We know that tech hiccups can be frustrating, especially when you're gearing up for an important interview. Don't worry, we've got your back!
This guide will help you navigate any microphone or video access issues you might encounter during your asynchronous interview. Let's get that mic working so you can shine.
General tips (for all systems)
Check your hardware: Ensure your microphone is properly connected and not muted.
Restart your browser: Sometimes, a simple restart can work wonders.
Clear browser cache: This can resolve permission-related issues.
Quick Fixes (Try These First)
Before diving into detailed steps:
Refresh your browser page
Close other applications using your camera or microphone (Zoom, Teams, Skype, etc.)
Restart your browser
Try using a different browser (Chrome, Safari, or Firefox)
Microphone Issues
Microphone not detecting sound
Your microphone is connected but not picking up audio.
Steps to fix:
Check that your microphone is not muted (look for a mute button on your headset or keyboard)
Speak closer to your microphone or speak louder
Check your system sound settings:
Windows: Right-click the speaker icon → Sounds → Recording tab → ensure your microphone is set as default
Mac: System Preferences → Sound → Input tab → select your microphone and adjust input volume
Try a different microphone if available
Microphone is muted
Your browser or system has muted your microphone.
Steps to fix:
Look for a microphone icon in your browser address bar and ensure it's not muted
Check your system volume controls for a microphone mute toggle
If using a headset, check for a physical mute button
Restart your browser and try again
Microphone access blocked
Your browser doesn't have permission to use your microphone.
Steps to fix:
Chrome:
Click the camera/microphone icon in the address bar (left of the URL)
Select "Allow" for microphone
Refresh the page
Safari:
Go to Safari → Settings for This Website (in the menu bar)
Set Microphone to "Allow"
Refresh the page
Firefox:
Click the microphone icon in the address bar
Remove the block and select "Allow"
Refresh the page
Mac users: Check System Preferences → Security & Privacy → Privacy tab → Microphone → ensure your browser is checked
Windows users: Check Settings → Privacy → Microphone → ensure "Allow apps to access your microphone" is on
Camera Issues
Camera not detected
No camera found or camera is not responding.
Steps to fix:
Check that your camera is properly connected (unplug and reconnect if external)
Close all other applications that might be using your camera
Check if your camera works in another application (FaceTime, Photo Booth, Camera app)
Restart your computer if the issue persists
Try a different camera or use your phone's camera
Camera feed is frozen
Your camera is connected but the image is not updating.
Steps to fix:
Close other applications using your camera (Zoom, Teams, Skype, FaceTime, etc.)
Refresh this page to restart the camera connection
Restart your browser
Restart your computer if the issue continues
Camera showing black screen
Your camera is on but not displaying video.
Steps to fix:
Check that your camera lens is not covered or blocked
Ensure you have adequate lighting (camera may show black in very dark rooms)
If using an external camera, try selecting a different camera from your device settings
Update your camera drivers (Windows) or check for system updates (Mac)
Test your camera in another application to rule out hardware issues
Camera access blocked
Your browser doesn't have permission to use your camera.
Steps to fix:
Chrome:
Click the camera icon in the address bar (left of the URL)
Select "Allow" for camera
Refresh the page
Safari:
Go to Safari → Settings for This Website (in the menu bar)
Set Camera to "Allow"
Refresh the page
Firefox:
Click the camera icon in the address bar
Remove the block and select "Allow"
Refresh the page
Mac users: Check System Preferences → Security & Privacy → Privacy tab → Camera → ensure your browser is checked
Windows users: Check Settings → Privacy → Camera → ensure "Allow apps to access your camera" is on
Browser-Specific Issues
Chrome
Make sure you're using the latest version of Chrome
Clear your browser cache: Settings → Privacy and security → Clear browsing data
Disable browser extensions that might interfere with camera/microphone access
Safari
Safari sometimes requires explicit permission for each website
Go to Safari → Preferences → Websites → Camera/Microphone to manage permissions
Try quitting and restarting Safari completely
Firefox
Check that hardware acceleration is enabled: Settings → General → Performance
Ensure you're using the latest version of Firefox
Check about:preferences#privacy for camera and microphone permissions
Still Having Issues?
Try a different device
Your progress is saved, so you can switch to:
A different computer or laptop
Your smartphone or tablet
A different browser on the same device
System requirements
Make sure your device meets these minimum requirements:
Modern browser (Chrome 90+, Safari 14+, Firefox 88+)
Working camera and microphone
Stable internet connection (at least 2 Mbps)
Contact support
If you've tried everything above and still can't complete the device check, contact our support team using in app chat. Please include:
Your device type (computer, phone, tablet)
Your operating system (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android)
Your browser and version
What error message you're seeing
What troubleshooting steps you've already tried
Tip: Most device issues are caused by browser permissions or other applications using your camera/microphone. The quick fixes at the top of this guide solve 80% of problems.
Remember, we're here to help you succeed! If you're still stuck, don't hesitate to reach out to our support team. We're just a click away and always happy to assist.
Good luck with your interview – we're rooting for you!