Speedgrader is not showing Annotation tools

[stacer66]

SpeedGrader is not showing me the usual annotation tools. It has zoom, full-screen, and rotate buttons, but there is no highlight, annotate, etc. 

Instead, it has a message that says "Download the mobile app to add comments or other annotations."

I've updated my browser, but it still shows this. This is happening in both Edge and Chrome browsers. Please let me know how to fix this issue. Thank you! 

[stacer66 · Accepted solution]

I chatted with a support person, and it looks like it could be due to tablet mode with Surface Pro. I have Windows 11 on a surface pro 8, so tablet mode is automatic and I can't turn it on and off, except for by attaching the keyboard to turn off tablet mode. No word yet on why this just started happening yesterday or a more permanent fix, but just thought I'd post an update and workaround. 

[ibanov]

I also have an employee with the same issue on Chrome. It began today for her. I am not sure how to troubleshoot this issue.

[cwarren5]

I have had three reports this morning about this issue as well. I've been investigating the issue and I cannot figure out what has changed, or when, but it does appear that the tools are just flat gone. I also suggested the users update their browsers and try signing out and back in afterwards, with no luck. All three of the affected folks are using the most recent version of Chrome. 

[canvas_admin]

I've got a professor dealing with this issue as well. He has tried both Firefox and Chrome on a PC. 

However, I can see it both as my admin account as well as masquerading as the user. 

[Ron_Bowman]

@stacer66 @canvas_admin @cwarren5 @ibanov -

I just checked in chrome and I have the full tool compliment.  If you are still seeing  the issue, then send a request into Canvas support.  Something probably happened during a Canvas update to the platform.  Of course they may have just fixed the issue as well.

[RichardMiller]

This started happening for me this morning. In doing some checking I see that my Canvas phone app has all of the annotation tools. I next logged in using my personal pc and found that I have all of the annotation tools there. It is on my institution issued Surface Pro where I have lost the annotation tools and Canvas prompts me to download either an Apple or Android app. (that is not going to work obviously) I have retarted, did a full shut down and re-boot, cleared the cache, tried other browsers to now include Chrome, Firefox and Edge. No luck...

HELP!!!

[mglodo]

I, too, have the issue on a Surface Pro. The problem does not exist on my personal Dell.

[RenitaEllis]

I am having the same issue and have done all of the same remedies without any luck.  I am using a Surface Pro, and this started happening on Sep 13th.  I have been on line with the University Tech support on 9/14 without any resolution.  I have also updated Windows and even updated to Windows 11, but no fix.  Canvas inline grading is showing this message, "Download the mobile app to add comments or other annotations."

[MelissahLee]

Same. I have a Surface Pro and had the same issue yesterday.

Canvas support had me update my chrome browser and purge my cache. 

First I cleared my cache. Clearing the cache did not fix it.

I went to update my Chrome browser next and for some reason, I was getting an error even trying to update chrome. Online they suggested restarting by computer to allow chrome to be able to update. I restarted my computer and still had the grading issue, but I was at least able to update chrome. After the chrome update, I was still having the issue.

So I restarted my computer a second time (the first time after the chrome update) and that fixed it. 😊

[leturno]

I have an instructor this is happening to. The instructor just reconfirmed (3:13pm Central 09/14/2022) it is still happening.  The instructor is using Chrome 105 and Firefox 104.

I have opened a Case # 09136732 and referenced this discussion. 

If you open a case please reference my case and this discussion so they know it's just not your one instructor having this issue.

[stacer66 · Accepted solution]

I chatted with a support person, and it looks like it could be due to tablet mode with Surface Pro. I have Windows 11 on a surface pro 8, so tablet mode is automatic and I can't turn it on and off, except for by attaching the keyboard to turn off tablet mode. No word yet on why this just started happening yesterday or a more permanent fix, but just thought I'd post an update and workaround. 

[mglodo]

I was not in tablet mode, but had my keyboard folded back as if in tablet mode. When I flipped the keyboard as if I would type on it, the annotation tools appeared.

[RenitaEllis · Accepted solution]

Ahh.. let me try attaching my keyboard. I actually dock my Surface Pro and use a separate keyboard. Let me try connecting the key board . Oh My GOODNESS!!!! that is it. When I attached my Surface Pro Keyboard, the annotations returned. So without the keyboard, the surface thinks it a tablet even when not in Tablet mode... THANK YOU SO MUCH..

[donnelaa]

Not resolved yet! I'm on a Surface, with an external monitor and wireless keyboard, Surface is not in tablet mode and I'm receiving the same error. Surprisingly this is the first time it's happened to me though.

Temporary fix is to attach my keyboard, but like others mentioned, you can't flip it back. So I have a 2 keyboard setup now with my Surface keyboard and wireless keyboard.

Hope this gets resolved quickly!

[RenitaEllis]

I turned off Tablet mode and it is still happening. Tech support with my university, also logged into my computer and ensured it was off, and still the same issue.

[RenitaEllis]

I just did this as a person mentioned connecting the surface key board..

Ahh.. let me try attaching my Surface keyboard. I actually dock my Surface Pro and use a separate keyboard. Let me try connecting the keyboard. Oh My GOODNESS!!!! that is it. When I attached my Surface Pro Keyboard, the annotations returned. So without the keyboard, the surface thinks it is a tablet even when not in Tablet mode... THANK YOU SO MUCH..

