Using Respondus LockDown Browser in Labflow/Spark

Student Experience Video 

The following video walks you through how the Respondus LockDown Browser will function if your instructor has enabled it for an assignment. 

Getting Started with Respondus LockDown Browser in Labflow/Spark

If LockDown browser is required for an assignment, you will see that flagged on the course home page as well as on the landing page for the assignment. 

1. In your regular browser window on a PC or Mac, use the "Learn More About Respondus LockDown Browser” link on your course home page or the "Download Respondus" button on your assignment landing page to go to the Respondus Overview page.
2. Download the correct version of the Respondus LockDown Browser for your device.
   • At this time, Respondus LockDown Browser is only available for Windows and macOS. Support for iPad and Chromebook are coming soon. Respondus LockDown Browser is NOT compatible with any mobile phones (iOS/Android) or other smart phone devices.
   • Note: Each version of Respondus LockDown Browser is specific to the software or website it is used for. You must download Respondus LockDown Browser from the Respondus Overview page in your Labflow or Spark course on the Catalyst website— a version downloaded from Respondus.com, a search engine, or a different website like Canvas or Blackboard will not work. 
3. Confirm that the correct version of Respondus is installed and that it is functioning correctly by using the "Verify Respondus Install" button.
   • If the correct version of Respondus is installed, your regular browser window will be minimized and the LockDown Browser will open with a message that it is installed and working properly. You should close the LockDown Browser, return to your regular browser window, and proceed to the next step.
   • If Respondus LockDown Browser is not installed on your device or your are using the wrong version, you will be re-directed back to the Respondus Overview page. Check out the troubleshooting steps below.
4. In your regular browser window, navigate to the assignment that requires Respondus.
5. On the landing page, you will see a "Launch Respondus" button—this is how you will access the assignment in the LockDown Browser. 
   • If Respondus LockDown Browser is launched successfully, your regular browser window will be minimized and the LockDown Browser will open to the same landing page, but there will now be an "Attempt Quiz" button which you can press to begin the assignment.
   • If Respondus LockDown browser is not installed on your device or your are using the wrong version, you will be re-directed back to the Respondus Overview page in your regular browser. Check out the troubleshooting steps below.
6. Once you have completed and submitted your assignment, use the "Close LockDown Browser" button to close the LockDown Browser and return to your regular browser window.

Troubleshooting LockDown Browser

This guide walks you through troubleshooting the Respondus LockDown Browser if it is required for your assignment. Please read the notice below before you begin — it will save you time.

Before You Start

• We recommend that you use your own computer, unless you have been instructed to use a shared computer on Campus. On a public computer or campus computer, you may not have permission to install software.

• Make sure you're logged into the computer as yourself, not a guest account, and know your computer's admin/login password.

• Make sure your operating system is up to date and you have a stable internet connection.

• Locate the "Learn More About Respondus LockDown Browser” link on your course home page or the Download Respondus button on your assignment landing page—these both open the Respondus Overview page that you'll need for the troubleshooting steps below.

• Use the Verify Respondus Install button on the Respondus Overview page to check that Respondus was installed correctly and that it can be launched successfully.
  • If the LockDown Browser cannot be launched, you will remain in the regular browser window and see a message that says "Respondus LockDown Browser failed to launch".
  • If the LockDown Browser launches successfully, you will be transferred to the LockDown Browser and see a message that says "The Browser is installed and working properly". You can then close the LockDown Browser, return to the assignment landing page in your regular browser window, and click "Launch Respondus" to open the assignment in the LockDown Browser.

• Close other applications, especially screen-sharing, recording, or remote-access tools before trying to launch Respondus LockDown Browser— these can block the LockDown Browser from launching. If the LockDown Browser says that a notification banner must be dismissed or an application or background process must be closed, you must do so for the LockDown Browser to launch.

• You need to first access the assignment from a regular browser—When you navigate to the assignment landing page and Respondus LockDown Browser is required, there will be a button that says "Launch Respondus". This will open the LockDown browser and transfer your session, so that you are logged in to your Catalyst account and on the assignment landing page, ready to begin. 

• You should NOT open the Respondus LockDown browser application directly (e.g. from your device's start menu or applications). If you open the Respondus LockDown Browser application directly and are able to go to a web page, Like Canvas or Blackboard, you are using the wrong version of the LockDown Browser and you will not be able to access your Labflow/Spark assignment with this version. Be sure to download Respondus LockDown Browser from the link in your Labflow or Spark course on the Catalyst website.
  

• Currently, Respondus LockDown Browser is only available for Windows and macOS. Support for iPad and Chromebook are coming soon. LockDown Browser is NOT compatible with any mobile phones (iOS/Android) or other smart phone devices
  

Windows Troubleshooting

Installer won't run, freezes, or fails

• Confirm you're logged in as an administrator on this computer, not using “Switch User” or a remote desktop session. If you're on a school or work computer, you may need IT to grant install permission.
• Temporarily disable antivirus or security software, run the installer, then turn your security software back on afterward.
• Re-download the Windows installer from the Respondus Overview page in your course—a partial or corrupted download is a common cause of failed installs.
• Restart your computer and try again—many installs succeed only after a fresh restart.
• Use the Verify Respondus Install button to check that Respondus was installed correctly and that it can be launched successfully.

“This app can't run on your PC” or install is blocked

• Check whether your PC is running Windows in S Mode. LockDown Browser can't install in S Mode, and you'll need to switch out of it in Settings (this change is one-way, so check with your IT support if you're on a managed device).

LockDown Browser opens but won't connect to your assignment

• Make sure you start in a regular browser window, navigate to the assignment that requires the LockDown Browser (while it is open and available to you), and click Launch Respondus to open the LockDown Browser. Do NOT try to start in the LockDown Browser itself (from the Start menu).
• Confirm you downloaded it from the Respondus Overview page in your Labflow or Spark course—a version from a different website, like Canvas or Blackboard, will not connect to your assignment.
• Close background apps such as screen-recording, remote-access, or virtual-machine software and dismiss any notifications, then relaunch LockDown Browser.

Mac Troubleshooting

“Installation Failed” message

• Confirm you're logged in as a user with “Allow user to administer this computer” enabled (System Settings → Users & Groups).
• Drag the LockDown Browser app (in Applications) to the Trash.
• Delete any previously downloaded LockDown Browser installer files.
• Empty the Trash, then restart your Mac (uncheck “reopen windows when logging back in”).
• Return to your assignment page in a regular browser and download a fresh copy of the macOS installer, then reinstall.
• Use the Verify Respondus Install button to check that Respondus was installed correctly and that it can be launched successfully.

Download error, or install blocked by macOS

• If you see an error while downloading through Safari, try downloading the file in Chrome or Firefox instead, then reopen the installer.
• If macOS blocks the installer as being from an unidentified developer, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll down, and click Open Anyway next to the LockDown Browser message.

LockDown Browser opens but won't connect to your assignment

• Make sure you start in a regular browser window, navigate to the assignment that requires the LockDown Browser (while it is open and available to you), and click Launch Respondus to open the LockDown Browser. Do NOT try to start in the LockDown Browser itself (from the Start menu).
• Confirm you downloaded it from the Respondus Overview page in your Labflow or Spark course—a version from a different website, like Canvas or Blackboard, will not connect to your assignment.
• Close background apps such as screen-recording, remote-access, or virtual-machine software and dismiss any notifications, then relaunch LockDown Browser.

Still Stuck?

If you've tried the steps above and LockDown Browser still won't install or connect, use this link to go to the Respondus technical support page or contact your Campus Student Help Desk before your assignment opens, so they have time to help.