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Why Does This Happen?

External webcams may fail to connect due to:
  • Loose or faulty USB connections
  • Camera permissions not being set
  • Conflicting drivers
  • Background applications using the webcam
  • Outdated or corrupted camera drivers

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How to Fix External Webcam Connectivity Issues

Follow the steps below to troubleshoot and resolve the problem.

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1. Check Physical Connections:

  • USB Port: Make sure your webcam is firmly plugged into a working USB port.
  • Cable Issues: Inspect the cable for damage or looseness.
  • Try a Different Port: Switch to another USB port to rule out a faulty connection.

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2. Browser Permissions:

Make sure your browser is allowed to use the external webcam.
  • Chrome/Edge:
    • Click the lock icon next to the URL.
    • Go to Site settings > Camera and select your external webcam.
  • Firefox:
    • Click the lock icon and choose More Information.
    • Go to the Permissions tab and select your external camera.

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3. Check for Conflicting Applications:

Some applications (like Zoom or Teams) may be using the camera, blocking it from other apps.
  • Close any video conferencing apps that may be running.
  • Open Task Manager (Windows) or Activity Monitor (Mac) to ensure no background apps are occupying the camera.

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4. Set External Webcam as Default:

If your internal webcam is conflicting with your external one, you may need to set the correct device as the default.
  • Windows:
    • Go to Settings > Privacy > Camera.
    • Under Allow apps to access your camera, make sure the correct webcam is selected.
  • Mac:
    • Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Camera.
    • Ensure your browser and the assessment platform have camera access.

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5. Test Your Camera:

  • Use a camera testing site to check if the external webcam works outside of this browser or assessment URL.
  • If the webcam functions correctly elsewhere, the issue may be with browser permissions or settings.

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6. Update Camera Drivers:

  • Windows:
    • Right-click Start and select Device Manager.
    • Expand Cameras or Imaging devices.
    • Right-click your external camera and choose Update driver.
    • Select Search automatically for drivers.
  • Mac:
    • macOS typically updates camera drivers through system updates.
    • Go to Apple Menu > System Preferences > Software Update.

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7. Restart Your Computer:

Restarting can refresh device connections and resolve temporary glitches.