The fastest way to unenroll from Canvas
To unenroll from a Canvas course, go to your course list, click the three-dot menu next to the course name, and select "Unenroll." Canvas will ask you to confirm, and once you do, you lose access to that course when ready. The whole process takes about 30 seconds.
This works whether you enrolled by mistake, finished the course, or no longer need it. After you unenroll, the course disappears from your dashboard and you cannot see the grades, assignments, or materials anymore—though your instructor's records still show you were enrolled.
If you cannot find the three-dot menu or the unenroll option does not appear, your instructor or institution may have locked unenrollment. In that case, you will need to contact your instructor or your school's Canvas support team to remove you.
Key Takeaways
- Click the three-dot menu next to any course on your dashboard and select "Unenroll" to remove yourself when ready.
- Unenrolling deletes your access to all course materials, grades, and assignments, so make sure you have saved anything you need first.
- Some instructors or institutions prevent students from unenrolling themselves, in which case you must contact your instructor or Canvas support.
- Your instructor will still see your enrollment history even after you unenroll, so the record remains on file.
Where to find the unenroll option on your dashboard
Open Canvas and look at your course list on the left side or in your dashboard grid. Find the course you want to leave. On the right side of the course name or card, you should see three vertical dots (sometimes called a "kebab menu"). Click those dots.
A small menu will pop up with several options. Look for "Unenroll" in that list. If you see it, click it. Canvas will show a confirmation message asking "Are you sure?" Click the confirmation button, and you are done.
If the three-dot menu does not appear next to the course, or if "Unenroll" is not in the menu, your course may have unenrollment locked by your instructor or school. Move to the next section for what to do in that case.
What happens to your work and grades after you unenroll
Once you unenroll, you cannot see the course anymore on your Canvas dashboard. You lose access to all assignments, discussion posts, grades, and course materials. If you need to keep a copy of your work or check your final grade, read or screenshot what you need before you unenroll.
Your instructor still has a record that you were enrolled and can see all the work you submitted while you were in the course. Unenrolling does not erase your history from the instructor's view or from the school's records. It only removes the course from your personal dashboard.
If you unenroll by mistake, contact your instructor right away and ask them to re-enroll you. They can do this from their side, and you will regain access to the course and your work.
When your instructor has locked unenrollment
Some instructors turn off the unenroll option to prevent students from accidentally removing themselves mid-semester. If you click the three-dot menu and do not see "Unenroll," or if the menu does not appear at all, unenrollment is locked.
Contact your instructor directly by email or through Canvas Inbox and explain that you need to unenroll. They can remove you from the course on their end, or they can unlock the unenroll option so you can do it yourself. Most instructors will respond within one business day.
If you cannot reach your instructor, contact your school's Canvas support team or help desk. They can check whether unenrollment is locked and either remove you or unlock the option for you.
Unenrolling from a course you were added to automatically
Some schools automatically enroll all students in certain courses—like a required orientation or a school-wide announcement course. You can still unenroll from these the same way: three-dot menu, then "Unenroll."
If the course re-enrolls you automatically at the start of each term, unenrolling will only remove you until the next enrollment cycle. If you want to stay unenrolled, you may need to contact your school's registrar or Canvas administrator to be excluded from the automatic enrollment list.
Unenrolling on mobile or tablet
The unenroll option works the same way on the Canvas mobile app. Open the app, find the course on your dashboard, and look for the three-dot menu. On smaller screens, this menu may be in a different spot—usually at the top right of the course card or at the end of the course name.
Tap the three dots, then tap "Unenroll." Confirm when Canvas asks, and the course will be removed from your mobile dashboard. The process is identical to the desktop version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I unenroll and then re-enroll in the same course?
Yes, if the course is still open for enrollment. After you unenroll, go back to your course list or your school's course catalog and enroll again. Your previous work and grades will not transfer—you will start fresh as a new enrollment.
Will my instructor know I unenrolled?
Your instructor can see your enrollment history in the course roster, so they will see that you unenrolled. However, Canvas does not send them an automatic notification when you do. If you want them to know why, send them a message.
What if I unenroll by accident?
Contact your instructor right away and ask them to re-enroll you. They can add you back to the course from their instructor panel, and you will regain access to all materials and your previous work.
Does unenrolling affect my GPA or transcript?
Unenrolling from Canvas does not change your official transcript or GPA. Your school's registrar keeps the enrollment record. If you need to officially withdraw from a course for academic reasons, you must do that through your registrar's office, not through Canvas.
Can I hide a course instead of unenrolling?
Yes. Instead of unenrolling, you can click the three-dot menu and select "Hide from Dashboard." The course stays enrolled but disappears from your course list. You can unhide it anytime. This is useful if you want to keep access but do not want to see the course every day.