Check camera permissions before a remote exam

Your webcam may work in a video call but still be blocked when a remote certification exam starts. Camera access can be controlled by the browser, your computer, and the exam software, so a quick check in the browser you use for the exam can prevent a last-minute problem.

Use Test Everything to check the camera along with other hardware. Run the check before exam day, then confirm access in the exact browser or exam app required by the provider.

Check camera access before the exam

1. Open Test Everything on the computer you plan to use. Follow the test steps until you reach the camera check.
2. When the browser asks to use the camera, choose Allow. If no prompt appears, look for the camera permission in the browser's site settings.
3. Follow the on-screen camera check and look for a live picture. If you have more than one camera, such as a built-in webcam and a USB webcam, choose the one you plan to use for the exam.
4. Check the report from Test Everything for the camera result. If the preview is missing or the test reports a problem, use the fixes below before exam day.
5. If the certification provider offers a separate equipment check, open it in the required browser or exam app and grant camera access there too.

Use a quiet moment for the check, with the laptop plugged in and the camera uncovered. Avoid starting the actual exam just to test permissions. If the provider has a practice check or system check, use that instead.

What the result means

You can see a live picture

The browser can access a camera and show its image. That is a good sign, but it does not prove that the exam platform can access the same camera. Exam software may use a different browser, a separate app, or a restricted exam environment. Check the provider's practice page in the required setup as well.

The browser asks for permission again

The site may not have saved its permission, or you may have opened it in another browser or profile. Allow camera access on the official practice or equipment-check page. A permission granted to one website or browser does not automatically apply to every other one.

The preview is black or missing

The camera may be covered, switched off, or in use by another app. The browser may also be set to a different camera. Check the camera shutter and the browser's selected device, then close video meeting apps and try again.

No camera is available

The computer or browser is not offering a camera to the test. For an external webcam, check its cable and try another USB port. If it is built in, check for a keyboard camera switch, privacy switch, or manufacturer camera setting.

The test works but the exam check fails

The exam uses a separate permission or system requirement. Check the camera setting for that app or browser, and follow the provider's instructions about supported browsers and equipment. A successful browser test cannot override an exam app's restrictions.

How to fix camera permission problems

1. Open the camera shutter. Check for a sliding cover, a switch beside the lens, or a camera key on the keyboard. Some laptops turn the camera off with a key combination, so check the computer's labels or manual if you are unsure.
2. Allow the site in your browser. On the exam practice page, select the site information icon beside the address bar and set Camera to Allow. Reload the page and accept the permission prompt if it appears. Menu names vary between browsers.
3. Allow camera access in Windows. In Windows 11, open Settings › Privacy & security › Camera. Turn on Camera access and Let desktop apps access your camera. If the exam uses a Microsoft Store app, also check its camera access in the same settings page.
4. Allow camera access on a Mac. Open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Camera and enable access for the browser or exam app. Quit and reopen that app after changing the setting.
5. Close other camera apps. Quit video meeting, recording, and camera apps, then reload the test. A camera may be unavailable while another program is using it.
6. Reconnect the webcam. For a USB camera, unplug it, wait a few seconds, and connect it directly to another port. Avoid a hub while troubleshooting. For a wireless camera, check that it is powered on and connected.
7. Restart the browser or computer. This can clear a stuck permission request or release a camera left open by another app. Retest before changing more settings.

If the provider explicitly allows a phone for the exam, check its rules before relying on one. On Android, look under Settings › Apps › [browser or exam app] › Permissions › Camera. On iPhone, look under Settings › Privacy & Security › Camera and enable the permitted app. The exact labels can vary by operating system version.

When the camera may be faulty

Test an external webcam on another computer if it remains unavailable after reconnecting it and allowing access. If it is not detected there either, its cable or camera may have failed. If a built-in camera stays missing after checking the privacy controls and restarting, contact the computer maker or a repair shop. For an exam with a deadline, use a supported replacement webcam or another approved computer rather than assuming a browser setting will fix failed hardware.

Why you should test in the exam browser

Camera permission is usually specific to both an app and a website. Allowing a camera for a browser test does not necessarily allow it for the certification site, another browser profile, or a separate lockdown app. The operating system can also block camera access even when the browser's site permission says it is allowed.

Run the check in the required browser and on the same computer, camera, and account you will use for the exam. Make any changes well before your scheduled start time.