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Camera test

Test your camera and microphone

Check your camera, microphone, speakers and connection before a video chat. The test runs in this browser tab. Nothing is uploaded or recorded, and you do not need an account.

Press Start test. Your browser will ask to use the camera and microphone.

Camera

Not tested yet

Microphone

Not tested yet

Speakers

Play a short tone to check your speakers or headphones.

Connection

Runs when you press Start test.

The picture and sound stay on this device. The connection check asks a public STUN server for your network's public address, the same first step every video chat takes; no picture or sound is sent with it.

Start video chat

What the results mean

Camera. When the camera works you see yourself, with the resolution and frame rate your camera delivers. Higher numbers give a sharper, smoother picture. A black or frozen picture usually means another app is holding the camera.

Microphone. The bar moves when the microphone picks up sound. Say a few words at your normal volume. If the bar stays empty, pick another microphone from the list or check that it is not muted on the device itself.

Speakers. The test plays a short tone in this tab. If you hear nothing, raise the volume and check which output device your computer or phone is using.

Direct connection possible. Your network answered the STUN check, so in most chats the two browsers can connect to each other directly.

Relay needed or blocked. The browser found no public address. Your network may allow only a connection through a relay server, or it may block video calls altogether. When a direct link is not possible, the stream goes through our relay server, still encrypted, and the relay has no way to read or record it. Chats through the relay can take a little longer to start.

The browser blocked the camera or microphone

Browsers ask once per site. If you chose Block, the test cannot open the camera until you allow it again:

  • Chrome and Edge: click the icon just left of the address, switch both Camera and Microphone to Allow and load the page again.
  • Safari on a Mac: open Safari, Settings, Websites, then Camera and Microphone, and choose Allow for this site.
  • Safari on iPhone or iPad: in the address bar, use the page settings button, open Website Settings and allow Camera and Microphone.
  • Firefox: click the camera icon in the address bar, remove the blocked permission and reload.

On a Mac, also check System Settings, Privacy & Security, Camera and Microphone, and turn your browser on. On Windows, the same switches are in Settings, Privacy & security, Camera and Microphone.

Another app is using the camera

Many cameras work with one app at a time. Close video call apps, recording software and other browser tabs that might be using the camera, then press Start test again. If it still fails, unplug an external camera and plug it back in, or restart the browser.

Echo and headphones

If the other person hears themselves, your speakers are feeding back into your microphone. Headphones stop the echo. With wireless headphones, connect them before you open the chat, because some browsers keep the device they found when the page loaded.

Work, school and public networks

Firewalls on office, school and hotel networks often block the direct connection. If the check says a relay is needed and chats do not connect, try another network, for example mobile data, and run the test again.

Ready to chat

When the camera, microphone and connection look right, start a video chat. New to random video chat? Read your first random video chat, and see the Safety Center for how chats are checked.