Information Services

Learn 404 error with Microsoft Edge

Issue: Users are experiencing a problem when attempting to open or download documents within Learn on the Microsoft Edge browser.

The latest versions of Microsoft Edge offer the ability to open Microsoft Office files directly in the browser. However, this function is not working appropriately with Blackboard.

Users are receiving either an HTTP 404 error, or the Word online application opens but displays the message “Sorry, there was a problem and we can’t open this document. If this happens again, try opening the Document in Microsoft Word.”

There is currently no known timeframe on a fix for this issue, but there are suggested workarounds. Users can use Firefox or Google Chrome, or they can turn off the setting in Microsoft Edge as described below.

edge browser settings
  1. Click on the 3 dots at the right of the browser tool bar.
  2. Select Settings
  3. In the next window select Downloads
  4. Toggle off the option to 'Open Office files in the browser'
Edge browser settings