[RenitaEllis]

I just upgraded to Windows 11 yesterday to try and figure out what the issue was. Previously the Tablet mode was off, and it was still treating it as though it was on. Canvas must have had some updated a couple of days ago, and that created this issue. .

[RichardMiller]

Attaching the keyboard is good as a "temprary fix" but is not really a solution. Those of us who use out Surface in a docking station so that we can view our workspace on either a lerger screen or multiple screens, this is absolutely NOT a solution. Instructure needs to keep working to resolve this ASAP!

[mglodo]

I agree entirely. PLUS, even with my keyboard attached and using it, the annotation tools disappeared on me again this morning. Detached and reattached keyboard and they reappeared.

[RichardMiller]

Exactly! Attaching the Surface keyboard is a bandaid and NOT a solution. Not being able to use the docking station or the larger monitors slows everything down. Keep working on this!

[RenitaEllis]

Exactly.. I also use a docking stating to use multiple monitors and this issue is causing a problem with grading timely. I wonder what happened with Canvas to change this as I had never had this problem before and I have used Surface Pros for years.

[rlowe5]

Agreed, this is definitely not a solution. I have been using my surface with a dock as my desktop PC for two years now. Canvas has worked with that configuration up until this week. It is clear that they have recently introduced a bug that mis-identifies my computer as a tablet.

Aslo, it's not acceptable that they do this with windows tablets at all! They do not offer a native windows client, so that basically means that where I was able to use my surface pen for inking, now I cannot grade assignments in tablet mode. So their bug has also removed a major feature that I made extensive use of.

Instructure, please be more careful. As a professional software engineer and professor of computer science, I can say with all authority and confidence that you have made a terrible and preventable error. There is no excuse for production releases which break broad categories of computers.

[ericwhitmer]

Our faculty use their 2-in-1s almost exclusively in a docked mode and we're a Dell shop.

[mglodo]

Are you saying that your Dell users are also experiencing the problem? If so, then it's not a Surface-exclusive issue.

[ericwhitmer]

That is correct, we have faculty who use Dell Latitude 2-in-1 computers and my faculty were calling me why they were seeing the prompt to install the Canvas Teacher app on their machine. Most of my faculty use these computers in a docked state with them closed on their desks.

[mychael_phillip]

Yes, I just had to troubleshoot the problem with my 2-in-1 ASUS running Windows 10. I did not have tablet mode on, but realized that I did have my laptop folded back flat as if it was a tablet. Once I unfolded the computer, the annotations popped back up.

Instructure definitely still has some work to do to fix this issue. As of 09/24/2022, it was still an issue.

[RichardMiller]

As of the morning of 9/16, the issue regarding the Annotations Toolbar being accessible through Surface Pro seems to have been resolved. I suspect that there was another update overnight?

[Pr0fN0Sl33p]

Hey, no, this problem has NOT been resolved for Asus Zenbook Duo users.  Went to try to grade my students' papers on my laptop and the annotations toolbar in Speedgrader was replaced by "Download the mobile app to add comments or other annotations" like what all of you were reporting.  Zenbook Duos don't even HAVE a tablet mode though they do have touchscreens and the dual screen feature (makes entering my grades at the end of the semester so much easier, but I digress).  Anyway, figured it Speedgrader was bugging like it was a tablet or in tablet mode so tried setting it to just "PC screen only" or "Second screen only" and refreshing the page.  No dice.  Speedgrader is STILL prompting me to try to download an app that, if I try to follow either of the links to an app store, the stores firmly tell me I have no device to download/install to (no, really?).

My Firefox browser is fully updated as is Chrome and I'm running Windows 11 that's currently up-to-date.  I can hold off grading these assignments for a little while before my students get antsy but one of my course's has a major assignment due on 9/30.  If I can't get this fixed by then, those 50 students will be out for my blood on top of the 48 students currently waiting for their assignments to be graded.  I like living so I really, really, REALLY hope you all can help.  Please?

[nmanz]

Thank you to those who helped in this thread - indeed, undocking my laptop helped. But I wish there were a solution that allowed me to annotate while my computer is docked! I prefer to work on my large monitor rather than my little laptop screen.

[Pam_Dunnington]

Hello Canvas Community, We also have a faculty member that is experiencing this issue.

1. Instructor r is unable to annotate student homework anymore and it says Download the mobile app to add comments or other annotations. .
2. Instructor has tried on the chrome, incognito, firefox - same issue
3. Instructor r also cleared cache and cookies on the browser - same issue
4. Instructor also made sure the windows is not on a tablet mode by going to Select action center on the taskbar (next to the date and time), and then select Tablet mode to turn it on or off.

The issue has not been resolved as of October 4, 2022

[DinaKoble]

I am grading with my iPad and some of the students have the tools and some do not. I can't figure out why this is happening and can find no resolution to add them to the students who don't have them. 

[mtomlinson1]

I'm working on a mac mini, in Chrome and still have no annotation tools.  I have cleared my cache, restarted my computer and have nothing.  I suspect I'll put in a ticket to Canvas and see if that helps?

[mtomlinson1]

I was just speaking with a Canvas support specialist and she told me that the annotation tools are not available when you choose "Peer Reviews Appear Anonymously" option.  Maybe that will help some people who are still experiencing this issue.  Best of luck!

[RussellSmith]

I have an HP laptop that coverts to a tablet. After reading what is happening. I went to my Windows setting, and turned off tablet mode. Then I restarted my computer and all the annotation tools are back. Hope that helps.