To know when solutions for website defects are implemented, please visit this Support article: BSF Online 3.X Updates
Quick Links on My Lesson Page are not working for Android phones. (Tracker 45127)
Quick Links on My Lesson page for Questions and Notes are not working. The workaround: please scroll down to view the Questions and Notes.
Leaders and Members cannot join/start Online Meetings and receive 403 Forbidden Error (Tracker #44313)
Several OGMs, OGLs, OTs reported that they could not join/start Online Discussion Group/ Online Leaders Meeting and they received 403 Forbidden Error message. The workaround: Use an incognito/private window.
Leaders cannot start/host Online Meetings with Chromebook (Tracker #42885)
Several Online Group Leaders reported that they could not start/host an Online Discussion Group with their Chromebooks. The workaround: Chromebook users who wish to have Host functions could Start Meeting as Host on another device (not Chromebook), then use the Chromebook to join the same meeting with the Participant link. The Host can then name the Chromebook member as the Host and leave the meeting. This will essentially make the leader on Chromebook the host without having to log in initially as the Host on Chromebook.
OGL Replacement Issue with Group's name in other language characters (Tracker #42373)
Several Online Trainers reported that they could not complete the OGL replacement with the group's name in other language characters. Please read the OT/AOT - Place a Replacement Online Group Leader article. The workaround: In step 3b, make sure the group's name is in English.
Attendance cannot be edited (Tracker #23646)
Several Online Group Leaders (OGLs) reported that they cannot edit certain Online Group Members' (OGM) attendance records. The workaround: Record the attendance manually.
Online Group Leaders do not receive email notifications of new members (Tracker #23654)
Several Online Group Leaders (OGLs) do not receive email notifications when new members join their groups. Read the FAQ section below, article: "Not receiving BSF Online emails from bsfinternational.org addresses". The workaround: Check the BSF Online website regularly, especially if the group still has the capacity for new members to join.
Online Trainer and Assistant Online Trainer Email Notifications (Tracker # 22080)
OTs and AOTs do not receive emails after an OGL candidate, or a new to the OLM OGL, has already requested to join their OLM, but then changes their mind before going through with the Approval process and selecting a different OLM to join.
The website developers have been notified of these missing notifications; please do your best to work together as Class Staff and be checking your Leaders Management pages and My Training pages to manage your OGLs. We are praying for you!
Online Group Leaders receiving members past Capacity (Tracker # 20005)
Several Online Group Leaders (OGLs) have received members into their Online Groups which causes the group to exceed their designated capacity. If this happens to you, please report the issue to the Support Team through the Need help? widget, and graciously welcome the new member(s) to your group. You may also change your group to 'Private' under the My Group Settings page to ensure your group is closed moving forward.
Second AOTs cannot view their Profile from the My Training page (Tracker # 19478)
It has been noted that when there are more than one AOTs in an OLM, the "second AOT" (the AOT listed within the OGLs) is not able to view their own profile on the My Training page. When they select "View Profile" under their profile picture, the page keeps spinning and spinning. AOTs - to view and edit your profile, please navigate to the 'Edit Profile' page under the Navigation menu. This Support article should help: Edit Profile and Account Settings
Traditional and Simplified Chinese Translations of the Website (Tracker # 18099)
Update: August 22, 2022 - A large number of incorrect translations of the website were fixed for the Traditional and Simplified Chinese written languages. We acknowledge there are still outstanding translation items that need correction across the website. Thank you for your continued patience as the website developers work to address these.
Our website developers are currently working on fixing the incorrect translations of the website for both Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese. Thank you for praying for them as they work!
Find a Group Filters Missing Options and/or Completely Gray (Tracker # 17825)
BSF Online users are finding that when they are logged into their accounts, the Find a Group page filters do not work properly. Some filter dropdowns have no options to select while others are completely gray.
The workaround is to log out of your account when using the Find a Group page (e.g. when looking for a group for a friend, or to switch to a new group).
General FAQs:
Can’t Log in or have other errors?
First Try using:
Incognito Mode in Chrome or Private Mode in Safari or Private Browsing in Firefox or InPrivate in Microsoft Edge. This type of private viewing utilizes a temporary folder for history, downloads, cache, and cookies. This data gets deleted when the window is closed thus allowing you to view the latest website updates (cache-cleared browsing) upon launching a new Incognito window.
Last Resort:
Another way is to clear your Internet browser's cache. This forces the browser to utilize the latest website release.
Clear Cache for a Specific Website
You may also try other steps below:
- Ensure your device and browser are at the latest software release; see the Support article linked here: What browser and OS versions does bsfonline.org support?
- Login at this direct link: LOGIN
- Try a different Internet browser - for example, if you were using Google Chrome, try Microsoft Edge or Safari
- Try a different device
- Try resetting your password; see the Support article linked here: Forgot Password
- Restart your device
Not receiving BSF Online emails from bsfinternational.org addresses
The BSF Online website (https://www.bsfonline.org) uses a bsfinternational.org email address to send out system-generated emails: bsfonline-admin@bsfinternational.org (a no-reply email)
The BSF Online Support Desk also uses a bsfinternational.org email address to respond to users: bsfonline-support@bsfinternational.org
Some users are reporting that they are not receiving the system-generated emails from the BSF Online website and the BSF Online Support Desk. Please “whitelist” bsfinternational.org or add the bsfinternational email addresses to your contacts as “safe-senders” to stop your email account from blocking these emails as spam.
Note for Gmail: Please check other inboxes: "Promotions", "Social", and other categories.
Cannot Join or Start Zoom Meeting
Whether you use a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or phone to join your weekly discussion group from the Join Meeting or Start Meeting (leaders) button on the BSF Online website -- please disable your pop-up blocker on your Internet browser. The following Support articles can help you with this:
If you use a tablet or phone to join your weekly discussion group from the Join Meeting button on the BSF Online website, make sure you have the Zoom application downloaded to your device.
Missing the required fields on the user profile
To have a better experience with the BSF Online website, ensure you complete all the required fields on your profile. Menu > Edit Profile > Required fields: Gender, Age, Country of Residency, City, Time Zone, Country Code of your Mobile Number, Phone number (only number, without dash)