City University of Hong Kong

Digital Learning Support

City University of Hong Kong

Digital Learning Support

Respondus LockDown Browser Student Guide

  • last updated on 13 October 2026
We strongly recommend that students go through the steps of using the Respondus LockDown Browser to attempt a Canvas practice quiz (mock examination) before the actual examination. If you do not see a mock examination quiz that requires the LockDown Browser in your Canvas course, please contact your course leader / course teacher for assistance.

Respondus LockDown Browser in the CSC Rooms


  1. Please boot into Windows as the option when starting up the student LAN computer.
  2. Once you are logged into Windows using your CityUHK EID and password, you should see the LockDown Browser icon on the desktop screen.
  3. If you cannot find the LockDown Browser icon on the desktop screen, install it after clicking "Respondus Lockdown Browser ...... (Canvas)" under the "Departmental Software" section on the Work Desk page which the shortcut icon is also located on the desktop screen.
  4. To start the quiz, please follow the steps of Attempting a Quiz with Respondus LockDown Browser in a regular web browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge.


Installing LockDown Browser on your Personal Windows Computer


Before installing the LockDown Browser, please read the Respondus Technical Support article "What are the computer requirements for installations of Respondus LockDown Browser?". On your Windows computer, check the Windows version, memory and hard disk space to ensure they meet the system requirements.


Please download the LockDown browser installation file from the below webpage.
https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=997146130


  1. Once you click on the installation file, please click Yes to allow the installation.
  2. Choose Setup Language: English (United States)
  3. On the "License Agreement" screen, select the I accept the terms of the license agreement option, then click the Next button.
  4. After successful installation, click the Finish button on the "InstallShield Wizard Complete" screen.
  5. The LockDown Browser icon will appear on your desktop and under the "Respondus" folder on the program menu.


Installing LockDown Browser on your Personal Mac Computer


Before installing the LockDown Browser, please read the Respondus Technical Support article "What are the computer requirements for installations of Respondus LockDown Browser?". On your Mac computer, check the macOS version, memory and hard disk space to ensure they meet the system requirements.


Please download the LockDown browser installation file from the below webpage.
https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=997146130

  1. Once you click on the installation file, please Allow the installation.
  2. On the "Introduction" and "Licence" parts, click the Continue button.
  3. Please Agree on the license agreement.
  4. On the "Destination Select" part, select the "Install for all users of this computer" option and then Continue.
  5. Click on the Install button to process.
  6. After "Installation" and "Configuration", the message "The installation was successful." would appear on the screen. Please click the Close button.
  7. Click on the LaunchPad icon from the Dock, and the LockDown Browser icon will be shown.


Attempting a Quiz with Respondus LockDown Browser


  1. Log in to Canvas using a regular web browser such as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Edge.
  2. Go to the course, click on Quizzes from the course navigation, and then click on the quiz title.
After clicking on the quiz title, you may click on the Take the Quiz button, and then the warning heading Respondus LockDown Browser Required would be shown.
Please open the LockDown Browser from the program menu (Windows ) or Launchpad (Mac OS ).
The LockDown Browser would automatically visit the CityUHK Canvas login screen. Please Sign In using your CityUHK EID and password in the LockDown Browser again. Then go to the course quiz and click on the Take the Quiz button to start the quiz.

  1. Once you open the Respondus LockDown Browser, you might be asked to close a few applications. Please allow it to close those applications.

    Windows: click the Close Process button

    Mac OS: click the Close Applications button
  2. Once you finish the quiz, please remember to click the Submit Quiz or Submit button to complete the quiz.
  3. After Submit Quiz, you can close the LockDown Browser.

    Windows: click the X button from the top right corner, then click Yes
    Mac OS: click the X button from the top left corner, then click Quit


Troubleshooting Problems


Pop-up Warning Respondus LockDown Browser was launched with an invalid custom launch URL payload. The application will now exit.

Please verify the following.

Windows You are NOT permitted to use the swipe gesture or switch away from LockDown Browser.

Please do not press any Windows key keyboard shortcuts (i.e., + ? ).

iPad Cannot begin the quiz after logging in to the LockDown Browser app directly or "Open the Quiz" from Canvas mobile app

Please follow the steps after installing the "LockDown Browser" app on the iPad.
  1. Open a mobile browser app (i.e., Chrome or Safari),
    1. Log in to Canvas and locate the quiz in the course
    2. After clicking the quiz title, Click to Launch Assessment is shown and then click it
    3. If the browser is Safari, click the Open button on the Open in "LockDown" pop-up
  2. Once the LockDown app opens automatically,
    1. On the Confirm App Self-Lock pop-up, click the Yes button to allow it
    2. You can Begin the quiz


For additional troubleshooting issues, please visit the "Student Support" section of the Respondus Technical Support website.
(Respondus Support: LockDown Browser > Student Support)

Some suggestions are listed below.