Webcam or Microphone Unavailable: Overview
The Webcam Unavailable pop-up displays if your devices are unavailable due to:
- Your browser is blocking access to your webcam and/or microphone
- Another app is currently using your webcam and/or microphone
- Your operating system is blocking access to your webcam and/or microphone
- An installed security suite is blocking access to your devices
Browser Is Blocking Access To Your Webcam/Mic
You must allow the virtual classroom to access your devices to join the live session with your webcam/mic. To allow access your webcam or microphone:
Via Chrome
- In the address bar on the right, you will see a camera icon with a red x. Click the camera icon to display device permissions.
- Select the circle corresponding to Always Allow.
- Click Done.
- Refresh your window.
Via Firefox
We strongly suggest using the Google Chrome browser.
- In the address bar on the left, you will see camera & microphone icons with a slash through them. Click the camera & mic icons.
- Click the x's corresponding to: Use the Microphone Blocked Temporarily and Use the Camera Blocked Temporarily.
- Click the Webcam and Microphone buttons in the live session to activate your devices.
- Click Allow in the Firefox permission pop-up.
Devices Are Busy
- If you are using another application that is accessing your webcam/mic (or recently accessed your camera and mic) such as Skype or similar website/applications, then please quit those applications and refresh your virtual classroom.
- Sometimes your webcam and microphone drivers get stuck in the background. You may need to restart your computer.
OS Is Blocking Access To Your Webcam/Mic
Your webcam/mic might not be available for your browser to use due to privacy settings within your operating system (Windows, MacOS).
Windows 10
- Click the Start Button (Windows icon) in bottom left of desktop.
- Select Settings.
- Click Privacy.
- Scroll through the list on the left to find Camera and select Camera.
- Under Allow Device To Access Camera click the Change button and make sure it is switched on.
- Make sure that under Allow Apps To Access Your Camera is turned on.
- Scroll through the list on the left to find Microphone and select Microphone.
- Under Allow Device To Access Microphone click the Change button & make sure it's switched on.
- Make sure that under Allow Apps To Access Your Microphone is turned on.
- Quit your browser and relaunch.
MacOS
- Go to System Preferences.
- Select Security & Privacy.
- Choose the Privacy tab.
- Scroll through the list on the left to find Camera and select Camera *MacOS Mojave.
- Check the box corresponding to your browser within the Allow the apps below to access your camera.
- Scroll through the list on the left to find Microphone and select Microphone *MacOS Mojave.
- Check the box corresponding to your browser within the Allow the apps below to access your microphone.
- You will be prompted to quit your browser. Choose Quit Now.