Setting up Multi-Factor Authentication for a Northwestern Canvas Admin Account

The process for authenticating your Canvas Administrator account will be different from the process for regular Canvas accounts due to the different sign-in process for Admin accounts. Just as Northwestern Canvas Admin accounts are separate from normal Net-ID accounts, this process will set up a second Duo option specific to accessing the admin side of Canvas.  

  1. Go to the Northwestern Canvas Admin URL: https://canvas.northwestern.edu/login/canvas 
  2. Enter your Canvas Admin ID and password. You’ll be directed to a page that looks like this: 
    Canvas Admin landing page
  3. Open the Duo App on your phone.
  4. Click the +Add button on the Accounts dashboard.
    Adding a Duo account
  5. Select Use QR code at the top of the list.
  6. Use your phone to scan the QR code on the Canvas Admin login screen when prompted by Duo. A new Duo account will be created in the app.
    QR code scan
  7. Name it something like “Canvas Admin Login” to distinguish the account from your regular Northwestern Duo account.
    • Please note, unlike your normal NetID login, it will not send a push notification for login attempts. You will need to use the passcode provided by the app when prompted for a Verification Code every time you access the Canvas Admin.
    • Duo Health (Feinberg) users: 
      • iPhone users will also be required to create a password specific to accessing the Canvas Admin authenticator within Duo. Please make note of this additional password for your records. It is recommended to set the password to be the same as your Canvas Admin password. 
      • Android users may also be prompted to create a backup with Google Drive but it is neither necessary nor recommended.
    • For regular Duo app users:
      • iPhone users may also be prompted to create a password for the Canvas Admin authenticator within Duo or pair it with another service. 
      • Android users may also be prompted to create a backup with Google Drive but it is neither necessary nor recommended.
  8. Enter the 6-digit passcode provided by your Canvas Admin account in Duo on the Canvas Admin login screen, click the option to “Remember this computer,” and click Verify.
    New Duo account with passcodeEnter the Duo passcode in the Canvas Admin  

You should now be logged in to your Canvas Admin portal.     

When logging in to the Canvas Admin portal in the future, you will need to use the 6-digit passcode within 30 seconds of entering your Canvas Admin ID and password on the login page.  

Having trouble getting set up? Make sure you are using a regular browser window and not an incognito window. The login process may be affected if you are using an incognito window. Also, be sure and check that your browser version is up to date.  

If you repeatedly get an "Invalid Token" message when attempting to log in, please delete the new Canvas Admin account in Duo, clear your browser cache, and then reattempt to set up the Canvas Admin Duo account. 

Need help? Email canvas@northwestern.edu

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Article ID: 2325
Created
Wed 5/31/23 3:41 PM
Modified
Tue 4/16/24 11:02 AM

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Resources for members of Northwestern University responsible for supporting courses, departments, programs, or schools in Canvas.