Camera & microphone not working / failing the device check
Before a video session or AI interview, you'll do a quick camera and microphone check. If it fails or freezes, it's nearly always a permissions issue — here's how to fix it, step by step.
Step 1: Allow camera & microphone
When your browser asks, click Allow for both.
If you blocked them earlier (Chrome):
Click the lock icon to the left of the Askable URL in the address bar.
Select Site Settings.
Toggle on both Camera and Microphone.
Refresh the page.
Mobile app: open your phone's Settings → Askable and enable Camera and Microphone.
Step 2: Make sure nothing else is using your camera
Close other apps that might hold the camera — Zoom, Teams, FaceTime, Photo Booth — then refresh. On mobile, turn off Bluetooth unless you're using Bluetooth headphones.
Step 3: Pass the face/camera check
Make sure you're well-lit (light in front of you, not behind).
Centre your face clearly in the frame.
Remove anything obscuring your face.
Step 4: Still not working?
Use Chrome on desktop where possible. Native browsers are best on mobile (Safari on iOS, Chrome on Android).
Turn off VPN/ad-blockers.
Test your camera/mic by recording a quick video — if that fails too, it's a device-level issue.
Try a different device, or switch Wi-Fi ↔ mobile data.
My AI interview freezes right after the device check
Same root cause — allow camera + mic, clear VPN/ad-blockers, refresh, and rejoin from My opportunities. See AI Moderated Interviews and Askable Sessions Troubleshooting.
Will I still get paid if I couldn't get in?
If a device issue genuinely stopped you completing, you won't miss out — contact us so we can sort it. These are sometimes platform issues, not anything you did.
Still failing?
Contact Help & support with your device, operating system, and browser, plus a screenshot of the check screen.