You can unenroll from a Canvas course in a few clicks, but the steps depend on whether the course is still active or already finished

To leave a Canvas course, go to your course list, find the course name, click the three-dot menu next to it, and select "Unenroll" or "Leave Course." The exact wording depends on your Canvas version and your role in the course. If you are a student, you will almost always see an unenroll option. If you are an instructor or teaching assistant, you may not have the option to leave — your institution controls whether you can remove yourself.

The process takes less than a minute. Once you unenroll, the course disappears from your active course list, though your grades and submissions usually remain in your account history if you need them later. Some institutions archive old courses automatically, so you may not see the option to leave if the course has already ended.

Key Takeaways

  • Students can unenroll from most Canvas courses by clicking the three-dot menu next to the course name and selecting "Unenroll."
  • Unenrolling removes the course from your active list but does not delete your grades, submissions, or course history.
  • Instructors and teaching assistants may not have the option to leave a course — contact your Canvas administrator if you need to be removed.
  • If you cannot find the unenroll option, the course may already be archived or your role may not allow self-removal.

Finding the unenroll option on your course list

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 leave. Next to the course name, you should see three dots arranged vertically (sometimes called a "menu button" or "more options" button). Click those three dots.

A small menu will pop up. Look for an option that says "Unenroll," "Leave Course," or "Remove from Courses." Click it. Canvas will ask you to confirm — click "Yes" or "Confirm" to finish. The course will disappear from your active list when ready.

What happens to your grades and work after you unenroll

Unenrolling does not erase your grades, assignments, or submissions. Your academic record stays in your account. If you need to see your grades later, you can usually find them in your transcript or in an archived section of Canvas, depending on how your school sets it up.

If you unenroll by mistake, contact your instructor or your school's Canvas support team right away. They can re-enroll you in the course, and your work will still be there. The sooner you ask, the easier it is to fix.

Why you might not see the unenroll option

If you click the three-dot menu and do not see an unenroll button, one of these reasons is likely:

  • You are an instructor or teaching assistant — your school may not allow instructors to remove themselves from courses they teach.
  • The course is archived — your institution may have moved old courses to storage, and you cannot unenroll from archived courses.
  • Your role does not have permission — your Canvas administrator may have restricted unenroll rights for certain user types.
  • The course is still in setup — some schools lock courses until they are officially open.

If you are an instructor who needs to leave a course, contact your school's Canvas administrator or IT support. They can remove you manually. If the course is archived and you need access to your records, ask your school's registrar or records office.

Unenrolling on mobile Canvas apps

The Canvas mobile app works the same way as the web version. Open the app, go to your courses, and find the course you want to leave. Tap and hold the course name, or look for a three-dot menu icon. Select "Unenroll" or "Leave Course" from the menu that appears.

If the mobile app does not show an unenroll option, try using Canvas on a web browser instead. Some features work better on the full website than on the app.

Leaving a course versus hiding it

Canvas also lets you hide a course instead of leaving it. Hiding removes the course from your active list, but you stay enrolled and can still access it if you search for it. Unenrolling completely removes you from the course.

Use "hide" if you want to clean up your course list but might need to go back to the course later. Use "unenroll" if you are done with the course and do not plan to return. If you hide a course by mistake, you can unhide it by searching for it or asking your instructor to make it visible again.

What to do before you unenroll

Before you leave a course, read or save anything you might need later — assignment instructions, lecture notes, rubrics, or feedback from your instructor. Once you unenroll, you may lose access to course materials depending on your school's settings.

If you are leaving because of a problem with the course or instructor, consider talking to your academic advisor or the course instructor first. They may be able to help you resolve the issue or move you to a different section. If you are leaving because you are dropping the course from your schedule, check your school's important date for course drops — unenrolling in Canvas does not always count as an official drop for financial aid or transcript purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does unenrolling from Canvas delete my grades?

No. Your grades and submissions stay in your account history. Unenrolling only removes the course from your active list. You can still view your grades if you search for the course or check your transcript.

Can I re-enroll in a course after I unenroll?

That depends on your school's rules. Some courses allow you to re-enroll yourself; others require your instructor or registrar to add you back. Contact your instructor or your school's Canvas support team to ask.

What if I unenroll by mistake?

Contact your instructor or Canvas administrator right away. They can re-enroll you, and your work will still be there. The sooner you ask, the faster they can fix it.

Is unenrolling the same as dropping a course?

Not always. Unenrolling in Canvas removes you from the course in the learning system, but your school may have a separate official drop process for grades and financial aid. Check with your registrar or academic advisor about the important date and process for dropping a course.

Why can't I unenroll from a course I teach?

Your school's Canvas administrator controls who can unenroll from courses. Instructors are usually not allowed to remove themselves because the school needs to track who teaches each course. If you need to be removed, ask your administrator or department chair.