How to Enable Camera Permissions for Honorlock

Honorlock needs your webcam to proctor an exam. If the camera is blocked by the browser, the operating system or another app, the pre-exam checks can't continue. This guide shows where camera access is controlled, how to grant it, and how to confirm it works before you start.

Before you start

Honorlock is an online proctoring service, not a local program. It runs through your course and a browser extension, so video is handled by the service. Your institution's exam instructions say which browser, extension and devices are supported. Read them first, because requirements can change and may differ between schools.

• Use the browser your institution specifies. This is usually Google Chrome with the Honorlock extension installed and enabled.
• Connect your webcam and microphone before you open the exam, so the browser can detect them.
• Close apps that may be using the camera, such as video call software, camera utilities or virtual camera tools.
• If you are on a managed school or work computer, find out whether an administrator controls camera access. Some settings may be locked.
• For questions about how recordings are stored or reviewed, check your institution's or Honorlock's privacy information rather than assuming.

Step-by-step instructions

Camera access has two layers: the operating system must let the browser use the camera, and the browser must let the exam page use it. Check both. Every change below can be reversed later in the same place.

1. Allow the browser in your operating system

• Windows 11: open Settings, go to Privacy & security, then Camera. Turn on Camera access, Let apps access your camera, and Let desktop apps access your camera.
• Windows 10: open Settings, go to Privacy, then Camera. Turn on camera access for the device and for desktop apps.
• macOS Ventura or later: open System Settings, go to Privacy & Security, then Camera, and turn on Google Chrome.
• Older macOS versions: open System Preferences, go to Security & Privacy, select the Privacy tab, choose Camera, and check Google Chrome.
• On macOS, quit and reopen Chrome after changing this setting so it takes effect.

2. Allow the camera in Chrome

• Open the exam or Honorlock check page. If Chrome asks for camera access, select Allow.
• If you blocked it earlier, click the site controls icon at the left of the address bar. Set Camera to Allow, then reload the page.
• To review all sites, open Chrome Settings, go to Privacy and security, then Site settings, then Camera. Remove the exam-related sites from the blocked list.
• On the same Camera settings page, use the drop-down menu to choose the correct camera if more than one is connected.
• Make sure the Honorlock extension is enabled in Chrome's extensions list, and allow any permissions it asks for during setup.

3. Restart the check

Reload the exam page, or close and relaunch Chrome, then run Honorlock's pre-exam steps again. A permission change usually takes effect only after a reload. Allow the microphone too if it is requested, since proctored exams often need both.

Check the output

When access works, Honorlock's setup shows a live preview of you instead of a black frame or an error. In Chrome, the camera icon in the address bar shows whether the page is using the camera or was blocked. You can also run an online webcam test in the same browser before exam day. A working preview there means the operating system and browser permissions are both correct.

• Check that the preview comes from the selected camera you intend to use, not a built-in camera or a virtual camera.
• Face a light source and avoid a bright window behind you, so your face and ID are clearly visible.
• Keep your face fully in frame, at a comfortable distance from the lens.
• Low resolution or a choppy frame rate is usually caused by weak lighting, a slow connection or other apps using the system. It is not caused by permissions. Close unneeded programs and browser tabs.

Common problems and next steps

• Camera is allowed but the preview is black: another app is probably holding the camera. Close video call and camera apps, then reload.
• Chrome never shows a permission prompt: the site was likely blocked earlier. Reset the camera permission from the address bar's site controls or from Site settings.
• No camera appears in the drop-down: check the operating system permission, reconnect the USB camera, or try a different port. Then restart Chrome.
• The wrong camera is used: choose the right device in Chrome's camera settings, and turn off virtual camera software if it is the default.
• Settings are greyed out or keep resetting: an administrator policy or security software may control the camera. Contact your IT department.
• The extension check fails: confirm the Honorlock extension is installed and enabled, and that you are using the supported browser.

If the camera works in a webcam test but Honorlock still reports a problem, contact Honorlock support or your instructor before the exam window closes. Tell them which browser, operating system and camera you are using, and describe the exact error message you see.