Camera and microphone help

How to allow the camera and microphone for APX, browser by browser, and what to do when a device is busy or missing.

Updated

The session room needs your browser's permission to use the camera and microphone. If the room says something is blocked or missing, find the matching section below. Each fix takes under a minute.

Allow the camera and microphone

If you chose Block by accident, or your browser remembers an old answer, change it in the site settings for apxtutoring.com, then reload the page.

Chrome (Windows, Mac, Linux)

  1. Click the icon to the left of the web address (a lock or two sliders).
  2. Set Camera and Microphone to Allow.
  3. Reload the page and click Join again.

Microsoft Edge

  1. Click the lock icon to the left of the web address.
  2. Choose Permissions for this site, then set Camera and Microphone to Allow.
  3. Reload the page.

Safari on a Mac

  1. In the menu bar choose Safari, then Settings for apxtutoring.com (older versions: Settings, then Websites).
  2. Set Camera and Microphone to Allow.
  3. Reload the page.

Firefox

  1. Click the crossed-out camera or microphone icon in the address bar.
  2. Clear the Blocked temporarily or Blocked entry.
  3. Reload and allow when Firefox asks.

iPhone and iPad (Safari)

  1. Tap aA in the address bar, then Website Settings.
  2. Set Camera and Microphone to Allow (or Ask).
  3. If that doesn't help: open the Settings app, then Safari, then Camera and Microphone, and choose Ask or Allow.

Android (Chrome)

  1. Tap the icon to the left of the web address, then Permissions.
  2. Turn on Camera and Microphone.
  3. If Chrome itself is blocked: open Android Settings, then Apps, Chrome, Permissions.

Chromebook

Use the Chrome steps above. If the setting is greyed out or says it's managed by your organisation, the device is managed by a school: see School devices.

Mac: the browser itself is blocked

Open System Settings, then Privacy & Security, then Camera (and Microphone), and turn on your browser. Quit and reopen the browser.

Windows: the browser itself is blocked

Open Settings, then Privacy & security, then Camera (and Microphone). Turn on access for apps and for desktop apps.

Another app is using the camera

Only one app can use a camera at a time on many computers. Close Zoom, FaceTime, Teams, Meet, Photo Booth or any other tab with a video call, then click the camera button again.

No camera or microphone found

  • Check that headphones or an external camera are plugged in all the way. Then pick them in the room's device list.
  • A laptop lid that is closed with an external screen hides the built-in camera.
  • No camera at all? You can still join with sound, and use the board and chat.

You opened the link inside another app

Apps like Instagram, TikTok, the Google app and some email apps open links in their own small browser, which often can't use the camera. Tap the menu (••• or ⋮) and choose Open in Safari, Open in Chrome or Open in browser. Or copy the link and paste it into your browser.

Your browser can't do video

Use a recent version of Chrome, Edge, Safari or Firefox. Very old browsers and some built-in browsers on TVs or game consoles can't use a camera in a web page.

Use the normal web address

Open the portal from https://apxtutoring.com. Browsers only allow the camera on secure (https) pages.

"Something on our side is blocking the camera"

This one is our fault, not yours. APX has been told automatically. You can still join with chat and the board, or try again in a few minutes.