Respondus Lockdown Browser
What is Respondus Lockdown Browser?
Respondus Lockdown Browser is a remote exam proctoring tool, run as an independent web browser. It is designed to prevent use of external tools while taking exams in order to support academic integrity.
- You will need administrator access to a computer in order to install Respondus Lockdown Browser.
- Respondus Lockdown Browser will prevent any other applications from being accessed, including web searches, screen-capture software, calculators, and disability aids.
- Many UAS Student use computers use our Virtual Desktop Infrastructure, and cannot install Respondus Lockdown Browser.
- A test cannot be resumed if exited. On closure, the test will be submitted to the instructor automatically.
Quick Start Guides for Students and Instructors
How do I use Respondus Lockdown Browser for the first time?
Before taking your exam, please make sure your computer meets the miminum requirements.
- Access your exam through your Blackboard course homesite in your preferred browser
- Click the link to download the Respondus Lockdown Browser
- Click the Download button
- Run the Respondus installer
- Follow the prompts until installation is complete
- Quit all applications
- Open Respondus Lockdown Browser (it should automatically have created a Desktop shortcut)
- If any applications failed to close, Respondus will prompt you with a Close Applications button
- Log into Blackboard with your UA credentials
- Access your exam through your Blackboard course homesite
- When prompted, click the Continue button
- Complete the exam
- Once submitted, you may close Respondus Lockdown Browser
Troubleshooting
Respondus Lockdown Browser can be installed from the exam in Blackboard. Select the exam, and click the Download Respondus Lockdown Browesr - if not already installed button.
Unless otherwise specified, the installer file will have been placed in your default Downloads folder. You can locate this in most browsers by opening the menu and selecting Downloads.
- Make sure that your antivirus software is not blocking Respondus Lockdown Browser from running.
- Make sure your firewall software isn't blocking Respondus Lockdown Browser from communicating with the network server.
- Confirm that the software is installed, and not just downloaded.
- Double-check that Respondus Lockdown Browser isn't asking to allow access behind other windows.
The webcam can only be used by one application at a time. Please ensure that all other applications are closed, then return to Respondus Lockdown Browser.
Confirm that the software is looking at the correct camera. Cameras can be selected within Respondus Lockdown Browser by clicking the "Change my webcam" link.
Check that Respondus Lockdown Browser is allowed to access your camera according to your computer security.
- On Windows, this is in System Settings, Privacy & security, and Camera.
- On Mac, this is under System Preferences, Privacy & Security, and Camera.
If that is insufficient, restart the computer and only open Respondus Lockdown Browser.
Once the test is exited, it cannot be either continued or restarted. If enabled by the instructor, closing the test early will prompt you to provide a reason you are exiting the browser, which will be sent to your instructor alongside your responses.
If you receive this message, please reach out to your instructor. This often means an error in the exam settings that they will need to correct for all students.
Because Respondus Lockdown Browser locks your access to external tools, you may encounter difficulty if the program fails to run. If it is not responsive to keyboard or mouse input, you may be required to forcibly shut down the computer. For most models, both Windows and Mac, this can be done by holding the power button until it completely turns off, which may take up to 30 seconds.
Not all browser keyboard shortcuts work in Respondus Lockdown Browser. There are also shortucts to internal tools such as the calculator.
| Action | Windows | macOS |
|---|---|---|
| Quit the application | Alt + F4 | |
| Switch to the next tab | Ctrl + PgDown | Shift + Command + ] |
| Switch to the previous tab | Ctrl + PgUp | Shift + Command + [ |
| Close Tab | Ctrl + W | Command + W |
| Navigation back (Previous webpage) | Alt + Left Arrow | Alt + Left Arrow |
| Navigation forward (Next webpage) | Alt + Right Arrow | Alt + Right Arrow |
| Reload the current page | F5 | F5 |
| Stop the page loading | ESC | ESC |
| Information dialog | F1 | Alt + I |
| Symbol keyboard | Alt + K | Alt + K |
| Calculator | Alt + C | Alt + C |
| Print Page | Ctrl + P | Ctrl + P |
| Help Center | Alt + h | Alt + h |
| Browse clickable items (forward) | Tab | Tab |
| Browse clickable items (backward) | Shift + Tab | Shift + Tab |
| Zoom In | Ctrl and + | Command and + |
| Zoom Out | Ctrl and - | Command and - |
| Reset Zoom | Ctrl + 0 | Command + 0 |