LockDown Browser should not be used to log in to your learning system"

    • Use a standard browser (i.e. Google Chrome, FireFox, Edge, Safari) to access the Canvas login page for TXWES. Once logged in, navigate to the course then to the quiz. Click the quiz link.

    • On the next page, look for the "Launch LockDown broswer" button at the bottom. Click that button and when the pop up shows, grant the browser permission to open Lockdown.

15. Black screen during exam

    • Usually from poor/broken connectivity with the server and webpage cannot load into the browser. Usually, you'll need to leave the exam, shut down the browser, restore internet connection. Restart your computer, move closer to the router if possible. Then turn on and try to access the exam again.

    • If frozen and cannot exit, refer to this article.

    • Blank screens may also occur if you have multiple monitors hooked up. This is not supported. Disconnect additional monitors and open the browser on the main monitor.

    • May also be a result of insufficient memory (RAM). Use a device with more memory space.

16. "Err_Cert_Date_Invalid (-201)"  (Macs)

    • You need to upgrade your OS X to macOS 11.0 or higher

Use this website for all errors and technical troubleshooting

NEW Quizzes (solid green rocketship icon in Canvas)

1. Ensure Lockdown is already downloaded on student device

2. Use Chrome/Edge or other regular browser to go to Canvas course

3. Click quiz from within Canvas on normal browser

4. Respondus Lockdown Browser will auto-launch & quiz will begin

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CLASSIC Quizzes (white rocketship icon in Canvas)

1. Ensure Lockdown is already downloaded on student device

2. START with the Respondus Lockdown Browser app (not Chrome or other browsers)

3. Navigate to Canvas website & access course

4. Navigate to exam and click to begin

Classic Quiz Note: Trying to access the exam with a normal web browser, an error message will say the test requires the use of LockDown Browser. Simply start the Respondus app and navigate back to Canvas, the course, and the exam.

Student Instructions for Respondus LockDown Browser with Classic Canvas Quizzes:

LockDown Browser Requirement

This course requires the use of LockDown Browser for online exams. Watch this video to get a basic understanding of LockDown Browser:

https://www.respondus.com/products/lockdown-browser/student-movie.shtml

Download Instructions

Download and install LockDown Browser from this link:

https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=694543449

Once Installed

• Start LockDown Browser

• Log into to Canvas

• Navigate to the exam

Note: You won't be able to access an exam that requires LockDown Browser with a standard web browser. If this is tried, an error message will indicate that the test requires the use of LockDown Browser. Simply start LockDown Browser and navigate back to the exam to continue.

Guidelines

When taking an online exam follow these guidelines:

• Before starting the test, know how much time is available for it, and also that you've allotted sufficient time to complete it

• Turn off all mobile devices, phones, etc. and don't have them within reach

• Clear your area of all external materials - books, papers, other computers, or devices

• Remain at your desk or workstation for the duration of the test

• LockDown Browser will prevent you from accessing other websites or applications; you will be unable to exit the test until all questions are completed and submitted

Getting Help

Several resources are available if you encounter problems with LockDown Browser —

During Installation and Practice with LockDown Browser:

• Go to the Respondus Knowledge Base for LockDown Browser & Respondus Monitor to view helpful articles.

• If you're still need help with LockDown Browser, visit the Respondus Support Page and select "Submit a Ticket" (orange button in the upper right corner). Provide detailed information about your problem and what steps you took to resolve it. You will get a response by email quickly.

During an Actual Exam:

• The LockDown Browser app has a "Help Center" button located on the toolbar to access help 24/7 via chat. Use the "System & Network Check" to troubleshoot issues. If an exam requires you to use a webcam, also run the "Webcam Check" from this area.

• If your screen is frozen during an exam with LockDown Browser, or you get a "failed to load" or "timed out" error message, Canvas has saved your work, so do the following:

  • Quit out of all apps

  • Shut your computer down all the way

  • Re-start your computer

  • Go back into Canvas and re-launch the exam

• If you need help urgently call the TXWES help desk at 817-531-4428. NOTE: when you call you will be advised to restart your computer as described above.

Student Instructions for Canvas New Quizzes:

This course requires the use of LockDown Browser for online exams. Watch this video to get a basic understanding of LockDown Browser:

https://www.respondus.com/products/lockdown-browser/student-movie.shtml

Download Instructions

• Select a quiz from the course

• If you have not already installed it, click this link to download LockDown Browser and follow the installation instructions

• Return to the quiz page in a standard browser

• LockDown Browser will launch and the quiz will begin

Note: LockDown Browser only needs to be installed once per computer or device. It will start automatically from that point forward when a test requires it.

Guidelines

When taking an online exam follow these guidelines:

• Before starting the test, know how much time is available for it, and also that you've allotted sufficient time to complete it

• Turn off all mobile devices, phones, etc. and don't have them within reach

• Clear your area of all external materials - books, papers, other computers, or devices

• Remain at your desk or workstation for the duration of the test

• LockDown Browser will prevent you from accessing other websites or applications; you will be unable to exit the test until all questions are completed and submitted

Getting Help

Several resources are available if you encounter problems with LockDown Browser —

During Installation and Practice with LockDown Browser:

• Go to the Respondus Knowledge Base for LockDown Browser & Respondus Monitor to view helpful articles.

• If you're still need help with LockDown Browser, visit the Respondus Support Page and select "Submit a Ticket" (orange button in the upper right corner). Provide detailed information about your problem and what steps you took to resolve it. You will get a response by email quickly.

During an Actual Exam:

• The LockDown Browser app has a "Help Center" button located on the toolbar to access help 24/7 via chat. Use the "System & Network Check" to troubleshoot issues. If an exam requires you to use a webcam, also run the "Webcam Check" from this area.

• If your screen is frozen during an exam with LockDown Browser, or you get a "failed to load" or "timed out" error message, Canvas has saved your work, so do the following:

  • Quit out of all apps

  • Shut your computer down all the way

  • Re-start your computer

  • Go back into Canvas and re-launch the exam

• If you need help urgently call the TXWES help desk at 817-531-4428. NOTE: when you call you will be advised to restart your computer as described above.