Camera or microphone not working in video chat? How to fix it

By the OMG Chat team · Updated 13 November 2026 · 10 min read

Almost every "my camera doesn't work" problem comes down to one of five things: a blocked permission, another app using the camera, the wrong device selected, an in-app browser, or a network that blocks video. Work down this page and you'll usually have it fixed in a couple of minutes.

Quick checks first

Did you tap Allow? The first time a site asks for your camera and microphone, the browser shows a prompt. If you tapped "Block" or dismissed it, the browser remembers that until you change it (see below).
Are you inside Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat or another app? Links opened inside those apps use a built-in browser that usually can't access the camera. Tap the "⋯" or share menu and choose Open in Chrome or Open in Safari.
Is another app using the camera? Close Zoom, Teams, Discord, OBS, FaceTime or a second browser tab that has a call open. On Windows in particular, usually only one app can use the camera at a time.
Is there a physical shutter or key? Many laptops have a sliding privacy cover or a keyboard key (often F8, F10 or a key with a camera icon) that disables the camera.
Restart the browser. Quitting it completely (not just closing the tab) clears a surprising number of stuck camera problems.

Chrome and Edge (Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook)

Click the icon to the left of the web address (a "tune" icon or a padlock).
Switch Camera and Microphone to on, or open Site settings and set both to Allow.
Reload the page.

If the right camera still doesn't show, check the defaults: in Chrome go to Settings → Privacy and security → Site settings → Camera (and Microphone) and choose the device you want from the drop-down at the top. Edge has the same options under Settings → Cookies and site permissions.

Firefox

Click the camera or permissions icon in the address bar.
If you see "Blocked temporarily" or "Blocked", click the ✕ next to it to clear the decision.
Reload the page and choose Allow when Firefox asks again. Tick "Remember this decision" if you don't want to be asked every time.

You can review every site's permission in Settings → Privacy & Security → Permissions → Camera / Microphone → Settings.

Safari on Mac

With the page open, choose Safari → Settings for This Website (or "Settings for omgvchat.com") in the menu bar.
Set Camera and Microphone to Allow.
Reload the page.

iPhone and iPad (Safari)

Tap the aA or page-settings icon in the address bar, then Website Settings.
Set Camera and Microphone to Allow (or "Ask").
If that doesn't help, open the iPhone Settings app → Safari (on newer versions: Settings → Apps → Safari) and check that Camera and Microphone aren't set to Deny.

Using Chrome on an iPhone? Open Settings → Chrome and turn on Camera and Microphone there. Also check that Screen Time restrictions aren't blocking the camera.

Android (Chrome)

Tap the icon to the left of the address, then Permissions, and turn on Camera and Microphone.
If they're greyed out, Chrome itself may not have permission: open Android Settings → Apps → Chrome → Permissions and allow Camera and Microphone.
Some phones have quick-settings toggles that block the camera or microphone for every app. Swipe down from the top of the screen and make sure "Camera access" and "Mic access" are on.

If you use the OMG Chat Android app, the same applies: Settings → Apps → OMG Chat → Permissions.

Windows and macOS privacy settings

Your operating system can block the camera for every browser, even when the site permission is fine.

Windows 10 and 11: Settings → Privacy & security → Camera. Turn on Camera access, Let apps access your camera and Let desktop apps access your camera (browsers count as desktop apps). Repeat under Microphone.
macOS: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera, and turn on your browser. Do the same under Microphone. Quit and reopen the browser afterwards; macOS only applies the change after a restart of the app.

The camera is on but the video is black or frozen

The wrong camera may be selected, such as a virtual camera from OBS, Snap Camera or a phone-as-webcam app. In OMG Chat you can switch cameras with the camera-switch button; on desktop you can pick any connected webcam.
Unplug and replug a USB webcam, ideally into a different port, then reload.
Update your browser. Old versions sometimes have broken video drivers.
Close other heavy tabs. On older phones and laptops, video calls need a fair amount of memory.
If your preview works but the other person's video is black, it's on their side, or their connection is too slow. Wait a few seconds or tap Next.

Sound problems

They can't hear you

Check the microphone permission (above) and that you're not muted in the app.
Choose the right input. On desktop, the browser may be using a microphone you aren't speaking into (for example a webcam mic on a monitor across the room). Change it in the site settings for omgvchat.com, or in your system sound settings.
Bluetooth headsets sometimes switch into a low-quality "hands-free" mode or connect only for audio output. Try turning Bluetooth off to test with the built-in mic.

You can't hear them

Turn up the volume and check the tab isn't muted (right-click the tab in Chrome or Firefox).
On iPhone, the ring/silent switch or Action button doesn't mute calls, but a connected Bluetooth device might be taking the sound.

Echo or feedback

Echo happens when your speakers play the other person's voice into your microphone. Headphones or earbuds fix it almost completely. Lowering your speaker volume also helps.

Stuck on "connecting", or calls drop straight away

Video chat connects your device directly to the other person's whenever it can, and uses an encrypted relay when it can't. Some networks make that harder:

School, university, office and public Wi-Fi often block the kind of traffic video calls use. Try your mobile data, or a home network.
VPNs can help or hurt. If calls fail with a VPN on, try once with it off, or switch to a different server.
Weak signal. Video needs a steady upload as well as download. Move closer to your router, or switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data (or the other way round).
Data saver and battery saver modes can pause the camera or the connection in the background. Keep the app or tab on screen during a call.

Make your video look better

Face a window or lamp; light behind you turns you into a silhouette.
Put the camera at eye level. A stack of books under a laptop makes a huge difference.
Wipe the lens. Phone cameras get covered in fingerprints.
Close downloads and streams on the same network while you chat.

Still not working?

Try a different browser (for example Chrome if you were using Firefox), or the OMG Chat Android app. If nothing works, email memegrinders@gmail.com with your device, operating system, browser and what you see on screen. A screenshot helps a lot.