Respondus LockDown Browser & Monitor - Getting Started for Students - Canvas Skip to main content

Respondus LockDown Browser & Monitor – Getting Started for Students

LockDown Browser is a locked browser for taking quizzes and exams in Canvas. It prevents you from printing, copying, going to another URL, or accessing other applications during an assessment. If a quiz or exam  requires LockDown Browser be used, you will not be able to take the quiz or exam with a standard web browser.

LockDown Browser should only be used for taking Canvas Quizzes. It should not be used in other areas of Canvas.

This document covers:

Installing LockDown Browser for Windows or Mac

If LockDown Browser has already been installed, skip to the section on taking a quiz/exam with Lockdown Browser. If not, LockDown Browser must be installed on each computer (Windows or Mac) being used to take a quiz or exam. You must have administrative rights to install applications in order to install Lockdown Browser.

  1. Navigate to the quiz or exam that will be using the Lockdown Browser.
  2. Click Take this quiz.
  3. You should see a hyperlink that says “Download Respondus Lockdown Browser.”
    Download prompt for Canvas Quiz
    Clicking this will bring you to the download page.
  4. Click the Install Now button to download a zip file (.zip).
  5. Open the downloads folder and run the file titled “Install Respondus Lockdown Browser.”
  6. Accept the terms, set the location where you want Respondus to be installed in your computer, and then complete the installation process.

Note: If you have an older version of the browser already installed you may need to uninstall it and install the latest version using the instructions above. 

Download Lockdown Browser

Installing LockDown Browser for Chromebooks

If LockDown Browser has already been installed, skip to the section on taking a quiz/exam with Lockdown Browser. If not, the LockDown Browser extension must be installed on each Chromebook being used to take a quiz or exam. You must have administrative rights to install extensions in order to install the Lockdown Browser extension.

  1. Navigate to the quiz or exam that will be using the Lockdown Browser.
  2. Click Take this quiz.
  3. You should see a hyperlink that says “Download Respondus Lockdown Browser.”
    Download prompt for Canvas Quiz
    Clicking this will bring you to the Chrome Web Store.
  4. From the Chrome Web Store, click Add to Chrome to install the LockDown Browser Extension.

Chrome Web Store in browser with arrow pointing to Add to Chrome

  1. An “Add LockDown Browser?” message will appear. Select Add Extension.

Add extension confirmation window in Chrome

  1. The LockDown Browser for Chromebook extension has been installed.
  2. Restart your Chromebook.
  3. Navigate to the quiz or exam in Canvas to Continue.

The Lockdown Browser for Chromebook extensions has been installed confirmation screen.

  1. After you have completed your assessment, you may uninstall or disable the Chromebook extension.

Please note that cookies and cache may cause issues when using LockDown Browser for Chromebooks.  It is recommended that you clear your cache and cookies.

Known Issues with LockDown Browser for Chromebook:

  • Quiz passwords (specified via the “optional password” field in the LockDown Browser Dashboard) aren’t currently supported for exams that use only LockDown Browser. For exams requiring Respondus Monitor, the optional password field is supported.
  • LockDown Browser’s Calculator and Spreadsheet features aren’t currently supported.
  • The extended keyboard functions (for adding symbols and special characters) isn’t currently available.
  • LockDown Browser’s “Help Center” is currently unavailable, and there is no Live Chat support for students taking exams that require Respondus Monitor.
  • “Allow access to specific external web domains” option is currently not supported.
  • “Google Chrome OS can’t open this page” error will occur. Click the “close” button on the error, and you should be able to proceed.
  • Exam feedback for “classic” quizzes is not compatible yet, if viewed at a later time. Feedback is viewable if seen in the same LockDown Browser session that the exam was taken in.

Taking a Quiz/Exam with Lockdown Browser

  1. Close all programs currently running.
  2. Locate the LockDown Browser shortcut on the desktop and double-click it. (For Mac users, launch “LockDown Browser” from the Applications folder.) Note: For quizzes using Canvas New Quizzes, you will need to first launch your quiz in your regular browser.  You will be prompted to use Respondus Lockdown Browser.

