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Troubleshooting Camera and Microphone Issues on Windows 10

  • Updated

In Session, you will be prompted to select your microphone and camera device so that people can hear and see you, but if you are unable to select your options, it is probably because you need to give browser permissions for Session to access your devices.

First, please be sure that you are using Chrome or Firefox and that it is up to date. If that doesn't work, ensure no other open programs are using your camera and microphone, and give the browser permissions to access your camera and microphone.

 

Allow Access to Your Camera and Microphone in your Browser

Chrome

  • Click on the padlock icon next to the URL
  • Set Camera and Microphone to Allow
Allow_on_Chrome.png

Note: Make sure your camera and microphone are allowed for the beta.session.com website.

You can also check to see if Session has access to your devices by entering the following link to your Chrome browser URL field:

chrome://settings/content/siteDetails?site=session.com

Under Permissions, locate Camera and Microphone. Hopin should be one of the approved sites.

Firefox

  • Click the video icon in the URL field
  • Choose the Camera and Microphone to share
  • Hit Allow for changes to take effect
Allow_mic_and_camera_on_Firefox.png
Note: Select the 'Remember this decision' tick-box, if you want Firefox to remember your choices for next time. Do not select the 'Remember this decision' tick-box, if you have multiple cameras and microphones and want the flexibility to change this accordingly as and when required.

Third-party Extensions

Sometimes, third-party extensions can affect the experience by blocking some of the platform's interface elements. That’s why we also recommend opening the event in Incognito mode (Ctrl+Shift+N) on Chrome or Private tab (Ctrl+Shift+P) on Firefox.

 

Turn on permissions in System settings

Microphone

To use your microphone with apps on Windows 10, you'll need to turn on some permissions in Microphone settings. Then, you'll need to check your app permissions if you want to use your microphone with apps.


Here's how:

  • Select Start > Settings > Privacy > Microphone. In 'Allow access to the microphone on this device' select 'Change' and make sure 'Microphone access for this device' is turned on.
  • Then, allow apps access to your microphone. In 'Microphone settings' go to 'Allow apps to access your microphone' and make sure it's turned on.
  • Once you've allowed microphone access to your apps, you can change the settings for each app. In 'Microphone settings' go to 'Choose which Microsoft apps can access your microphone' and turn on apps you want to use with it. For desktop apps, make sure that 'Allow desktop apps to access your microphone' is turned on and Chrome and Firefox are selected.

Alternatively you can easily turn on the microphone on your device with a click of a button by going to this Microsoft Support page.

Camera

To use your camera with apps on Windows 10, you'll need to turn on some permissions in Camera settings. Then, you'll need to check your app permissions if you want to use your camera with apps. Here's how:

  • Select Start  > Settings  > Privacy > Camera. In 'Allow access to the camera on this device' select 'Change' and make sure 'Camera access for this device' is turned on.
  • Then, allow apps access to your camera. In the camera settings, go to 'Allow apps to access your camera' and make sure it's turned on.
  • Once you've allowed camera access to your apps, you can change the settings for each app. In the Camera settings, go to 'Choose which Microsoft apps can access your camera' and turn on apps you want to use with it. For desktop apps, make sure that 'Allow desktop apps to access your camera' is turned on and Chrome and Firefox are selected.

Alternatively, you can easily turn on the microphone on your device with a click of a button by going to this Microsoft Support page.

You can also find further help in our guide here: I'm having Audio and/or Video issue in Windows 10.

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