Mic or camera silent in your browser: a symptom checklist for iPhone, Android, Mac and PC
Updated
momos runs in your browser, so when your mic or camera goes quiet, the fix is almost always a permission setting, not a broken device. Start by finding your symptom below. Each one points to the most likely cause, then the device sections give the exact setting path. Most people are back on a call in a couple of minutes.
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Symptom: no pop-up asking for camera or mic
If the browser never asks, it usually remembered an earlier "Block" or "Don't allow." You have to change it in site settings, because the prompt won't come back on its own. The device sections below show where that setting lives.
Also check you're on the real site over https. Browsers only offer camera and mic access on secure pages.
Symptom: they can see you, but nobody hears you
- Check the mic button in the call controls isn't muted.
- Check any headset or earbuds for a physical mute switch.
- Unpair Bluetooth earbuds and try the built-in mic. Some connect for listening but not for talking.
- On a computer, open sound settings and make sure the input level moves when you speak.
Symptom: a black video tile
- Quit other apps that may be using the camera: Zoom, FaceTime, Teams, Discord, OBS.
- Close other browser tabs with video calls open.
- Look for a sliding privacy shutter or a camera-off key on your laptop.
- Give the browser itself camera access in your system settings, then quit and reopen it.
iPhone and iPad
Safari: in the address bar, hit the "aA" button, open Website Settings, and pick Allow for both Camera and Microphone. You can also check Settings, then Apps, then Safari, under Settings for Websites.
Chrome or another browser on iPhone: open the iOS Settings app, find that browser, and turn on Camera and Microphone. If Screen Time restrictions are on, make sure camera access isn't blocked there.
Android
Tap the icon just left of the web address, go into Permissions, and switch on Camera and Microphone. If there's no toggle, go to Android Settings, then Apps, pick your browser, tap Permissions, and choose "Allow only while using the app."
Many Android phones also have quick-settings tiles that block the camera or mic for every app. Swipe down from the top and make sure they're off.
Mac
In System Settings, go to Privacy & Security. Switch your browser on in the Camera list and again in the Microphone list. Quit and reopen the browser after you change it.
Then allow the site. In Chrome or Edge, click the icon left of the address. In Safari, choose Settings from the Safari menu, open the Websites tab, and pick Allow for Camera and Microphone.
Windows 10 and 11
Open Settings, then Privacy and security. Under Camera, turn on camera access and let desktop apps use it. Do the same under Microphone.
Next, in the browser, click the little padlock or sliders icon by the web address and turn on Camera and Microphone. If you have a webcam and a laptop camera, or a headset and a built-in mic, pick the one you want in the site settings.
Symptom, likely cause and where to look
| Symptom | Likely cause | Where to look |
|---|---|---|
| No permission pop-up | An earlier Block was remembered | Site settings next to the address bar |
| Video works, no audio | Muted mic or wrong input device | Call controls, then system sound settings |
| Black video tile | Another app has the camera, or a shutter | Quit other video apps; check the lens |
| Works in one browser only | Per-browser system permission | System privacy settings for that browser |
Frequently asked questions
How do I reset camera and mic permissions in Chrome?
Click the icon to the left of the address bar, open site settings, and set Camera and Microphone back to Allow, or choose Reset permissions. Reload the page afterward.
My laptop is from work or school. Could that be the problem?
It can be. Managed devices sometimes have camera or mic access locked by an IT policy. If the settings are grayed out, ask your IT team or use a personal device.
Can I use a USB mic or a gaming headset?
momos uses whichever mic your browser is set to. Plug it in before you open the page, then choose it in the browser's site settings or your system sound settings.
Why does the other person hear an echo of themselves?
Your speakers are feeding their voice back into your mic. Wearing earbuds or headphones usually fixes it, or turn your volume down.
Is there a momos app or plugin to install?
No. momos works in Chrome, Safari, Edge and Firefox with nothing to download. If the camera works but the video stutters, see our guide on lag and connection fixes.
Adults only. Never recorded.
momos is for people 18 and older. We don't record or store calls, and report and block are always one tap away. See the safety center.