How to Validate Links in Your Canvas Course

If you are an instructor in a Canvas course, you can check your course for broken links or images using the course link validator. The course link validator searches through the content in your course and generates a list of invalid or unresponsive links and images.

It is a good idea to run the course link validator before publishing your course to ensure all of your course content is viewable and accessible by your students.

Course Link Validator

1. In the Course Navigation, click on Settings.

2. In the sidebar on the right side of the page, click on Validate Links in Content.

3. Click the Start Link Validation button. The link validator will start searching your course for broken links or images. This can take a few minutes depending on the amount of content your course has.

View broken link details

1. If any broken links or images are found, Canvas will show the number of links [1], a list displaying the page containing the broken link [2], and the broken link(s) found on that page [3].

2. Broken content will be identified as either a broken image [1] or a broken link [2].

3. Canvas will also identify the reason the link or image is not working correctly. Links and images may have been incorrectly imported from another course that students may not have access to [1]. Links from external sources may be outdated and unreachable [2]. Links that are connected to unpublished content will also be displayed [3], and links to non-existent content are no longer valid and should be replaced [4].