Using Compatibility Mode in Internet Explorer

Using Blackboard in Internet Explorer 8 or 9 Requires Compatibility Mode

Compatibility Mode makes IE 8 and IE 9 appear to be Internet Explorer 7, so functions that don't work correctly in IE 8 or 9 will work with Compatibility Mode turned on. The instructions below will help you turn Compatibility Mode on for IE 8 or IE 9.

Instructions for Internet Explorer 8 or 9

1. In Internet Explorer 8 or 9, go to https://courses.wwu.edu/. You don't need to log in to Blackboard.

2. Click the "Tools" menu in Internet Explorer.

3. Select "Compatibility View" from the menu.

This menu may not be visible in IE 9 if you have your toolbar hidden. To display the toolbar, use the gear icon in the upper right corner of the IE 9 browser window frame to make the toolbar visible, then use the Tools menu to set Compatibility View to on as shown above.

Another way to set this mode is to click the "broken page" icon in your browser's toolbar, if you see one there. (It may be hidden.) If you can see the "broken page" icon, make sure it is displayed in a depressed state in order to verify that the site is being viewed in Compatibility Mode.

In Internet Explorer 9, this icon is smaller and is located to the right of the URL in the URL field. If compatibility mode is on, the icon will be bright blue.

If you have trouble setting your browser to compatibility mode, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@wwu.edu for assistance, or call them at 650-3333.