A Website Is Blocked — How to Get It Unblocked

A Website Is Blocked — How to Get It Unblocked

When students or teachers try to access a website and get a blocked page, the fix depends on why it is blocked and whether it is a temporary or permanent need. Always check a website days in advance of when you want to use it in class. 

Option 1 — Use the GoGuardian Teacher Override (Fastest)

If you are in an active GoGuardian session and a site is blocked for your class, you can unblock it yourself instantly without contacting IT.

1. When a student hits a block page, you will see an "Unblock for Class" button in your GoGuardian Teacher dashboard.
2. Click it and choose:
   • Unblock Website — allows the entire domain for the session.
   • Unblock Page — allows only that specific URL.
3. The site is immediately accessible for all students in your current session. When the session ends, it is blocked again automatically.

For YouTube videos specifically: use the Actions dropdown → Unblock Videos. See the GoGuardian Teacher guide for full details.

If the Unblock button is grayed out: The site is blocked at a policy level that teacher overrides cannot bypass. You will need to submit a request to IT (see below).

Option 2 — SSL Certificate Error on a Specific Site

If the page shows a message like "Your connection is not private" or "SSL error" rather than a GoGuardian block page, the site may have an expired or invalid security certificate — not a GoGuardian block. This is different and requires IT to investigate.

Submit a workorder including the exact URL and the error message text.

Option 3 — Request a Permanent Unblock

If you need a site unblocked permanently for ongoing classroom use:

1. Submit a workorder at support.nobleps.com.
2. Select Website as the device type.
3. Include:
   • The full URL (e.g. www.gimkit.com)
   • Why you need it unblocked and which students/classes it is for
   • Your building and room number

IT will review and either whitelist the site or explain why it cannot be unblocked. Most requests are processed within 1–2 school days.

Common Block Scenarios

• Games/entertainment sites — blocked by default. Teacher override works for a session; permanent unblock requires justification.
• Teachers Pay Teachers resources — the site is allowed but specific downloaded content (like interactive escape rooms) may be hosted on blocked third-party domains. Submit a workorder with the specific URL.
• Research databases (EBSCO, etc.) — these should be whitelisted. If they are showing a block page, submit a workorder immediately as this is likely a configuration error.
• Site works on a Chromebook but not Windows (or vice versa) — Windows and Chromebook use different filtering systems. Submit a workorder noting which device type is affected.