Why does my browser not ask for camera permission any more?

An earlier Block is remembered for that site. Open the site settings from the icon beside the address, change Camera and Microphone to Allow, and reload.

My camera works in other apps but not in the browser. Why?

Usually the browser has no permission for that site, or a different camera is selected. Check the site permissions and the camera choice, then reload.

Can people hear me if only my camera is broken?

That depends on the microphone permission, which is separate from the camera. Check both are set to Allow.

Why is my video showing but the other person cannot hear me?

The microphone may be blocked, muted, or set to the wrong input, such as a headset that is not connected. Check the site permission and your device sound input.

Camera or mic not working on video chat: step-by-step fixes

Updated 25 September 2026

A black box where the other person should be, or a mic that nobody can hear, is almost always a settings problem rather than a broken device. Work through the steps below in order; most people are sorted by the third one.

18+ only. Free to start, and you sign in with Google.

Start a video chat

Start with the permission prompt

The first time a video chat site wants your camera, the browser asks for permission. If you tapped Block or closed the prompt by accident, the browser remembers that and stays quiet afterwards. Look for a camera icon in the address bar, at the right end on Chrome or the left on Safari.

Click the camera or lock icon next to the web address.
Set Camera and Microphone to Allow.
Reload the page when the browser asks you to.
Try the call again.

Fix it in Chrome (desktop and Android)

Chrome keeps a per-site list of permissions, so a past Block can linger for months.

Tap the lock or tune icon beside the address, then Permissions or Site settings.
Switch Camera and Microphone to Allow.
On a laptop, open the camera drop-down in Site settings and pick the right camera if you have more than one, such as a built-in and a USB webcam.
Reload the tab.

Fix it in Safari (iPhone and Mac)

Safari asks each time by default, and on iPhone there is a second switch in the phone's own settings.

On iPhone, open Settings, then Safari, then Camera and Microphone, and choose Ask or Allow.
Back in Safari, tap the aA icon in the address bar, open Website Settings and allow Camera and Microphone.
On a Mac, open Safari, then Settings, then Websites, then Camera and Microphone, and set the site to Allow.
Reload the page.

Another app may be holding the camera

Most cameras can only be used by one program at a time. If a meeting app, a screen recorder or another browser tab has it open, the video chat gets nothing.

Close those apps fully, not just minimised, and check that you do not have the same site open in a second tab. Then reload.

Still nothing? Try these

If the permissions are right and no other app is using the camera, go through the simple resets.

Unplug an external webcam or headset, wait a few seconds and plug it back in, ideally into a different port.
Refresh the page, or close the browser completely and reopen it.
Make sure the address starts with https. Browsers only allow camera access on secure pages, so a plain http address will be blocked.
On a phone, open the phone Settings, find your browser, and confirm Camera and Microphone are switched on there too.
Restart the device as a last step.

A note on kynq

kynq runs in the browser with no app to install and works best on Chrome (desktop and Android) and Safari (iPhone). It needs both camera and microphone permission before you can match, so if the camera preview is empty, the steps above are where to look. If you are still stuck, write to hi@kynq.in.

Questions

Why does my browser not ask for camera permission any more?: An earlier Block is remembered for that site. Open the site settings from the icon beside the address, change Camera and Microphone to Allow, and reload.
My camera works in other apps but not in the browser. Why?: Usually the browser has no permission for that site, or a different camera is selected. Check the site permissions and the camera choice, then reload.
Can people hear me if only my camera is broken?: That depends on the microphone permission, which is separate from the camera. Check both are set to Allow.
Why is my video showing but the other person cannot hear me?: The microphone may be blocked, muted, or set to the wrong input, such as a headset that is not connected. Check the site permission and your device sound input.