Canvas Courses not loading on Chromebook

[it_sheltonmac07]

Hi ,

I am an assistant administrator of Canvas at my university . We have two students who are unable to access their course work on Canvas using a Google Chromebook . The students are able to login , but after that , the courses don't show up on the dashboard . This issue only started happening last night , and they were able to access their Canvas courses  a couple of days prior , but suddenly they cannot . They cleared cache , cookies and browsing history , and that still did not work , however it does work when they access it through the smartphones .

Any solutions to this problem ?

[mswope · Accepted solution]

It definitely sounds as though this is more of a Chromebook issue than a Canvas issue. I would make sure that the Chromebooks are fully updated to the most recent Chrome OS.  Click here for directions for forcing a Chromebook update.

I would also suggest that the students try fully logging out of all logged in accounts on the device and then logging back in. Sometimes, this simple act fixes odd problems like this.

This response was created by one of Instructure’s PandaPros. All Canvas and Mastery Connect users are encouraged to schedule a free 1:1 coaching session between July 18 and September 18, 2022. Learn more by reading our blog!

[RhiannonLares · Accepted solution]

Chromebooks have a finite life span; unfortunately, some devices were sold despite knowing they would no longer update after a specific date.

Google Has that info on their site Auto Update policy - Chrome Enterprise and Education Help (google.com) under Google Approved ChromeOS Devices.

[ericwhitmer]

My first thought when that happens is are they running the latest version of ChromeOS? I'd try updating to the latest version to see if that resolves the issue.

[it_sheltonmac07]

Thanks , I think the issue really is the ChromeOS and not Canvas

[mswope · Accepted solution]

It definitely sounds as though this is more of a Chromebook issue than a Canvas issue. I would make sure that the Chromebooks are fully updated to the most recent Chrome OS.  Click here for directions for forcing a Chromebook update.

I would also suggest that the students try fully logging out of all logged in accounts on the device and then logging back in. Sometimes, this simple act fixes odd problems like this.

This response was created by one of Instructure’s PandaPros. All Canvas and Mastery Connect users are encouraged to schedule a free 1:1 coaching session between July 18 and September 18, 2022. Learn more by reading our blog!

[thistyfighter]

 I'm having this issue as well. Brand new (to me, was factory reset before I got it) Chromebook. Fully updated the OS. Can't get anything on Canvas to load. 

[helfco]

Hi all,

Having the same issue at our college. Canvas opens, but icons are missing and the course cards are blank. The Chromebook was issued in 2020. It's says fully updated, but it is Chrome OS version 76 and won't update further. We tried to install Firefox but it only runs on Chrome OS 80 or higher. Sorry for the blurry pic, but it has a check next to Your Chromebook is up to date and version 76. So I'm surmising that this student is out of luck as this device is incapable of opening Canvas.

[GeraldCox]

We're having a similar issue on a older HP Chromebook. The version is 77 and that is the last version it will update to.

[helfco]

Yep, I just got another call from a different student with the same problem. I'll add that they both said that Canvas worked fine on it last semester. It appears Canvas made an update which renders older Chromebooks obselete.

[AbdulrahmanRash]

I have the same problem with my Chromebook. I can log in to Canvas but the course cards are flashing and can't load, and when I use my iPhone, it works. I got the same issue with Chrome OS version 76. I can't update the latest version. my Chromebook was built in 2019. I wish I find an answer before making a radical decision. 

[helfco]

A temporary work around might be to have the students install the Canvas App. That would allow the students to load the Canvas course without utilizing the out of date browser: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.instructure.candroid&hl=en_US&gl=US

UPDATE: Tried this and it wouldn't work on a Chromebook running OS 76 😞

[RhiannonLares · Accepted solution]

Chromebooks have a finite life span; unfortunately, some devices were sold despite knowing they would no longer update after a specific date.

Google Has that info on their site Auto Update policy - Chrome Enterprise and Education Help (google.com) under Google Approved ChromeOS Devices.

[nwilson7 · Accepted solution]

Something to try for everyone having issues is clearing your Chrome cache.  This issue can happen on any device running the Chrome browser regardless of the newness of the device or browser (or OS) and clearing the cache will generally fix it.

Clear cache & cookies - Computer - Google Account Help

Obviously if the device is super outdated, this won't help but otherwise it generally does.

Hope this helps at least one of you!

-Nick

[Vincent-Dave11]

Hi! By any chance, did you already find a solution to this? My canvas dashboard also not loading. I think it is the Chromebook itself has the problem and not the canvas. How do fix this? Even community support does not reply to this.

[AbdulrahmanRash]

you need to check the Auto Update Expiration (AUE) date in your Chromebook. it stops updating the latest version after a certain date. that is probably the problem.

[helfco]

This video may present a solution by installing Lacros. I don't have a Chromebook to test this, but let me know if this works:

https://youtu.be/c1398gVg4Lk?t=694

[DexterHill]

the canvas instructure website wont load some stuff and its on chrome 76 and it says its the latest version which its not true and the acer c720 went end of life

[chriscas]

Hi @DexterHill,

Chrome 76 is definitely outdated (by almost 60 versions right now), and I'm not surprised Canvas is having trouble loading on there.  If your device is no longer supported and unable to receive updates, it's may be time to look into getting a newer device.  You could also look at some of the alternatives posted by others in this thread, but I'm not sure those would really be officially endorsed by anyone.

-Chris