Symptoms
- Others can't hear you or you can't hear them
- Camera shows a black screen
- App shows the wrong microphone or camera selected
- Works in one app but not another
Likely causes
- CommonWrong microphone or camera selected in-appMeeting apps default to a device that may not be the one you're using.
- CommonCamera or microphone permission not granted to the appOperating systems require explicit permission per app for privacy.
- CommonDevice muted or physically coveredA hardware mute switch or physical camera cover blocks input silently.
- PossibleAnother app is using the camera or microphoneOnly one app can usually access a webcam at a time.
- Less commonOutdated app or driverOlder versions can lose compatibility with device drivers.
What to do
- Check for a physical mute button or camera cover on your laptop or headset.
- Open the meeting app's audio/video settings and confirm the correct microphone and camera are selected.
- Check your operating system's privacy settings to confirm the app has camera and microphone permission.
- Close other apps that might be using the camera, like another video call app or a photo booth app.
- Test the microphone and camera in your operating system's own settings to confirm they work outside the meeting app.
- Restart the meeting app and rejoin the call.
- Update the app and your audio/video drivers if the issue continues.
When to call a pro
If the webcam or mic doesn't work in any app at all, it may be a hardware failure worth having checked.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.