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.

Table of Contents

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". 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. 

 

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.” 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.

         LDB Chromebook Install

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

         LDB Chromebook Add Extension

  6. The LockDown Browser for Chromebook extension has been installed.
  7. Restart your Chromebook.
  8. Navigate to the quiz or exam in Canvas to continue.

         LDB Chromebook Install Screen Confirmation

  9. 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:

 

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.

           

  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.  You be taken 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 or exam 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. Once a quiz or exam has been started with LockDown Browser, you cannot exit until the Submit Answers button is clicked.
  9. 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 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".

 

LDB Quiz name

 

  1. Close all programs currently running.
  2. Locate the LockDown Browser shortcut on the desktop or in your applications menu and double-click it. (For Mac users, launch “LockDown Browser” from the Applications folder.)
    • Note: For quizzes and exams using Canvas New Quizzes, 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 the 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. Please read the Terms of Use. Click Agree.
      2. Please verify your camera is working properly for the Webcam Check. Click Yes.

             LDB Webcam Check

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

             LDB Additional Instructions

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

             LDB Tips

      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.

             LDB Student Photo

      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.

             LDB ID upload

      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.

             LDB Environment Check

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

             LDB Facial Detection

             LDB Facial Detection Check success

      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.

Common Issues

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

I have a Chromebook. Can I use Respondus Lockdown Browser?

The Chromebook extension for Respondus LockDown Browser is available for Rutgers Canvas.  Please refer to Installing LockDown Browser for Chromebooks and take note of the known issues section.

I am using a Chromebook but the App Store is locked.  How do I unlock the App Store?

If a user is logged into their Chromebook with their Scarletmail (Rutgers Gmail) account, then the App Store may be locked.  Please log into your Chromebook with a personal Google account.  The App store will be unlocked and you will be able to log into Canvas to complete your quiz or exam.

When I launch Lockdown Browser, why am I asked to turn off a browser plug-in?

Respondus Lockdown Browser, Google Chrome, Opera, and Microsoft Edge are all chromium-based browsers with source code from the open-source Chromium Project.

The Rutgers Canvas Help Desk has seen issues where Google Chrome extensions interfere with Respondus Lockdown Browser.  Disabling all Chrome extensions has resolved the error.

Should I turn off my antivirus software to take a quiz with Lockdown Browser?

It is recommended that you temporarily disable your antivirus software prior to taking a quiz with Lockdown Browser.  Some programs may not interfere with Lockdown Browsers.  However, if you receive “illicitly modified, this program will now close and your instructor has been notified” error message, this is due to Webroot Antivirus software.

After you have submitted your Canvas quiz/exam and ended your proctoring session, please re-enable your antivirus software.

I am stuck on step 8a; the Webcam check. How do I get passed it?

Please refer to this article by Respondus Support if Respondus Monitor Cannot detect or configure the webcam