Troubleshooting: Audio and/or Video Access Denied

If you encounter an error message such as "NotAllowedError: Permission denied by system" or "Failed to join meeting with selected video/audio devices," it indicates that your web browser or operating system is preventing the application from accessing your camera or microphone.

Follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve the issue:

1. Verify Device Connections and Selection

• Check Physical Connections: If you are using external devices, ensure your camera and microphone are firmly plugged in. Try unplugging and replugging them, or using a different USB port.
• Confirm Wireless Connections: For Bluetooth devices (like headphones or external microphones), verify they are connected and selected as the input/output device in your system settings.
• Select Correct Devices: Within the meeting or application settings, make sure the correct camera and microphone are explicitly selected, not just the default options.

2. Check Browser Permissions (Crucial Step)

The browser must be granted permission to access your devices for the specific website.

• Review Site Permissions:
  • Chrome: Navigate to chrome://settings/content/camera or chrome://settings/content/microphone to review site-specific permissions.
  • Other Browsers (e.g., Firefox, Edge, Safari): Look for the padlock icon or camera/microphone icon in the address bar when on the website. Click this icon to review and modify permissions for that site.
• Reset and Reload: If you recently denied access, change the permission to "Allow" and then reload the page or rejoin the meeting.

3. Check System Privacy Settings

The operating system can override browser permissions. You must ensure your browser is authorized at the system level.

Windows

1. Go to Settings --> Privacy & security (or Privacy on older versions).
2. Select Camera and Microphone from the list.
3. Ensure "Camera access" and "Microphone access" are turned ON.
4. Under "Let desktop apps access your camera/microphone" (or similar setting), verify that your browser (e.g., Chrome, Edge) is listed and enabled.

macOS

1. Go to System Settings (or System Preferences) --> Privacy & Security (or Security & Privacy).
2. Click on Camera and Microphone.
3. Ensure the checkbox next to your browser is selected to grant it access.

4. Address Application Conflicts

• Disable Competing Apps: Close any other applications (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Discord, other meeting tabs) that might be actively using the camera or microphone. Most operating systems only allow one application to use a device at a time.
• Check Incognito Mode: Try joining the meeting in an incognito or private browser window. This temporarily disables most browser extensions or plugins, which can sometimes interfere with device access.

5. Standard System and Browser Refresh

• Clear Browser Data: Clearing your browser's cache and cookies can often resolve underlying conflicts. After clearing, restart your browser completely.
• Restart Device: As a final step, restart your computer or device. This is the most effective way to refresh all system and application permissions and clear any temporary device locks.

6. If Errors Persist

If you have tried all the steps above and still receive the error, the issue may be specific to the device or port.

• Try using an alternative camera or microphone.
• Try joining the meeting using a different device.