Troubleshooting Browser Issues and Help Loading Course Content in Canvas

Troubleshooting Browser Issues and Help Loading Course Content in Canvas

If a page in Canvas is not loading correctly, appears out of place, or a video will not play as expected, a few basic browser checks can often resolve the issue. This article covers common steps students can take before contacting Support.
Important: Smartphones and tablets may not support all Canvas course activities, especially assignment submissions, quizzes, and exams. For the best experience, use a computer with an updated browser.
  1. Check for device updates.
     Make sure your computer has any needed operating system updates installed. Outdated system software can sometimes affect how websites, videos, and embedded course materials load.
  2. Update your Google Chrome browser.
     If you already use Google Chrome, open the browser menu in the top-right corner (the three-dot menu) and look for any Update Required message. Restart Chrome after updating. This is one of the most common fixes for Canvas page loading and formatting issues.
  3. Clear your cache and cookies.
     Over time, stored browser data can prevent Canvas from loading the newest version of a page. Clearing your browser history, cache, and cookies can help fix issues such as missing content, broken formatting, or pages that do not fully refresh.
     View Google’s instructions for clearing cache and cookies.
  4. Check whether your device or Chrome profile is school-managed.
    Some students use a school-issued Chromebook, a school-managed laptop, or a Chrome browser profile signed in with a school email address. In these cases, the school or district may apply internet safety filters, YouTube restrictions, or account-level viewing rules that block certain videos, even when those videos are part of a Canvas course.

    You may see messages such as “Video unavailable” or “This video is restricted. It must be approved for you to view it.” When this happens, the issue is often related to the device, browser profile, or school network settings rather than the Canvas page itself.

    To troubleshoot safely, try the following:
    • Open the course in a personal Chrome profile instead of a school-managed profile.
    • If available, try a personal computer rather than a school-issued device.
    • If you are on a school network, try opening the page from a different internet connection.
    • If the video is still blocked, your school’s technology team may need to review or allow that content on their end as part of the Technology Requirements & Troubleshooting in each course.
  5. Please note: Some videos, including content hosted through educational providers or public media sources, may still be restricted on managed devices or student accounts depending on local school filtering settings.

Helpful Course Reminders

  • Your course schedule is typically posted in the Announcements tab during the first week of the course.
  • Assignment due dates and feedback can be reviewed in the Grades section of Canvas.

Still Need Help?

If the issue continues after trying the steps above, please send our Support Team a screenshot of the error along with the course name and the page where the issue appears. This helps us investigate more quickly and coordinate any needed updates with our dedicated curriculum team and instructor.

Support Reminder: For Canvas help or technical assistance, students should contact support@tel-education.org as soon as possible.

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