Enable Third-Party Cookies and Cross-Site Tracking in Your Browser

Sometimes, it is necessary to enable third-party cookies in your browser for web-based applications to function properly. This is particularly true for applications like Blackboard that integrate other services and content, like publisher integrations and multimedia tools (e.g., Kaltura, VoiceThread).

The simplest solution is to enable or allow third-party cookies. You can also enable cookies for a single site, if you prefer to generally block cookies but enable them for Blackboard functionality.

Google Chrome

To enable all cookies in Google Chrome (PC or Mac)

1. In Chrome, click the Chrome menu icon (three dots in the upper right)
2. Click Settings
3. In the Privacy and security section, click Third-party cookies
4. Make sure that Block third-party cookies and Block all cookies are not selected

To enable cookies for a single site in Google Chrome (PC or Mac)

1. In Chrome, click the Chrome menu icon (three dots in the upper right)
2. Click Settings
3. In the Privacy and security section, click Third-party cookies
4. Under Sites allowed to use third-party cookies, click the Add button
5. Enter the web address. The web address for Blackboard at NIU is https://webcourses.niu.edu
6. Click the Add button

To enable all cookies in Google Chrome (iPhone or iPad)

1. Open the iOS Settings (gear icon)
2. Scroll and select Chrome, or swipe down to use the search field
3. Enable the Allow Cross-Website Tracking slider

Safari

It isn't possible to approve cookies for only certain sites in Safari. You will need to enable all cookies, instead.

To enable all cookies in Safari (Mac)

1. In Safari, open the Safari drop-down menu and click Preferences
2. Click Privacy in the top panel
3. Ensure that Prevent cross-site tracking and Block all cookies are both unchecked

To enable all cookies in Safari (iPhone or iPad)

1. Open the iOS Settings (gear icon)
2. Scroll and select Safari, or swipe down to use the search field
3. Disable the Allow Cross-Website Tracking slider
4. Disable the Block All Cookies slider

Firefox

In Firefox, it isn't possible to enable all cookies. Instead, you will need to enable them specifically for each site individually.

To enable cookies for a specific site in Firefox (PC or Mac)

1. Visit the website
2. At the left of the address bar, click the shield icon
3. At the top right of the panel, toggle off the Enhanced Tracking Protection switch. This will disable Enhanced Tracking Protection for the site and will automatically reload the page

Repeat this process for any other pages where you need to allow cookies.

Microsoft Edge

To enable all cookies in Edge (PC)

1. In Edge, click the Settings and more menu in the upper right (the ellipsis ...)
2. Click Settings
3. Go to Privacy, search, and services using the left-hand menu
4. Ensure that Balanced is selected
5. Go to Cookies and site permissions using the left-hand menu
6. Click Manage and delete cookies and site data
7. Disable the toggle for Block third-party cookies
8. Restart your browser

To enable cookies for a specific site in Edge (PC)

1. In Edge, click the Settings and more menu in the upper right (the ellipsis ...)
2. Click Settings
3. Go to Privacy, search, and services using the left-hand menu
4. Ensure that Balanced is selected
5. Go to Cookies and site permissions using the left-hand menu
6. Click Manage and delete cookies and site data
7. In the Allow section, click the Add button
8. Enter the web address. The web address for Blackboard at NIU is https://webcourses.niu.edu
9. Click the Add button
10. Restart your browser