Camera or Microphone not working
There are a few reasons why your camera and/or mic might not be working. The good news is they are all easily fixed.
You can either use the Odro Connectivity Test to help resolve the issue or follow the steps below.
Access to the camera/microphone is denied.
In order for a browser to access your camera and microphone, you have to give permission. You will be prompted to 'Allow' access when you open Odro (see examples for different browsers in the images below).
Chrome
Edge
Safari
Opera
Firefox
When you click 'Allow', this is only for the website you are viewing only.
It should be understood that by clicking on the allow button, the sound from your microphone and the video from your camera can be used by the website.
If you click 'Deny', the website can't access your camera or microphone and you cannot use them.
If you clicked to deny/block a website from accessing your camera and microphone in error, you need to follow these steps below to unblock the access.
How to unblock your camera & microphone in Chrome
On the right-hand side of the address bar, click the grey camera icon that will have a red cross over it.
Click 'Manage'.
Click into the 'Camera' settings.
Under the 'Block' section click the bin icon next to the URL starting https://meet.odro.co.uk.
Repeat these steps for the 'Microphone' settings.
Return to the web page, refresh, and click to 'Allow' access.
How to unblock your camera & microphone in Edge
On the right-hand side of the address bar, click the grey camera icon with a red cross icon on it.
Click 'Manage'.
Under 'Site Permissions', look for https://meet.odro.co.uk and click the arrow to the side to access the settings.
Look for the Camera and Microphone permissions. Click on the arrow pointing down and change the settings from 'Block' to 'Allow'
Return to the webpage, refresh, and click to 'Allow' access.
How to unblock your camera & microphone in Safari
If you chose 'Don't Allow', all you need to do is refresh the webpage and you will be asked the same question again to which you should select 'Allow'.
If you clicked to 'Never allow for this website' you need to do the following:
Click to open the 'Safari' menu in the title bar top left.
Click 'Preferences'.
Click the 'Websites' tab at the top.
Click into the camera settings on the left.
Click the drop-down that currently has 'Deny' selected next to the URL starting meet.odro.co.uk and select 'Allow'.
Repeat these steps for the microphone settings.
Return to the webpage, refresh, and click to 'Allow' access.
How to unblock your camera & microphone in Firefox
If you pressed 'Don't Allow' all you need to do is refresh the web page and you will be asked the same question again to which you should select 'Allow'.
If you clicked to 'Remember this decision' when you clicked 'Don't Allow' you need to do the following:
On the left-hand side of the address bar click the grey camera icon that will have a cross over it.
Next to 'Use the Microphone' click the X to remove the block.
Do the same for 'Use the Camera'.
Then click to refresh the web page, and click to 'Allow' access.
How to unblock your camera & microphone in Opera
If you pressed 'Deny' access to the microphone and camera you need to do the following:
On the left-hand side of the address bar click the white camera icon.
Click to 'Clear This Setting and Reload'.
Click to 'Allow' access.
Your browser is attempting to use the wrong camera/microphone
If you have more than one microphone/camera connected to your device, your browser might be attempting to use the wrong one.
To check/change the selected microphone/camera, follow the steps below.
How to check/change the selected microphone/camera in Chrome
On the right-hand side of the address bar, click the grey camera icon.
Click 'Manage'.
Click into the camera or microphone settings depending on which you are checking/changing.
All of the camera/microphones that Chrome can detect will be listed in the drop-down menu at the top. Note the device that is listed as your default in your computer settings will appear twice, once with the text Default - in front of it.
Ensure that the right device is selected.
If you change the selection, you will need to return to the webpage and refresh the page.
Check/change the selected microphone/camera in Edge
On the right-hand side of the address bar, click the grey camera icon.
Click 'Manage'.
Under 'All permissions', look for camera and click the arrow to the side to access the settings.
At the top of the screen you will see a box with your camera options. Select the camera you wish to use.
Repeat for your Microphone: under 'All Permissions', look for 'Microphone' and click on the arrow to the side to access the settings.
At the top of the screen you will see a box with your microphone options. Select the microphone you wish to use.
Return to the webpage, and refresh to make the changes operative.
Check/change the selected microphone/camera in Firefox
In Firefox, you are asked to allow access to the camera/microphone on every refresh of the page. Before you click 'Allow', you will see a drop-down to select the camera/microphone to use. If you think Firefox is using the wrong one, just refresh the page and select the right device this time.
Note: The device that is listed as your default in your computer settings will appear twice, once with the text default: in front of it.
Check/change the selected microphone/camera in Opera
In Opera, you need to open the Opera settings/preferences. On a Mac this is done by clicking 'Opera' in the title bar followed by 'Preferences'. On a Windows machine this is done by clicking the Opera O icon top left followed by 'Settings'.
In the search box type camera or mic and the setting will appear.
Select the right device in the drop-down menu.
If you change the selection, you will need to return to the webpage and refresh the page.
Note: The device that is listed as your default in your computer settings will appear twice, once with the text Default - in front of it.
Your speakers/microphone are muted on your device
Microphone muted on Windows
Sometimes your Windows machine may opt to mute your internal and/or external microphone. The following quick video can guide you into resolving this.
How to check your speakers on a Mac
If you are having trouble hearing anything, please check your speakers are not muted and the volume is up. Do this by clicking on your speaker icon which appears in your taskbar at the top right of your screen near your clock.
You may need to hover at the top of your screen for the bar to appear. Then click on 'Sound Preferences' and then on the 'Output' tab. Ensure that the correct set of speakers are selected in the device list, ensure the mute option is not ticked near the bottom, and ensure the volume is loud enough.
How to check your microphone on a Mac
If you think your microphone is still not being picked up after you have checked your browser is using the right microphone, it could be because your microphone is muted.
To check this, right-click on the speaker icon which appears in your taskbar at the top right of your screen near your clock.
You may need to hover at the top of your screen for the bar to appear. Then click on 'Sound Preferences' and then the 'Input' tab. Ensure that the correct microphone is selected in the device list, ensure the mute option is not ticked near the bottom, and that the volume is on.
Camera and/or microphone access on Lenovo Machines
Some Lenovo machines come with camera and privacy mode enabled for browsers. You will know this is enable as when you attempt to use your camera in any any browser you will see the below image:
To turn off camera and/or microphone privacy settings simply follow the below steps:
Search for a programme called 'Lenovo Vantage' our device.
On the main page, navigate to the 'Quick Settings' menu, usually located on the right hand side.
3. Turn off the camera and/or microphone privacy. This means the icons will go from grey to green.
4. The change to the browser should take place automatically and will save your last preference, so you do not need to keep updating Lenovo Vantage.
Your camera/microphone is not connected/installed properly
If your camera/microphone is not built into your computer, check your camera/microphone is connected and the wire is fully inserted into the connector.
Most cameras are equipped with a cord with a USB port.
You might have an analogue microphone that is connected via the microphone mini-jack or a digital microphone that is connected via USB.
Your computer has to detect your camera/microphone in order to use it and also may require additional software to be installed. If additional software is not required, you will see a message about the successful connection of the device when you first plug in your camera. You may need to install additional software from a disc if one was provided with the camera/microphone. Alternatively, you may need to find and download the software from the manufacturer's website. Ensure you find the software for the corresponding make and model of your camera/microphone.
If you are using an analogue microphone that's built into headphones, ensure the jack on your computer is for both audio output and microphone input. If your computer has separate headphone and microphone jacks, you may need to purchase a splitter, or use another pair of headphones/speakers for your audio output.
If you make any changes, you may need to refresh the web page.