Respondus LockDown: “Refused to Connect” Issue

Are you seeing one of the following messages when trying to access Respondus LockDown Browser—either through your assessment settings or via Books & Tools in your course?

"blackboard.ndus.edu refused to connect.”
“Firefox Can’t Open This Page: To protect your security, blackboard.ndus.edu will not allow Firefox to display the page if another site has embedded it. To see this page, you need to open it in a new window.”

A screenshot of a browser window displaying an error message that says “blackboard.ndus.edu refused to connect.” The message appears inside a red-bordered box with a broken file icon and a sad face.

A screenshot showing a Firefox browser error message that reads “Firefox Can’t Open This Page.” The message explains that for security reasons, Firefox will not allow blackboard.ndus.edu to be displayed if another site has embedded it. It advises users to open the page in a new window.

Follow these steps to fix the issue and reconnect Respondus LockDown Browser to your course:

Open a browser (Chrome, Firefox, or any browser of your choice) and go to blackboard.ndus.edu.
Log in with your usual Blackboard credentials.
Open any of your courses.
Click on Books & Tools, then select Respondus LockDown Browser Dashboard.
If prompted, click Allow.

This process re-establishes the connection between Respondus and your Blackboard account and reactivates Respondus LockDown Browser access across your courses.

✅ Tip: You only need to do this once per year, or ideally at the start of each semester—especially if you plan on using Respondus LockDown Browser in your course.

Once done, you may close the tab or continue working in your course as needed.

Do you have technical questions or concerns?

You can now submit a ticket to VCSU Technology Services Help Desk through any of the following options:

✓ MyVCSU app or web portal at https://my.vcsu.edu/

✓ Direct link to submit a new ticket: https://onestop.vcsu.edu/support/tickets/new

✓ Email tsticket@vcsu.edu to automatically create a ticket.

✓ You can also give us a call at 1-701-845-7340.

VCSU Technology Services Office Hours:

7:45 am – 4:30 pm CST Monday through Friday (Fall and Spring semesters, closed on holidays)

7:30 am – 4:00 pm CST Monday through Friday (Summer semester)

After Hours:

Please submit a One Stop ticket or contact the NDUS Help Desk 24/7 support for assistance.