Please use the instructions below if you see “invalid or missing state” error message when accessing Turnitin.
What’s the cause?
The issue seems to have been caused by an update to browser security and privacy settings, which prevents access to “api.turnitinuk.com”. This is affecting some users and can happen on different browsers.
How to resolve the issue?
- Ensure “third party cookies” are allowed (see the instructions below – “How to enable third party cookies”).
- If using Safari (MAC users), please ensure “Prevent Cross site tracking” is disabled.
- If using Firefox, please ensure “Enhance Tracking Protection” is disabled.
- Update your browser to latest available version.
- Please run a browser compatibility check to ensure:
- your browser is supported,
- “pop-up windows” are allowed.
Quick fix
For a temporary quick fix, please check your browser’s address bar. If you see an “Eye” icon with a crossover, please click the icon, and allow third party cookies. The screenshot below shows the icon in Chrome browser at the end of the address bar. In other browsers, the location and icon may vary.
How to enable third-party cookies?
To enable third-party cookies, follow the steps below for the browser you are using.
- For some websites to work correctly that use third-party cookies, you may need to enable cross-site tracking in your browser.
- Should you only want to allow the specific Turnitin site to be allowed and as a permanent fix, add “https://api.turnitinuk.com” to the exceptions list for your browser:
Google Chrome – Enable third-party cookies in Google Chrome
- On Windows – Click on the Chrome menu and select Settings
- (On Mac – Click on Chrome > Preferences)
- Click on Privacy and security
- Click on Cookies and other site data
- Here, ensure that the Block third-party cookies option is unchecked
- Close or refresh your browser.
Enable cross-site tracking in Chrome
Mozilla Firefox – Enable third-party cookies in Mozilla Firefox
- On Windows – Click on the Tools menu and select Options
- (On Mac – Click on Firefox > Preferences)
- Click on Privacy & Security
- It is recommended to select the Standard option for Enhanced Tracking Protection
- If you use Custom, ensure that you do not enable any of the options that may or will cause websites to break under Cookies
- Close or refresh your browser.
Read more about turning off Enhanced Tracking Prevention in Firefox
Safari – Read more about cookies and website data in Safari on Mac
- Click on Safari > Preferences
- Click on Privacy
- Ensure that the box for Cookies and website data is unchecked
- Close or refresh your browser
Read more about privacy preferences in Safari on Mac
Microsoft Edge – Read more about cookies and browsing data in Edge
- Click on the 3 horizontal dots
- Click on Settings
- Click on Cookies and Site permissions
- Click on Manage and delete cookies and site data
- Ensure that the option Block third-party cookies are disabled
- Close or refresh your browser.
Make an exception to Tracking Prevention in Edge
Get support
If you have tried these options and the issue persists, please raise a support ticket along with a screenshot of the “Browser compatibility checker” results.
Email dts@reading.ac.uk or log a ticket on the DTS Self-Service Portal.