  1. If prompted to close a blocked program (e.g. screen capture, instant messaging), choose Yes when prompted.
  2. In the Choose Server dialog box select Rutgers Canvas and click OK.  You be taken to the Canvas login page where you can login and access your course.
  3. Click Courses in the global menu. You cannot enter the quiz or exam from the Canvas Dashboard.
  4. Click on your course name.
  5. Navigate to the quiz or exam and select the Take a Quiz link.
  6. Once a quiz or exam has been started with LockDown Browser, you cannot exit until the Submit Answers button is clicked.
  7. After completing your quiz or exam and clicking Submit Answers, close LockDown Browser and log back into your course using your preferred browser before doing any additional work in the course.

Taking a Quiz/Exam with Lockdown Browser & Monitor

Your instructor may have notify you that will need a web camera to complete your Canvas Quiz. Respondus Lockdown Browser and integrated Monitor will be used to ensure exam integrity.  Your quiz or exam name will include indicators that you will use Respondus Lockdown + Monitor.  The quiz or exam name will end with Requires Respondus LockDown Browser + Webcam.

Canvas quiz name with Requires Respondus Lockdown Browser + WebCam highlightes

  1. Close all programs currently running.
  2. Locate the LockDown Browser shortcut on the desktop and double-click it. (For Mac users, launch “LockDown Browser” from the Applications folder.) Note: For quizzes and exams using Canvas New Quizzes, you will need to first launch your quiz or exam in your regular browser.  You will be prompted to use Respondus Lockdown Browser.
  3. If prompted to close a blocked program (e.g. screen capture, instant messaging), choose Yes when prompted.
  4. In the Choose Server dialog box select Rutgers Canvas and click OK.  This will take you to the Canvas login page where you can login and access your course.
  5. Click Courses in the global menu. You cannot enter the quiz from the Canvas Dashboard.
  6. Click on your course name.
  7. Navigate to the quiz or exam and select the Take a Quiz link.
  8. Lockdown Browser will launch Startup Sequence to verify your identity and your testing environment. The Startup Sequence is the set of events that occur before a Respondus Monitor webcam session begins. Your instructor may choose all items to be included in the Startup Sequence or omit some of these items and may provide customized directions for you.
      1. Step 1 – Please read the Terms of Use.  Click Agree.
      2. Step 2 – Please verify your camera is working properly for the Webcam Check. Click Yes.

Step 2 image with web camera field blank

      1. Step 3 – Please read the Additional Instructions.  Your instructor may add information here.  Click Continue

Step 2 image with additional information

      1. Step 4 – Guidelines and Tips provide general best practices for taking a test with Respondus Monitor.  Click Next to advance through all screens.

Sample Respondus Monitor tips image

      1. Step 5 – Using your web camera, take a photo of yourself by clicking Take Picture.  You may try again until you have a well-lit photo.  Click Continue.

Sample Respondus Monitor screen with boxes for active camera feed and picture taken

      1. Step 6 – Hold you student ID up to your web camera and take a photo of it by clicking Take Picture.  You may try again until you have a well-lit photo.  Click Continue.

Sample Respondus monitor screen with boxes for active web camera feed and statid photo

      1. Step 7 -As directed, clear your desk of paper and books. Click Start Recording and slowly pan your web camera around your desk.  Click Stop Recording.

Sample Respondus Monitor environment check screen with video display for active camera feed.

      1.  Step 8 – The Facial Detection Check will display feedback is your face cannot be detected. Click Continue when your face is detected. You may need to adjust your camera placement or your lighting.

Respondus Monitor Facial Detection Check with indicator that face is not detected in video stream.

 

Respondus Monitor Facial Detection Check with indicator that face is detected.

        1. Step 9 – Click Begin Exam.
  1. Your quiz or exam will launch.
  2. Click Take the Quiz.
  3. Review the quiz/exam direction displayed.
  4. Once your quiz or exam has started in LockDown Browser, you cannot exit until the Submit Answers button is clicked. Your web camera will automatically turn off once you submit your assessment.
  5. Close and exit the browser.
  6. Log back into your course using your preferred browser before doing any additional work in the course.

Problems?

If you have problems downloading, installing, or taking a test with Respondus LockDown Browser, you may contact OIT Help Desk.