Contents

Recommended Browsers
Troubleshooting
Known Browser Behaviors
- Chrome
- Firefox
Browsing Data
Third Party Cookies

Recommended Browsers

For best performance, Canvas should be used on the current or first previous major release of Chrome or Firefox. Because it's built using web standards, Canvas runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, or any other device with a modern web browser.

Canvas only requires an operating system that can run the latest compatible web browsers. Your computer operating system should be kept up to date with the latest recommended security updates and upgrades.

Check if your browser is up to date

Chrome 103 and 104
Firefox 103 and 104 (Extended Releases are not supported)
- Note: Firefox releases since version 103 contain elevated default security and privacy settings. Follow these directions to disable it globally, or to add Canvas to your allow list.

Other Supported Browsers

Edge 103 and 104
Safari 14 and 15 (Mac only)
- Note: Safari 13.1 and later versions contain an update that may cause issues with downloading files, displaying images, and playing chat alerts in Canvas. Canvas engineers are currently working on a solution for this issue. Until then, you may avoid errors with files, images, and alerts by disabling cross-site tracking prevention in Safari when using Canvas. If disabling cross-site tracking doesn't resolve these issues, please try one of the other supported browsers.

Troubleshooting

Unsupported Browser Banner

Some supported browsers may still produce a banner stating Your browser does not meet the minimum requirements for Canvas. If you have upgraded your browser but you are still seeing the warning banner, try logging out of Canvas and deleting your browser cookies.

Browser Plugins and Extensions

Some browser plugins or extensions may conflict with Canvas and affect functionality. If you experience behavior that does not allow you to view or participate in Canvas courses, please ensure you have disabled any extensions or plugins that interact directly with your web browser.

For troubleshooting, consider logging in to Canvas using an incognito or private browser window, which will provide a browser session without any prior browsing or search history, associated browser cookies, or other factors that may interfere with the browser. If you are able to view and participate in Canvas using an incognito or private browser window, the behavior you are experiencing is likely related to the browser and not Canvas.

Known Browser Behaviors

Like all Canvas features, contrary behaviors relating to browsers are prioritized by our product teams, and some behaviors in the previous version may not be resolved. If a behavior exists in the previous version of the browser that does not exist in the current version, the best solution is to update to the newest browser version.

Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari use HTML5 to display website content, promoting a faster, more secure browsing experience. HTML5 audio and video may not be supported in older browsers, so audio and video must still be used via Flash.

For best performance in Canvas, course content should be designed to support HTML5. Any affected content in older browsers can still be accessed by manually allowing permission for flash content in the browser.

In browsers such as Safari, insecure content will never be displayed in the browser.

However, in Chrome and Firefox, you have the option to view insecure content. Please be aware of possible restrictions and view insecure content with caution.

The following are known issues in Chrome and Firefox that may block or create mixed content within Canvas.

Chrome Security

Google Chrome verifies that the website content you view is transmitted securely. If you visit a page in your Canvas course that is linked to insecure content, Chrome will display a shield icon [1] in the browser address bar.

You can choose to override the security restriction and display the content anyway by clicking the shield icon and then clicking the Load unsafe script button [2].

Chrome Media Permissions

Chrome has its own media permission within the browser. To use your computer camera and microphone within any Canvas feature, you will have to approve two permissions:

Allow access to Canvas via the Adobe Flash Player Settings [1]. This prompt appears in the center of the video and audio pop-up windows, or the center of the browser if you are accessing Conversations.
Allow access to Canvas via Chrome's media permission settings [2]. This prompt appears just below the address bar. Click the Allow button.

Firefox Security

Firefox verifies that the website content you view is transmitted securely. If you visit a page in your Canvas course that is linked to insecure content, Firefox will display a lock with a warning icon in the browser address bar [1].

You can choose to override the security restriction and display the content anyway by clicking the lock with a warning icon, clicking the arrow to expand your options [2], and selecting the Disable protection for now button [3].

Browsing Data

Browsers store data to make your online experience more efficient and convenient, but sometimes this data can over-accumulate and prevent you from correctly receiving the most up-to-date information from sites such as Canvas, Blackboard, Panopto, etc. Some tips to avoid this are:

Periodically logging out and back into your Pitt SSO account.
Periodically restarting your browser
Periodically clearing your browser cache (will log you out of all accounts)
- Google Chrome tutorial
- Mozilla Firefox tutorial

Third Party Cookies

Some third party integrations with Canvas, such as Panopto, Zoom, Box, Office 365, Adobe CC, etc, will need to authenticate your Pitt SSO ID in order to verify your access to their tools, and so Canvas must be able to pass these credentials along to whatever tool you're trying to access. Many browsers have security measures in place to prevent websites from doing this (Safari being one of the most stringent in this regard), and so users may encounter a permission error when trying to access third party integrations from Canvas, even when they are already signed into their Pitt SSO ID. To get around this issue, we recommend enabling third party cookies in your browser. Below are links to tutorials on how to do this for the specific browser you are using.

When accessing third party tools through Canvas, you may be presented with a login screen for that tool. When this occurs, unless you already have and intend to use your own paid license for that tool, you should always use your full Pitt email address (including the "@pitt.edu" part) so the site knows you're from Pitt. This should redirect you to the Pitt SSO page, or automatically confirm your authentication through your browser login token. If prompted beforehand, select "Enterprise Login" or "SSO Login" where applicable, and if asked for an organization, choose the University of Pittsburgh or Pitt.

Adobe CC

Select an account image

Microsoft Office 365/OneDrive/Sharepoint

Work or school account image

Panopto

Panopto log in image

Zoom

Zoom SSO login image

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