Purpose
This guide is intended to help students troubleshoot common technical issues before contacting their instructor or the Help Desk. These steps apply specifically to desktop and laptop computers (e.g., Dell or Mac), and not to mobile devices such as iPads or smartphones.
Process
Before You Report a Technical Issue
Before reaching out to your instructor or the Help Desk, please review the following troubleshooting steps. These guidelines apply to desktop and laptop computers (e.g., Dell or Mac), and not mobile devices such as iPads or smartphones.
1. Allow Course Content to Load
When accessing course materials (e.g., presentations, activities, videos), always select “Yes,” “Accept,” “Continue,” “Enable,” “I Agree,” or similar prompts. These confirmations are necessary to properly display or launch content provided by your instructor.
2. Keep Your Computer Up to Date
Ensure your device has the latest operating system and driver updates installed.
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Windows users: Run Windows Update regularly.
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Dell users: Check for Dell Driver Updates via Dell SupportAssist.
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Mac users: Use Software Update in System Settings.
Up-to-date software helps ensure compatibility with Canvas and other online tools.
3. Check Your Internet Browser and Pop-Up Settings
Your Internet browser is the application you use to access websites. Common browsers include Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and Safari.
If you're unsure which browser is best for your course, contact your instructor for guidance.
Allow Pop-Ups for Course Content
Some Canvas features and course materials require pop-ups. If pop-ups are blocked, you may see a warning or be unable to view certain content.
To resolve this:
Use the links below for step-by-step instructions on managing pop-up settings in your browser: