Refused to Connect Error

Overview

Modern web browsers enhance website security by disallowing one website to display content within another site in certain circumstances. This can be an issue when a link posted in Blackboard tries to open within the Blackboard course frame. There are steps content creators can take to prevent this issue and things the content viewer can do to circumvent the problem if they encounter it. 

Disallowed links set to open "In the Current Window" may present a blank screen and display an error that reads in part "refused to connect." This may occur in any space of a Blackboard where a link can be created. 

Accessing Broken Links

If you encounter a link that gives a "refused to connect" error, it is because your browser isn't letting you open that webpage inside of the current window. The solution is to bring up the menu for the link so you can force it to "Open Link in New Tab/Window." On a mobile device it may mean pressing and holding the link. On a computer or laptop, how to do so will depend on your operating system and browser. In most cases you can right-click on a mouse, two finger-click on a trackpad or magic mouse, or hold down the command or control button on your keyboard while you click. From there you can either selected "Open Link in New Tab" or "Open Link in New Window" to access the content. 

Creating Links that Work

Content creators can help ensure their links work by selecting the option for "New window" when links are created. The last option in the link creation dialog is labeled "Open link in..." The default value is "Current window." Clicking the dialog and changing it to "New window" before clicking save will help people accessing your content to avoid the error screen.