Lockdown Browser blocks most AI extensions by design

Lockdown Browser is testing software that disables browser features to prevent cheating during online exams. It deliberately blocks extensions — including AI tools — because extensions could let you look up answers, use writing assistants, or access outside information during a test. This is intentional, not a technical limitation you can work around.

If you need an AI extension for schoolwork outside of exam time, you will need to use a different browser. If you are taking a test in Lockdown Browser, the software is designed so that no extensions run at all, whether they are AI tools or anything else.

The one exception is Respondus Monitor, the proctoring add-on that works inside Lockdown Browser itself. This is not an AI extension — it is the monitoring system your school installed. It watches you during the exam but does not help you answer questions.

Key Takeaways

  • Lockdown Browser intentionally disables all extensions, including AI tools, while an exam is running.
  • You cannot install or run ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, or any other AI extension inside Lockdown Browser during a test.
  • If your school requires Lockdown Browser for exams, you must use a regular browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) for any AI-assisted work outside of test time.
  • Attempting to bypass Lockdown Browser's restrictions or use AI tools during a proctored exam violates academic integrity policies and can result in failing the course or disciplinary action.

Why Lockdown Browser blocks extensions in the first place

Lockdown Browser works by locking down your entire computer during an exam — it closes other programs, blocks tab switching, disables copy-paste, and prevents you from accessing the internet outside the test itself. Extensions are part of that lockdown because they could be used to cheat.

An AI extension running in the background could let you type a test question into ChatGPT, get an answer, and paste it back without the proctor knowing. That is why the software does not allow extensions to run at all. The restriction applies equally to every extension: productivity tools, password managers, ad blockers, and AI assistants all get disabled.

This is not a bug or a setting you can change. It is how the software is built. Your school chose Lockdown Browser specifically because it prevents this kind of access.

What happens if you try to use an AI extension during a Lockdown Browser exam

If you have an AI extension installed in your browser, Lockdown Browser will not let it run when you launch the exam. The extension simply will not be available — you cannot click it, activate it, or use it in any way while the lockdown is active.

If you try to close Lockdown Browser and switch to a regular browser to use an AI tool, the exam session ends immediately and is marked as incomplete or flagged for your instructor. Your school's proctoring system will show that you left the exam environment. This typically results in a zero on that test and a report to your academic integrity office.

Even if you think you can do it quickly without being noticed, the monitoring software logs every action. Instructors and proctors review these logs, and the evidence is clear.

Using AI extensions for schoolwork outside of exam time

If you are working on assignments, essays, or practice problems outside of a proctored exam, you can use any browser and any AI extension you want. Switch to Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge — whichever you normally use — and install the AI tool you need.

Popular AI extensions that work in regular browsers include ChatGPT's official extension, Microsoft Copilot, Google's Gemini extension, and Claude's web interface. Each one installs differently depending on the browser, but the process is straightforward: go to the extension store for your browser, search for the tool by name, and click Install.

Check your school's academic integrity policy before using AI on assignments. Some schools allow AI as a brainstorming or editing tool but prohibit submitting AI-generated text as your own work. Others require you to disclose that you used AI. A few ban it entirely. Knowing the rules ahead of time keeps you out of trouble.

Alternatives if you need AI help during exam preparation

If you are studying for a Lockdown Browser exam and want to use AI tools, do that work before you sit down to take the test. Use ChatGPT, Copilot, or another AI assistant to help you understand difficult concepts, generate practice questions, or explain topics you are struggling with. Then close those tools and take the exam in Lockdown Browser without them.

Many students use AI to create study guides, quiz themselves on material, or work through example problems. This kind of preparation is usually allowed and can actually help you perform better on the real exam because you understand the material more deeply.

If your school offers tutoring, office hours, or study groups, those are also available during exam prep. Some instructors will answer questions about the exam format or what topics will be covered — ask before test day so you know what to expect.

What to do if Lockdown Browser is blocking something you need

If you use an accessibility tool, screen reader, or other assistive technology that you think Lockdown Browser might block, contact your school's disability services office or testing center before exam day. They can test whether your tool works with Lockdown Browser and may be able to arrange an alternative testing setup if it does not.

Do not try to work around Lockdown Browser on your own. The software is designed to detect tampering, and attempting to disable it or bypass its restrictions will be logged and reported. Your school takes this seriously.

If you have a legitimate reason you cannot use Lockdown Browser — a medical condition, a disability, a technical issue with your computer — talk to your instructor or testing center in advance. They have procedures for these situations and can often arrange a different way for you to take the exam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install an AI extension and hide it from Lockdown Browser?

No. Lockdown Browser scans your browser before the exam starts and disables all extensions, whether they are hidden or not. There is no way to conceal an extension from the software. Attempting to do so would likely trigger a flag in the proctoring system.

What if I use a different browser that does not have Lockdown Browser installed?

If your school requires you to take an exam in Lockdown Browser, you must use that software. Opening a different browser or switching away from Lockdown Browser during the exam will end your session and be reported to your instructor. The proctoring system logs which application is active at all times.

Can I use an AI extension after I finish the exam but before I submit it?

No. Lockdown Browser remains active until you officially submit and exit the exam. The lockdown does not lift until the test is complete and closed. Once you submit, the exam is over and you cannot make changes.

Is there an AI extension that works inside Lockdown Browser?

No. Lockdown Browser does not allow any third-party extensions to run, including AI tools. The only software that runs inside Lockdown Browser is the monitoring system your school installed, which is not an AI assistant.

What if my school did not tell me Lockdown Browser blocks extensions?

Contact your instructor or testing center and ask what tools are allowed during the exam. It is better to know the rules before you sit down to take the test. If you have questions about what you can and cannot use, ask — that is what your school's support staff are there for.