Troubleshooting computer problems is part of modern life when you teach online. Before you make that support call, try your hand at fixing some of the most common problems yourself.
- Check your Course Management System (CMS) Status
Is it a maintenance time? Or is Canvas currently experiencing an outage? - Clear Browser Cache (history, cookies, etc.)
Clearing your browser cache often will resolve the problem by allowing your computer to download the latest version of the webpage and/or software. - Try a Different Browser
If you have cleared your browser cache and things are still not working as you expect try a different browser. Example: if you are using Chrome, try Firefox and visa versa. Ensure that your browsers are up to date. You can always download the latest version free online. - Restart your Computer
Many faculty and staff solve their problems with this simple step. Always a good option to try. - Check your Internet Connection Speed
A slow connection could be why your CMS system is running slow. Share your result with your internet service provider as necessary to resolve. - Enable Browser Cookies
Cookies are small files which are stored on a user’s computer. They are designed to hold a modest amount of data specific to a particular client and website, and can be accessed either by the web server or the client computer. This allows the online server to deliver a page tailored to a particular user, or the page itself can contain some script which is aware of the data in the cookie and so is able to carry information from one visit to the website (or related site) to the next. - Enable Java
It strongly recommended to have the latest version to ensure proper functionality of our online systems. - Manage Pop-Up Blockers
Pop-up windows, or pop-ups, are windows that appear automatically without your permission. They vary in size but usually don’t cover the whole screen. They are often required for certain online website applications to work properly. - Make sure that your Operating System is fully updated.
Neglecting updates could deprive you of important bug and performance fixes. - Check your Device Settings
This is a great tool to identify what is on your computer, browser version, plugins, etc. This tool can help you update your computer yourself, and/or can be provided to tech support to assist you further with troubleshooting.
