Before your lesson: camera and microphone checklist

Technical issues during a lesson can be frustrating for you and your teacher. Running through this checklist a few minutes before your lesson starts will help avoid most common problems.

Camera

  • Check that your browser has permission to access your camera. Look for a camera icon in your browser's address bar. If blocked, click it and allow access.
  • Make sure no other application is using your camera at the same time (e.g. another video call app open in the background).
  • Position the camera at roughly eye level so your teacher has a natural view of you.
  • If you want your teacher to see your hands or your instrument, adjust the angle accordingly and test before the lesson.

Microphone

  • Check browser permissions for your microphone in the same way as the camera.
  • Speak or play a few notes and check that the level is registering. Most video platforms show a visual indicator.
  • Reduce background noise: close windows, turn off fans or air conditioning if possible, and let others in the house know you are in a lesson.
  • Avoid sitting with your microphone pointing directly at a speaker, as this can cause feedback.

The preview is black, or the check says the camera won't start

The check screen before each lesson tells you which of these it is. In order of how often they happen:

  • Another program has the camera. Only one program can use a camera at a time. Close Zoom, Teams, Skype, FaceTime, OBS and any other video app, and close the lesson page if you have it open in a second browser. Then press Try again.
  • The browser is blocking it. Click the camera or padlock icon at the left of the address bar and set Camera and Microphone to Allow, then press Try again. In Safari on a Mac it is under Safari → Settings for This Website.
  • The computer is blocking it. On Windows: Settings → Privacy & security → Camera, then turn on camera access and “Let desktop apps access your camera”. On a Mac: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera and Microphone, then tick your browser. On an iPhone or iPad: Settings → your browser (Safari or Chrome) → Camera and Microphone → Allow.
  • The camera itself is off. Many webcams have a sliding privacy shutter, and many laptops have a camera key or switch (often with a crossed-out camera symbol). Check the cable on an external camera, then pick it again from the camera list.

If the camera still won't start, you can join with audio only (the join button offers it) and keep trying from the settings inside the lesson.

If in doubt, test early

Open your lesson link at least 5–10 minutes before the scheduled start time. This gives you time to resolve any issues without cutting into the lesson itself.