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Camera and Microphone Not Working? Here's How to Fix It

Nicole Orbe

Problem: You've given your browser permission to use your camera and microphone, but it still displays an error message stating "device not found," or your video appears black.

Our Support Team is dedicated to helping you succeed with Stavvy! We specialize in our application and its features. While we can offer basic guidance to help you check your camera settings, network connections, or browser permissions, we are unable to provide comprehensive support for your personal computer hardware, operating system, or network configuration. For issues related to internal device security, firewall settings, or hardware malfunctions, we recommend reaching out to your company's IT department or a qualified local technician.

Check Browser Permissions

For Chrome/Edge:

  1. Look at the address bar at the top of your browser (where the website address is)
  2. Click the lock icon 🔒 to the left of the website address
  3. You'll see a small menu pop up
  4. Look for "Camera" and "Microphone" - make sure both say "Allow"
  5. If they don't say "Allow", click on them and change them to "Allow"
  6. Refresh the page: Press F5 on your keyboard OR click the curved arrow button next to the address bar

For Safari (Mac only):

  1. Click "Safari" in the top menu bar
  2. Click "Settings" (or "Preferences")
  3. Click the "Websites" tab at the top
  4. On the left side, click "Camera"
  5. Find your video call website in the list and make sure it says "Allow"
  6. Do the same thing for "Microphone"

Try These Browser Fixes:

  1. Try private/incognito mode:
    • Chrome/Edge: Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + N (Mac)
    • Safari: Press Cmd + Shift + N
    • Join the meeting in this private window
  2. Try a different browser entirely
    • If you're using Chrome, try downloading Firefox
    • If you're using Safari, try downloading Chrome
    • Join the meeting in the new browser

Check Your Hardware

  1. Is your camera covered? Many laptops have a privacy slider or built-in shutter over the camera
  2. Do you know if the headphones/microphone are plugged in properly? Try unplugging and reconnecting USB devices.
  3. Try different USB ports if using an external camera/microphone

Security Settings

VPN or Proxy Connections

  • Problem: If you are using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or a corporate proxy, its security settings may conflict with or block the necessary connection for the camera or microphone.
  • Action: Temporarily turn off your VPN and then refresh the Stavvy page to see if the issue is resolved.
  • Note: If turning it off solves the issue, you may need to ask your IT department to "whitelist" or allow the connections used by Stavvy. See our guide here: Stavvy Domain and IP Whitelisting

Work Computer or Restricted Device

  • Problem: Devices issued by an employer often have strict security configurations, firewalls, or device management software that can block specific applications like Stavvy, even if you can use other services like Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
    • The ability to use other video platforms does not guarantee that Stavvy is allowed.
  • Action: Try using a personal computer or device to rule out the work security configuration as the cause.

Test Your Devices

Before diving deeper, let's make sure your camera and microphone actually work:

On Windows:

  1. Test your camera:
    • Click the Start button (Windows logo in bottom-left corner)
    • Type the word "Camera"
    • Click on the Camera app when it appears
    • You should see yourself on screen if the camera works
  2. Test your microphone:
    • Click the Start button again
    • Type "Voice Recorder"
    • Click on the Voice Recorder app
    • Click the microphone button to record your voice
    • Play it back to see if you can hear yourself

On Mac:

  1. Test your camera:
    • Press Cmd + Space to open search
    • Type "Photo Booth"
    • Press Enter to open it
    • You should see yourself on screen if the camera works
  2. Test your microphone:
    • Press Cmd + Space again
    • Type "Voice Memos"
    • Press Enter to open it
    • Click the red record button to test your voice

If these don't work, the problem is with your computer, not the Stavvy platform.

Check System Permissions

Windows 10/11:

  1. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera
  2. Make sure "Allow apps to access your camera" is ON
  3. Scroll down and make sure your browser is allowed
  4. Repeat for Microphone settings

Mac:

  1. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security
  2. Click Camera and make sure your browser has a checkmark
  3. Click the Microphone and do the same
  4. You may need to restart your browser after this

Update Your Browser

For Chrome:

  1. Open Chrome
  2. Click the three dots â‹® in the top-right corner
  3. Click "Help" at the bottom of the menu
  4. Click "About Google Chrome"
  5. Chrome will automatically check for updates
  6. If an update is available, click "Relaunch" when it appears
  7. Wait for Chrome to restart

For Firefox:

  1. Open Firefox
  2. Click the three lines ☰ in the top-right corner
  3. Click "Help" at the bottom
  4. Click "About Firefox"
  5. Firefox will automatically check and download updates
  6. Click "Restart to update Firefox" when prompted

For Safari (Mac only):

  1. Click the Apple logo in the top-left corner
  2. Click "System Settings" (or "System Preferences")
  3. Click "General"
  4. Click "Software Update"
  5. Install any available updates
  6. Restart your Mac when prompted

For Edge:

  1. Open Edge
  2. Click the three dots ⋯ in the top-right corner
  3. Click "Help and feedback"
  4. Click "About Microsoft Edge"
  5. Edge will check for updates automatically
  6. Restart Edge if prompted

Restart Everything

  1. Close your browser
    • Click the X button in the top corner of the window
    • Don't just minimize it - actually close it
  2. Restart your web browser
    • On Windows: Press Alt + F4 while in your browser, OR click the X in the top-right corner
    • On Mac: Press Cmd + Q while in your browser, OR go to the browser menu and click "Quit"
    • Wait 5 seconds, then click on your browser icon to open it again
    • Try to join the meeting again
  3. Restart your computer if the above doesn't work
    • On Windows: Click the Start button → Power button → Restart
    • On Mac: Click the Apple logo in the top-left → Restart
    • Wait for the computer to restart fully, then try to rejoin the meeting

Close Competing Apps

One app at a time! Your camera and microphone can usually be used by only one application at a time.

Close these if they're running:

  • Zoom, Teams, Skype, Discord, etc
  • Other browser tabs with video calls
  • Streaming software (OBS, etc.)
  • Camera apps

Fix Device Problems

Check Device Manager (Windows):

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager
  2. Look for Cameras, Audio inputs, and outputs
  3. If you see any devices with a yellow warning triangle:
    • Right-click the device
    • Select "Update driver"
    • Choose "Search automatically"

Force Refresh Your Devices:

  1. In Device Manager, right-click your camera or microphone
  2. Select "Disable device" and confirm
  3. Wait 10 seconds
  4. Right-click again and select "Enable device"

Update Your Computer

  • Windows: Click Start button → Settings (gear icon) → Windows Update → Check for updates
  • Mac: Click Apple logo → System Settings → General → Software Update

Nuclear Option

Use a different device, if available.

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