Refreshing resets the permission prompt, allowing you to try again if you accidentally blocked access.
How to allow camera and microphone access
Learn how to allow camera and microphone access in your browser. Step-by-step instructions for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge on all platforms.
Browsers block camera and microphone access by default to protect your privacy. Websites must explicitly request permission, and you control which sites can access your devices.
When you allow access, the site can only use your devices while you're on the page. Your browser shows an indicator (usually a red dot or camera icon) whenever a site is actively using your camera or microphone.
WebcamMicTest requests access to:
Camera — to display your video feed and test image quality
Microphone — to visualize audio levels and test recording
100% Private: All testing happens locally in your browser. Nothing is recorded or sent to any server. Your camera and microphone data never leaves your device.
Allow access in your browser
When prompted:
Look for the permission popup near the address bar (top-left)
Click Allow to grant access
If you previously blocked access:
Click the camera/lock icon in the address bar
Find Camera and Microphone settings
Change from Block to Allow
Refresh the page
Via Chrome settings:
Go to chrome://settings/content/camera (or microphone)
Remove this site from the "Blocked" list
Or add it to the "Allowed" list
When prompted:
A dropdown appears below the address bar
Select your device from the dropdown (if multiple available)
Click Allow
If you previously blocked access:
Click the shield or lock icon in the address bar
Click Connection secure → More information
Go to Permissions tab
Find Camera/Microphone and click Clear or change to Allow
Refresh the page
When prompted:
A dialog appears asking for camera/microphone access
Click Allow
If you previously blocked access:
Go to Safari menu → Settings for This Website
Or right-click the address bar and select Settings for This Website
Change Camera and Microphone from Deny to Allow or Ask
Refresh the page
Via Safari Preferences:
Go to Safari → Preferences → Websites
Select Camera or Microphone in the sidebar
Find this website and change the permission
When prompted:
Permission popup appears near the address bar (top-left)
Click Allow
If you previously blocked access:
Click the lock icon in the address bar
Click Permissions for this site
Change Camera/Microphone to Allow
Refresh the page
Operating system permissions
Even if you allow access in your browser, your operating system may still block camera or microphone access. Here's how to check and fix OS-level permissions:
Windows 11/10:
Open Settings (Win + I)
Go to Privacy & security → Camera (or Microphone)
Make sure Camera access is turned On
Make sure Let apps access your camera is turned On
Scroll down and ensure Let desktop apps access your camera is On
Important: The "Let desktop apps access your camera" setting must be enabled for browsers to access your devices.
Open System Settings (Apple menu → System Settings)
Go to Privacy & Security
Click Camera (or Microphone)
Find your browser in the list and toggle it On
If your browser isn't listed, it will appear after you try to use the camera/microphone for the first time.
iOS (iPhone/iPad):
Open Settings
Scroll down and tap your browser (Safari, Chrome, etc.)
Enable Camera and Microphone
Android:
Open Settings → Apps
Find and tap your browser
Tap Permissions
Allow Camera and Microphone
Troubleshooting
Refresh the page — After changing permissions, always refresh
Close other apps — Another app might be using your camera (Zoom, Teams, Skype)
Try incognito/private mode — Extensions might be blocking access
Restart your browser — Some permission changes require a restart
Check physical connections — Make sure external webcams/mics are properly connected
Update your browser — Older versions may have bugs with media permissions
If permissions seem stuck, you can reset all settings for this site:
Chrome/Edge:
Click the lock icon in the address bar
Click Site settings
Click Reset permissions
Refresh the page and try again
Safari:
Go to Safari → Preferences → Websites
Select Camera or Microphone
Select this website and click Remove
Refresh the page to be prompted again
If you're on a managed device (work laptop, school computer), your IT department may have disabled camera or microphone access through group policies. In this case:
Contact your IT administrator to request access
Try using a personal device instead
Check if there's an approved video conferencing tool you should use instead
Error codes explained
If you see an error when trying to access your camera or microphone, find your error code below for specific solutions:
You or your browser blocked access to the camera/microphone.
How to fix:
Look for the camera/microphone icon in your address bar
Click it and change the permission to "Allow"
Refresh the page
No camera or microphone was detected on your device.
How to fix:
Make sure your device is properly connected
Check that it's not disabled in your system settings
Try unplugging and reconnecting external devices
Check Device Manager (Windows) or System Information (Mac) to verify the device is recognized
Your device is being used by another application.
How to fix:
Close other apps that might be using your camera/microphone (Zoom, Teams, Skype, Discord)
Close other browser tabs that might be accessing media devices
Restart your browser
If nothing helps, restart your computer
The connection to your device was unexpectedly interrupted.
How to fix:
Refresh the page and try again
Make sure your device is securely connected
Try a different USB port for external devices
Your device doesn't support the requested settings (resolution, frame rate, etc.).
How to fix:
Try selecting a different resolution or format
Use the default device settings
Try a different device if available
Your browser's security settings are blocking media access.