Article Type: General Information/Update

Response: 

• D2L Brightspace Session Timeout Update – Important Information for Students and Instructors
• See below for reporting timeout issues by submitting a ticket

Answer: 

D2L Brightspace now enforces a 30-minute session timeout for inactive users. If no qualifying activity occurs within 30 minutes, users will be required to sign in again to continue using Brightspace.

This update supports system-wide security requirements and aligns with industry best practices, including NIST and OWASP security standards. Similar session timeout requirements may be implemented in other applications over time.

What Counts as Activity?

The following actions will keep your Brightspace session active:

• Navigate to a new page
• Click buttons or links that trigger a save action
• Type in text fields, such as Written Response quiz questions
• Respond to the "Are you still there?" prompt when it appears

The following actions do not keep your session active:

• Scrolling through a page
• Watching videos or other passive activities without interaction
• Random or repeated clicks that do not trigger system activity

What Happens When a Session Times Out?

• If you are inactive for approximately 30 minutes, Brightspace displays an "Are you still there?" prompt.
• Select the prompt to continue your session.
• If no response is provided and the timeout period is exceeded, you will be required to sign in to Brightspace again.
• In most situations, including quizzes, previously saved work is retained and can be resumed after signing back in.

Known Impacts and Current Issues

The Minnesota State System Office and D2L are currently investigating the following known issues:

• Quiz auto-save actions may not extend a user's session.
• Video playback and interaction may not extend a user's session.

Guidance for Students

To avoid session timeout interruptions:

• Interact with Brightspace at least every 20–25 minutes by clicking, typing, saving, or navigating to another page.
• Do not rely on passive activities such as watching long videos without interacting with Brightspace.
• If timed out during a quiz:
  • Sign back in as soon as possible.
  • Re-enter the quiz attempt if re-entry is allowed.

Guidance for Instructors

To reduce disruptions caused by session timeouts:

Design Assessments with Interaction in Mind

• Break longer assessments into multiple pages.
• Limit quizzes to five or fewer questions per page when possible.
• Include periodic opportunities for students to interact with the system.

Review Timing Settings

• Avoid tight quiz end dates and times when extended inactivity may occur.
• Consider enabling quiz re-entry when appropriate.
• Review and use "Exceeded Time Limit" options as needed.

Communicate Expectations

• Inform students that they must actively interact with Brightspace during long quizzes, exams, and activities.
• Remind students that passive activities may not prevent a session timeout. e

Reporting Session Timeout Issues

If students or instructors experience session timeout issues:

• Submit a ticket through your campus support channel.
• Include the following information:
  • Description of what occurred
  • Who was impacted
  • Course name or example
  • Approximate number of students affected

• Providing detailed information helps the support team, System Office, and D2L track issues and assess impact.

Summary:

Provides information about the Brightspace 30-minute inactivity timeout, including what actions keep a session active, known impacts, guidance for students and instructors, Applies to all Brightspace students and instructors.