How to Remove a Course from Canvas
You can remove a course from your Canvas dashboard by hiding it or unenrolling from it, depending on what you want to accomplish. Hiding a course keeps you enrolled but removes it from your course list—use this if you've finished the course but want to keep your grades. Unenrolling removes you completely from the course and you'll lose access to all materials—use this if you registered by mistake or need to drop the course entirely. The steps differ slightly, and which one you need depends on whether your instructor or the school controls the enrollment.
Canvas does not let you delete a course yourself if you're a student. Only instructors and administrators can delete courses from the system. If you're an instructor trying to delete a course you created, that's a separate process handled through your institution's course management tools.
Key Takeaways
- Hiding a course removes it from your dashboard but keeps you enrolled and your grades intact.
- Unenrolling removes you completely from the course and you lose access to all materials and grades.
- You can hide a course yourself from your dashboard in under one minute.
- Unenrolling may require instructor approval or may be blocked if the course is currently active.
- If you're an instructor, contact your institution's Canvas administrator to delete a course permanently.
How to Hide a Course from Your Dashboard
Hiding a course is the quickest option if you want to clean up your course list but keep your enrollment and grades. Open Canvas and look at your course list on the left side of the screen or in your dashboard. Find the course you want to hide and look for a three-dot menu icon (⋯) next to the course name. Click that menu.
A dropdown menu will appear with several options. Select "Hide from course list" or "Hide" depending on your Canvas version. The course will when ready disappear from your main course list. You can still access it later by clicking "All Courses" at the bottom of your course list, finding the hidden course, and clicking the three-dot menu again to select "Show in course list" if you change your mind.
How to Unenroll from a Course
Unenrolling removes you from the course entirely. This is permanent and you will lose access to all course materials, grades, and assignments. To unenroll, open the course and click the Settings icon (a gear symbol) in the top right corner of the course page. Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
Scroll down to the bottom of the Settings page and look for a button labeled "Unenroll from this course" or "Leave this course." Click it. Canvas will ask you to confirm that you want to unenroll. Click "Unenroll" again to confirm. You will be removed from the course when ready and will no longer see it in your course list or have access to any course content.
Some courses may not allow you to unenroll yourself—for example, if the course is currently active or if your instructor has restricted self-unenrollment. If you don't see the unenroll button, contact your instructor or your school's Canvas support team to request removal.
When Your Instructor Controls Enrollment
If your school uses a system where instructors manually add and remove students, you may not be able to unenroll yourself. In this case, the unenroll button will not appear in your course settings. You'll need to contact your instructor directly and ask them to remove you from the course roster.
Instructors can remove students through the course's People section. They can also deactivate your enrollment, which hides the course from your list but keeps your grades on record. Ask your instructor which option they prefer before you request removal.
If You Registered for the Course by Mistake
If you enrolled in the wrong course and want out when ready, hiding the course is usually faster than waiting for unenrollment approval. Hide it first to get it off your dashboard, then send your instructor an email explaining the mistake and asking them to remove you from the roster if needed.
Some schools have a grace period at the start of the term during which you can unenroll from courses without instructor approval. Check your school's course registration important date—if you're within that window, the unenroll button should work without any additional steps.
If You're an Instructor Trying to Delete a Course
Canvas does not give instructors a self-service delete option for courses. To permanently remove a course from your institution's Canvas system, contact your school's Canvas administrator or IT department. They manage course creation and deletion for compliance and record-keeping reasons.
Before you request deletion, check whether your school prefers to archive old courses instead. Many institutions keep completed courses in an archived state so grades and records remain accessible for transcript purposes. Ask your administrator what your school's policy is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my grades disappear if I hide a course?
No. Hiding a course keeps all your grades and enrollment intact. The course just stops showing in your main course list. You can unhide it anytime and your grades will still be there.
Can I unenroll from a course after the important date?
It depends on your school's policy. Some schools lock unenrollment after a certain date. If the unenroll button doesn't appear, contact your instructor or registrar to see if a late unenrollment is possible.
What happens to my grades if I unenroll?
Your grades are usually retained by your school's records system even after you unenroll from Canvas. However, you won't be able to see them in Canvas anymore. Contact your registrar if you need a copy of your final grade.
Can I hide multiple courses at once?
No. You have to hide courses one at a time using the three-dot menu next to each course name. There is no bulk hide option in Canvas.
What if the hide or unenroll button doesn't appear?
Your instructor or school may have restricted these options. Contact your instructor or your school's Canvas support team and explain what you're trying to do. They can remove you manually or explain why the option is unavailable.