Troubleshooting Camera & Microphone Access on Windows Computers

On Windows, your browser settings and Windows privacy settings must allow temporary camera and microphone access for Vocal Video.

If you get an error message that your camera and/or microphone can’t be accessed, first check your browser permissions, and then if necessary check your Windows privacy settings.

The collector's 'Hmm, we can't access your camera.' message, telling respondents to allow camera and microphone access and reload the page

Check your browser permissions

Chrome

  1. Click the Site Settings icon (sliders icon) or another permissions icon to the left of the address bar.
  2. Click site settings
  3. Make sure:
    • Camera → Ask or Allow
    • Microphone → Ask or Allow
  4. Refresh the page and try again

Chrome's site info menu opened from the icon left of the address bar on a Vocal Video collector, with 'Site settings' at the bottom

Chrome site settings for vocalvideo.com, with Camera and Microphone permissions set to 'Ask (default)'

If access is still blocked:

  1. Open Chrome Settings in the top right corner ( ... > Settings)

  2. Go to:

    Privacy and security → Site settings

  3. Select:
    • Camera
    • Microphone
  4. Make sure permissions are set to Allow or Ask

Return to your Vocal Video recording page and refresh the page before trying again.

Chrome's three-dot menu open over a Vocal Video collector page, with 'Settings' near the bottom

Chrome Settings sidebar with 'Privacy and security' highlighted

Chrome's Privacy and security page with 'Site settings' circled

Chrome's Site settings page listing Camera and Microphone under Permissions

Microsoft Edge

If you’re using Microsoft Edge, the steps are similar:

  • Click the site permissions icon in the address bar (this may appear as a lock, camera, microphone, or other permissions icon depending on your Edge version).
  • Click Permissions for this site
  • Make sure Camera and Microphone are set to Allow or Ask

Microsoft Edge's site info menu on a Vocal Video collector, showing the 'Permissions for this site' option

Edge Settings on the 'Privacy, search, and services' page, with 'Site permissions' in the list

Edge 'Site permissions / All permissions' page with Camera and Microphone set to 'Ask first'

If camera or microphone access still isn’t working: 

Check Windows privacy settings

  1. Open Windows Settings
  2. Go to: 

Privacy & security

  1. Select Camera
  2. Make sure: 
    • Camera access is turned on
    • Let apps access your camera is turned on 
    • Let desktop apps access your camera is turned on
  3. Go back to: 

Privacy & security

  1. Select Microphone
  2. Make sure: 
    • Microphone access is turned on
    • Let apps access your microphone is turned on 
    • Let desktop apps access your microphone is turned on

Then close and reopen your browser and try the Vocal Video recording link again.


Chrome, Edge, and other web browsers may appear under desktop apps instead of regular apps in Windows privacy settings. If desktop app access is turned off, your browser may not be able to use the camera or microphone even if the Vocal Video website permission is set to Allow.

Additional notes

If the issue persists, try opening the recording link in a different supported browser such as Chrome or Edge.

Camera or microphone access may also be restricted by:

  • antivirus software
  • workplace security software
  • school-managed devices

Still need help?

Contact support@vocalvideo.com and include your device type, browser name, and whether the camera preview appears on screen.

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