LockDown Browser Internet Disconnected During Exam on Mac (Recovery Guide)
A Wi-Fi drop during an active LDB exam is recoverable in almost every case. Submitted answers persist server-side via LMS auto-save; the connection re-establishes; the exam resumes. The exception is the answer to the question you're currently typing in (LMS-dependent). Below: the calm recovery procedure.
What happens during the disconnect
- LDB notices the disconnect within ~10-30 seconds (LMS heartbeat fails).
- LDB shows a "Connection Lost" banner. The exam interface stays on screen.
- You can continue typing during the disconnect - most LMSes buffer locally.
- The timer continues running on most LMS configurations (some pause on disconnect; varies by institution).
- When connectivity returns, LDB reconnects and the exam continues.
What survives the disconnect
| State | Survives? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple-choice answers you clicked | ✓ | Most LMSes auto-save on click |
| Essay text you saved by clicking Next | ✓ | Saved on navigation |
| Essay text in current question (mid-typing) | Depends on LMS | Canvas auto-saves keystroke; Blackboard Original doesn't |
| Monitor recording (uploaded portion) | ✓ | Recording uploads in chunks throughout exam |
| Monitor recording (current chunk) | Buffered locally | Re-uploaded on reconnect |
| Exam timer state | Server-side | LMS knows your remaining time |
| Kiosk mode lock | ✓ | LDB stays in kiosk during disconnect |
Per-LMS save behavior
- Canvas (Instructure): auto-saves on every keystroke. Force-quit + reconnect typically loses 0-1 questions.
- Blackboard Original: saves on Next/Previous navigation. The current question's typed answer is lost if you didn't click Next.
- Blackboard Ultra: auto-saves periodically. Usually fine.
- D2L Brightspace: saves on every interaction. Safe.
- Moodle: saves on Next or auto-save (configurable per-quiz). Variable.
- Sakai: saves on Next. The current question may be lost.
The recovery procedure
- Don't panic. Take your hands off the keyboard for a moment.
- Wait 30 seconds. Most disconnects resolve on their own - your Wi-Fi router or your ISP recovers and LDB reconnects.
- If still disconnected, switch to cellular hotspot. Pull out your phone, enable Personal Hotspot, connect your Mac to it via Wi-Fi. LDB doesn't care about the network change.
- If LDB freezes (won't accept input), force-quit. ⌘+⌥+Esc → LockDown Browser → Force Quit. Note the time.
- Open Safari, sign in to your LMS. Navigate to the in-progress exam. Most LMSes show "Resume Quiz".
- Click Resume. Continue where you left off.
- If the exam shows "Auto-submitted" or "No in-progress attempt", email your instructor immediately. Provide the disconnect time and approximate progress.
If LDB force-closed the exam (5+ minute disconnect)
Some LMS configurations auto-submit exams that stay disconnected past a threshold (commonly 5 minutes). If this happens:
- Your submitted answers up to the disconnect are saved.
- The instructor sees the disconnect timestamp in the LMS log.
- Email your instructor immediately with: time of disconnect, approximate question you were on, technical evidence (a screenshot of your network status if you took one).
- Most universities have a policy where verifiable technical failures don't penalize the student. The instructor can either re-grade based on completed questions or issue a make-up exam.
Pre-exam network setup to minimize disconnect risk
- Use wired Ethernet via USB-C if available.
- If on Wi-Fi, sit close to the router. Most home Wi-Fi degrades fast at distance.
- Have cellular hotspot ready as a backup. Cellular is generally more stable than residential Wi-Fi.
- Don't take the exam during peak ISP hours if your provider has known evening congestion.
- If you're on university Wi-Fi, confirm captive portal authentication is fresh before launching LDB.
Frequently asked questions
Will my instructor know the disconnect happened?
Yes - both your LMS and the Monitor recording (if active) log it. Most instructors are sympathetic to verifiable network failures, especially when paired with an immediate email.
Can I switch from Wi-Fi to hotspot mid-exam without LDB flagging it?
LDB doesn't flag network changes per se - it monitors the LMS connection. The IP change may be logged in network-side telemetry, but it's not a kiosk-mode violation.
If my Mac's Wi-Fi card dies during the exam, is there anything I can do?
Cellular hotspot is the only recovery if the Wi-Fi hardware fails. Connect via Personal Hotspot from your phone. If that's also unavailable, force-quit and email the instructor.
Will the timer pause during my disconnect?
Depends on your institution's LMS configuration. Canvas defaults to "timer continues"; some institutions configure "timer pauses on disconnect". Check your specific exam's settings or ask your instructor.