Three places can block a microphone or camera, and all three must say yes: the operating system (privacy settings), the browser or app (site permission or device picker) and the hardware (mute switch, shutter, cable). Work through them in that order.
Zoom works but the exam app does not? That is the usual pattern: Zoom already had permission; the exam app was installed later and never got it, or a system update reset it. The fix is almost always steps 2–4.
- Run the official system test early. Every provider has one (Pearson VUE: “Run system test” on the exam page; ProctorU: “Test My Equipment”; Honorlock/Proctorio: the Chrome extension’s check). Run it on the exact computer, network and account you will use. If it passes today it is not a “predictable problem” if it fails on exam day, which helps if you must reschedule.
- Grant camera and microphone to the exam app itself. macOS: System Settings › Privacy & Security › Camera and Microphone › switch on the exam app (OnVue, ProctorU, Respondus LockDown Browser…). For browser-extension proctoring (Honorlock, Proctorio) switch on Google Chrome. After a macOS update toggle these off and on again — this exact reset is behind many “worked last week” failures. Windows 11: Settings › Privacy & security › Camera and Microphone › Let desktop apps access on.
- Close everything else. Exam apps refuse to start, or lose the camera, while Zoom, Teams, Discord, OBS, Camera, FaceTime or any browser tab with a call is open. Quit them fully (not just the window). On Mac check the menu bar for a green camera dot.
- Turn off VPNs, firewalls’ webcam protection and remote-access tools. Corporate VPNs, Kaspersky/Bitdefender/Norton webcam shields and tools like AnyDesk/TeamViewer commonly block the proctor feed. Work laptops often have policies you cannot override — use a personal computer if possible.
- Screen Time / parental controls. macOS Screen Time and family-managed accounts can disable the camera system-wide. System Settings › Screen Time › Content & Privacy.
- Use a single, built-in display and the built-in camera. External monitors must usually be disconnected; a docking station can also move the webcam to a different USB controller — plug the webcam directly into the laptop.
- Lighting and room. Proctors need to see your face clearly: light from the front, no window behind you, desk cleared. Our webcam test shows the live picture, resolution and frame rate so you can check how you look before check-in.
- If the system test still fails, try a different user account on the same computer (fixes permission corruption), restart, and as a last resort another computer. Contact the exam provider before the appointment — most allow a free reschedule for technical issues reported in advance.
Quick pre-exam checklist
- System test passed within 24 hours ✔
- Camera and mic permissions granted to the exam app/browser ✔
- All other apps quit, VPN off ✔
- Phone ready for ID/room check, charged ✔
- Government ID matching your registration name ✔
Did it work?
Run the webcam test again. If the device now registers here, every app that has permission will see it too.
Related guides
Questions, answered
Pearson VUE OnVue says it can’t access my webcam but Zoom works.
OnVue has no camera permission. macOS: Privacy & Security › Camera › OnVue on (toggle it off/on). Windows: Privacy & security › Camera › Let desktop apps access your camera. Quit Zoom completely and run the system test again.
My work laptop fails the system test.
Company policies commonly block unknown apps from the camera and screen recording. Use a personal computer; IT rarely lifts these for exams.
Can I use an external webcam?
Usually yes, plugged directly into the computer. Check the provider’s rules; some require the built-in camera for room scans.