Modules crash my browser when trying to edit

[mark_taormino]

I have a lot of entries in Canvas modules. when I try and edit one of the entries, it crashes the browser. When the edit box opens and I try to edit, the screen fades with a spinning circle. The browser then freezes errors out.  I've tried every browser; the same thing happens so this is not a local issue. I've cleared the cache and history to no avail. There is something wrong with Modules that causes the program to crash. I don't know if there is a limit to the number of modules/assignments that would cause this. I sense a size issue. 

I am an instructor and have been using Canvas for many years. This problem started about a month ago. The school does not know what would cause this. 

[Ron_Bowman]

@mark_taormino -

How many entries do you have in your modules?  How many modules?  I would think that it would have to be a very large number to cause issues.

A problem I have had was related to my computer memory - not having enough.  Another issue I have had is with chrome locking up on me when I have several chrome windows open(30 or so).  I have also had issues sometimes right after chrome updated (don't know why, but something I noticed).

If it has been going on for a while, my best guess would be an issue your computers memory and having several browser windows open.

If it is actually a numbers issue, reporting how many modules and how many entries per module would be useful for the instructure people that read the questions.

[mark_taormino]

I have 10 modules with about 150 entries. I have 32GB RAM. It happens with every browser; Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Brave, etc. If I collapse the modules and open only one at a time, it does not crash. This is likely a software design issue. 

[Ron_Bowman]

@mark_taormino -

I do not think it is a software issue.  If you are stating 10 modules with 150 entries total (15/module average), I have a course with 20 modules and around 300 entries total with no issues.  I would see if the issue exists with only a single browser open (all other apps closed).  I would also perform a complete cleaning of all cookies, cache and other stuff associated with the browser.  

I could care less about cache, stored data or cookies being saved, so I delete all of that everytime I close a browser.  Plus I also turn my computer off every night.  So, that may be why I do not have problems - who knows.  All I know is sometimes my computer will do strange stuff as well.

[mswope]

Hi Mark -

I would try troubleshooting with your browser a bit. Make sure that your browser is fully up to date.  Try clearing your cache/cookies. Finally, try fully logging out of your browser profile and logging back in. (This does not necessarily happen even with a reboot of your computer.)

If the problem persists, I would try accessing Canvas from a different web browser to see if you experience the same issues.  

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[KristinL · Accepted solution]

@mark_taormino -

If after trying the suggestions shared by @Ron_Bowman and @mswope you are still experiencing issues with Modules, I hope you reach out to Canvas Support. One of the agents will be able to take a closer look at Modules within your course and be able to better diagnose the issue. 

How do I contact Canvas Support? 

[mark_taormino]

The school opened a ticket on Aug 19 but I have not had any reply. I cannot contact support directly; it has to go through an dedicated school contact. There is a serious volume related issue. I have many other faculty struggling with the course. Firefox can handle it without crashing but slows to a crawl. Forget Chrome or Edge; crashes constantly. There are hundreds of links to another learning system in both assignments and modules. There is obviously a limit to the number of entries in Canvas before it can not handle the volume. It limit is surely not apparent; perhaps Instructure in not even aware.