Browsers for Blackboard: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Web browser for Blackboard?
- Microsoft Windows: Firefox 3.5 or later, or Internet Explorer 8
- Macintosh: Firefox 3.5 or later, or Safari 4 or later
What is the required configuration for all Web browsers?
Web browsers used with Blackboard must have java and JavaScript enabled, cookies and third-party cookies enabled, and pop-up blocker disabled.
Why isn't Blackboard showing new Web content or new files?
You need to set your browser to clear its cache or always get the latest content.
- IE: Tools -> Internet Options -> Settings (under Browsing History) -> for "Check for newer versions of stored pages", select "Everytime I visit the webpage" and click OK.
- Firefox: Tools -> Options -> Privacy tab -> under Private Data, check "Always clear my private data when I close Firefox" -> click on "Settings..." make sure "Cache" is checked, and click OK.
Why do I get this annoying IE prompt window "This page contains secure and non-secure items"?
We get that prompt from IE 8 because IE 8 prompts by default whenever it shows a Web page with mixed content, i.e. with SSL and non-SSL content. To get rid of this annoying IE 8 prompt and allow mixed content do this:
- Open Internet Explorer
- Click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options
- Click the Security tab, and then click the Custom Level button
- In the Security Settings dialog box, scroll to the Display mixed content setting in the Miscellaneous section, and then click Enable
- Click OK in the Security Settings dialog box, and then click OK to exit Internet Options
Why does clicking on SafeAssign, Wiki's or Blogs produce an error message?
You need to configure your Web browser to always allow 3rd-party cookies. To enable cookies in IE 7:
- Click Start > Control Panel. (Note: with Windows XP Classic View, click the Windows Start button > Settings > Control Panel)
- Double-click the Internet Options icon
- Click the Privacy tab
- Click the Advanced button
- Select the option 'Override automatic cookie handling' under the Cookies section in the Advanced Privacy Settings window
- Select the 'Accept' or 'Prompt' option under 'First-party Cookies'
- Select the 'Accept' or 'Prompt' option under 'Third-party Cookies.' (Note: if you select the 'Prompt' option, you'll be prompted to click OK every time a website attempts to send you a cookie)
- In the Internet Options window, click OK to exit
How do I enable cookies in Firefox 3.x (PC)?
- Click Tools > Options
- Click Privacy in the top panel
- Select the checkbox labeled 'Accept cookies from sites'
- Select the checkbox labeled 'Accept third-party cookies'
- Click OK
How do I enable cookies in Firefox (Mac)?
- Go to the Firefox drop-down menu
- Select Preferences
- Click Privacy
- Under Cookies, select the option 'Accept cookies from sites
How do I enable cookies in Safari?
- Go to the Safari drop-down menu
- Select Preferences
- Click Security in the top panel
- Under 'Accept Cookies' select the option 'Always'
Blackboard Inc. List of Supported Browsers
- Browser & OS Requirements: Blackboard Learn Release 9
- Blackboard 9.0 SP3 Supported Browsers & Operating Systems
Solutions to Common Browser problems.
- Make sure the Java Runtime Environment is installed. You will need to have the Sun Microsystems Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed. Please visit the Sun website to download the latest version. If, while troubleshooting, you are having difficulty removing older versions of the JRE please visit Sun's support site.
- Make sure that Javascript is enabled in the browser. Javascript is enabled by default on all supported browsers. However, if you encounter problems please check your browser settings to make sure that Javascript is enabled. Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari
- Make sure that cookies from third parties are allowed. Third party cookies are allowed by default on all supported browsers. If you experience problems staying logged in please check your browser settings to make sure you allow third party cookies. Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari
- Pop-up blockers. If you are unable to view discussion postings, quiz windows, and download links, then you may need to disable pop-up blocking. Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari
- Third Party Plug-ins within courses may require the installation of third party plug-ins such as Adobe Flash, Windows Media Player, Realplayer, and many others. In each case there should be a notification and link informing you that you need to install a new plug-in. Be careful that you only install trusted plug-ins that are necessary for the course content. Malicious plug-ins can be dangerous to your computer.
Internet Explorer: Why are my drop down arrows/buttons not opening when I click on them?
You need to either run an earlier version of Internet Explorer, or if you are running IE9 or later run it in compatibility mode as indicated in the image below.
