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Troubleshooting Camera and Microphone Issues on Windows

  • Updated

As a first step, be sure to read our General Troubleshooting Guide.

 

Configure camera and microphone permissions in browser settings

Chrome

Click the padlock icon next to the URL to open the camera and microphone settings.

 

Firefox

Click the video icon next to the URL to open the camera and microphone settings.

 

Safari

Click the video icon next to the URL to open the camera and microphone settings.

Configure microphone permissions in system settings

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.

 

Configure camera permissions in system settings

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.