How to Run the Respondus LockDown Browser Webcam Check

Some online exams use Respondus LockDown Browser with webcam monitoring. Before the exam starts, a webcam check confirms that the browser can see and hear you. Running this check ahead of time, rather than minutes before a deadline, gives you room to fix permission or hardware issues. This guide covers the check itself and the most common reasons it fails.

Before you start

LockDown Browser is a separate application installed on your computer, not a website or a browser extension. Use the installer your school provides, because installations are typically tied to a specific institution. Webcam monitoring for exams is usually provided through Respondus Monitor, which relies on an online service, so you need a working internet connection. How recordings are stored, reviewed and retained is set by Respondus and your institution. Check their privacy information rather than assuming any particular handling.

• A computer running LockDown Browser from your institution's installer
• A built-in or USB webcam and a working microphone
• Your course login details, since the browser usually opens your school's learning system
• Other camera apps closed, such as video call software or camera utilities
• A quiet spot with your face clearly lit from the front

Step-by-step instructions

Start by making sure the operating system allows LockDown Browser to use the camera and microphone. Settings in your regular web browser do not apply here, because LockDown Browser does not use your everyday browser's site permissions.

• On Windows, open Settings, go to Privacy & security, then Camera, and make sure camera access and desktop app access are turned on. Repeat for Microphone.
• On macOS, open System Settings, go to Privacy & Security, then Camera, and make sure LockDown Browser is allowed. Repeat for Microphone. If you change a setting, macOS may ask you to quit and reopen the app.
• Close any other application that might be using the camera.
• Open LockDown Browser and sign in to your school's learning system if prompted.
• Look for the browser's help or information button in the toolbar. In many versions it opens a Help Center that includes a webcam check. Labels and icons can vary by version.
• Run the webcam check. You should see a live preview of yourself. Follow the on-screen prompts, which may also ask you to confirm that audio is working.
• If your instructor has set up a practice quiz that requires a webcam, open it as well. The startup sequence for a monitored exam includes the same kind of webcam check, along with any other steps your instructor has enabled.

If you have more than one camera connected, the check may pick one you did not intend to use. Some versions offer a way to change the selected camera during the check. If you see no such option, disconnect or disable the camera you do not want to use and run the check again. All of these steps are reversible, and you can restore permissions or reconnect devices afterward.

Check the output

A successful check shows a smooth live image of your face and, where audio is tested, confirms that sound is picked up. Make sure your whole face fits inside the frame, the image is not frozen or black, and the light source is in front of you rather than behind you. A bright window behind you can turn your face into a silhouette even when the camera works correctly.

The webcam check confirms that LockDown Browser can access your devices. It is not a quality measurement, so do not expect it to report resolution or frame rate. If you want to see those details, use your operating system's camera app or a separate webcam test before you open LockDown Browser. Passing the check also does not guarantee that a particular exam will accept your setup, because instructors can enable additional requirements.

Common problems and next steps

Black screen or no camera found: another app may already be using the camera. Quit video call tools, camera utilities and other browsers, then restart LockDown Browser. If that does not help, restart the computer before trying again.

Camera works elsewhere but not in LockDown Browser: check the operating-system permissions described above. On macOS, a missing entry or a disabled switch for LockDown Browser in the Camera list is a frequent cause. Security or antivirus software can also block camera access for individual apps.

Wrong camera or a virtual camera shows up: virtual camera software and filters may not be accepted for monitored exams. Disable them and use a physical webcam. For USB cameras, try a different port and avoid unpowered hubs.

Image is too dark or blurry: improve the lighting in front of you, clean the lens and adjust the camera angle so your face is centered. These changes help even when the check technically passes.

Still failing: install the latest LockDown Browser version from your institution's download source, then repeat the check. If the problem continues, contact your school's help desk or your instructor before the exam. The LockDown Browser Help Center may also list support options. Describe your operating system, camera model and what the check shows on screen.