This page covers a list is common issues you my encounter when working in Blackboard Ultra
đ I canât log in to Blackboard
Account conflicts - using other Microsoft accounts
Please note that we recommend signing out of any personal, or workplace Office/Office 365 accounts before signing in to Blackboard Learn.
Ulster University uses Microsoft Office 365 for Single Sign-on (SSO). If you are logged in/ or have recently logged into a non-UU Office 365 account, your browser may pick up this account and prevent you from logging into Blackboard.
If you have another office account this may be detected automatically, make sure you are using your ulster account:
If another account is detected choose âUse another accountâ and enter your ulster email and address.
A simple way of seeing which account you are logged into is to visit https://office.com and select your initials at the top right of the screen. This will display the name of the account you are currently logged in with (see image below).
If you are using a personal/workplace/non-Ulster University Office.com/Office 365 account you should first Sign out of that account (and close your browser) before attempting to login to Blackboard Learn using your Ulster University account details.
Expired sessions
If you are logged into Blackboard Learn and leave the session open within your browser, the system will timeout after a set period of time (typically 8 hours) resulting in an error message. To resolve this issue we suggest going to Microsoft Office (logging in if you are not aready logged in), selecting your initials at the top right of the screen and choosing the Sign Out link (highlighted in red below):
Please note that we also recommend signing out of email if you are using the web version of Outlook
You should then close and open your browser and try to login again.
I donât have a university account
The majority of staff need a University email for access to Blackboard Learn.
New full time member of staff (with an e-code e123456) are automatically assigned an email and password. You will find these details in the personal email used on your application and or contract (check your spam if you canât see it in your inbox). Contact HR hr@ulster.ac.uk or servicedesk@ulster.ac.uk if you havenât received your new login details.
Associate members of staff e.g. those with part-time, short-term or temporary contracts (with an a-code a12345) will receive their welcome email and password reset in their personal email account used in their application (check your spam if you canât see it in your inbox). In addition, Associate members need their A-Code/email to set up their account. Contact the member of staff who sponsored your application, they will have received a notification email with your A-Code.
Iâve forgotten my login details.
Use the same credentials that you use for the MyDay Portal or University e-mail i.e. your Ulster University e-mail address and network password.
Iâve forgotten my network password
You can reset your account on the Microsoft website at https://passwordreset.microsoftonline.com/ or by following the instructions at Self-Service Password Reset.
I canât use my Multi-factor Authentification.
Ensure that you have Multi Factor Authentication (MFA) is enabled.
Log in to Microsoft 365, click on your initials or photograph in the top right hand corner
and click on View account
Click on Security info
Make sure the Default sign-in method is set to âMicrosoft Authenticator- notificationâ. If it is not click Change and select âMicrosoft Authenticator- notificationâ from the drop down menu.
If you do not have Multi-factor authentication (MFA) set-up, follow the the guide to setting-up MFA or follow this Digital Services guide for MFA.
I canât see any of my courses
Make sure you are in Courses view in Blackboard.
Once you are logged into Blackboard you are automatically taken to Activity stream, click on Courses in the left hand menu.
If no courses appear in Courses view, you may need assigned to the module. You can use module manager to gain access to a module, if you are still having problems contact the module coordinator.
Check your Course filters
If no courses appear in Courses view, check your filter settings at the top of the page, Terms filter should be set to All terms and Filters all courses.
Getting support from Digital Services
Digital Services support the technical infrastructure for online learning and provides technical support and training.
Digital services provide support for email, password, Student portal, Eduroam wifi, hardware, software, and printing.
Check out the Digital Services getting started student guide
Or contact the Digital Services Service desk
Online Servicedesk
Phone: 028 9536 7776
Email: servicedesk@ulster.ac.uk
When contacting Digital Services, remember to state
your B-number (e.g. B00123456),
personal and [if available] ulster email addresses (e.g. jjsmith2011@gmail.com and smith-j3@ulster.ac.uk),
description of the problem
screenshots (on a PC use PrintScreen and on a Mac Cmd + Shift + 5)
Contacting the Blackboard helpdesk
Contact the Blackboard helpdesk if you are having issues with setting up or accessing assignments or learning materials etc. within the Blackboard learning environment.
NB For technical problems such as logging in and password issues, please contact Digital Services.
For issues within Blackboard, you can
or call: +44 28 9536 7188
When contacting Blackboard helpdesk, to speed up our support, please state
your name, a-code or e-code
module code & CRN e.g. BMS859 & 64404
ulster email address e.g. j.smith@ulster.ac.uk (contact Digital Services if you donât know your ulster email)
type of issue e.g. Turnitin dropbox -Coursework 1 Scientific paper - not working
description of problem
and screenshots (on a PC use PrintScreen and on a Mac Cmd + Shift + 5)