Foundations

A Student Can't See a Quiz or Assignment

Students in the room and something's wrong?

First, tell students: stay where you are, don't log out, and don't start a new attempt. What they've typed in Canvas is saved as they go.

FIX IT YOURSELF

A student is stuck on a quiz · the six usual causes
Quiz Recovery · reopen, add time, regrade
LockDown Browser: when it breaks · every error message
Exam over two days · Take again, blank attempts, locked out
Canvas guide: Moderate a New Quiz · official steps

GET A PERSON

TEAMS JASON BEYER for Canvas and exam problems

The Teams button fills in what we need: the quiz link (copy the address bar while you're on the quiz), the section and when class ends, what students see (a phone photo works), and how many students.

Device, login, Wi-Fi, or LockDown Browser won't install? That one is HelpDesk: call x8080.

JASON NOT ANSWERING? STOPPING IS SAFE

If it isn't fixed this period, end the exam: have students click Submit. Nothing is lost. Finish another day: Moderate → pencil → Reopen puts each student back where they left off.

Nine times out of ten it is one of these — check in order.

1 · Is it published?

Unpublished = invisible to students. Look for the green check on the item and on its module.

2 · The availability window

“Available from / Until” dates: if right now is outside that window, they can't open it. Edit → Assign To → check the dates.

3 · Who it's assigned to

If it's assigned to a specific section or student list, everyone else won't see it. Assign To → set to Everyone or add their section.

4 · Module lock or prerequisite

Inside a module that's locked until a date, or with a prerequisite they haven't met, it stays hidden. Modules → check the module's lock date and requirements.

5 · Section / added late

A student in a different section than the assignment, or added after you assigned it, may not see it.

Fastest fix: publish it, widen the Until date, or set Assign To → Everyone.

Last verified · August 2026