Canvas FAQs

Find answers to the Frequently Asked Questions on Canvas:

• What do I do if I am unable to log into Canvas?

  • If you are unable to log into Canvas but have previously been able to, please make sure you are using the correct link and update any existing bookmarks to:https://sjsu.instructure.com
    Also, try clearing your browser's cache by following these instructions on this article on "Clear Your Browser's Cache" and then try logging in. 

    If you are still unable to login, then your password might have been expired. So, please use the Password Help page to reset the password or contact IT helpdesk on 408-924-1530 to get help on resetting it.

• What do I do if I am unable to see a present course on my Canvas dashboard?

  • After logging in to Canvas, you can see the tiles of the courses on your dashboard. But, if you do not see a course on your dashboard, please click on 'Courses' menu on the left, then click 'All Courses' option. You will now see all the courses from the current enrollments. You can now click on the Star★ button next to the course name and attach it to your dashboard. On the other hand, if you want to remove a course tile from your dashboard, again go inside the 'All Courses' option and Unstar☆ the course.

• I just registered for my course, why am I unable to access it on Canvas?

  • Although you may have successfully enrolled in your course using MySJSU, it could take up to 24 hours for the class to appear on Canvas. Another likely scenario is that your instructor has not made the course available yet to students. If it has been longer than 24 hours without your course appearing in Canvas then you may want to contact your professor directly about making the course available in Canvas.

• How do I allow users to view my ePortfolio?

  • Click on your profile in My ePortfolios and then click on ePortfolio settings on the left hand navigation menu. Check the Make it Public check box. Other users should now be able to view your ePortfolio.

• What to do when you do not see a completed course on your dashboard?

  • Every single course on canvas has an end date set by the Instructors of that course. The course is meant to be concluded after the students give their finals. After that, the course will be removed from the dashboard and the access to the course will be revoked. This means, the students will no longer be able to access the course after completing it.

• How long can I access my course material from previous semesters on Canvas?

  • You will have the access to your course material only till 30 days after the course has ended. You would need to request the course instructor incase you need the access to the course further.

• What do I do if I see a 'Page not found' error but was previously accessible?

  • This usually happens due to the presence of the old cache in your browser. Please clear your browser cache by following the steps given in the page Guide to clear the browser cache. If you still find a 'page not found' error when trying to access a file/assignment, then please contact the professor to notify this.

​If you did not find an answer to your question, email us at [email protected].

Download Adobe Reader