Resolving Site-Wide Camera and Microphone Restrictions
Resolving Site-Wide Camera and Microphone Restrictions
Certain LMS security policies, custom scripts, or third-party integrations may prevent Proctorio from accessing cameras and microphones, even when test-takers have granted the necessary browser permissions.
Common Errors
Test-takers may encounter errors such as:
- "Access is blocked by your LMS page settings."
- "Permission denied."
- "Camera or microphone access is blocked."
NotAllowedError
Browser developer tools may also report:
Permissions policy violation: camera is not allowed in this document.
These errors may indicate a restrictive Permissions Policy, although some can also result from browser or operating system permissions.
Troubleshooting Steps
1. Check Permissions Policies
Open the LMS in Chrome or Edge and navigate to Developer Tools > Network > Headers. Inspect the document's HTTP response headers for restrictive Permissions-Policy directives.
For example, the following policy blocks both devices:
Permissions-Policy: camera=(), microphone=()
Review any restrictions introduced by the LMS, hosting provider, reverse proxy, or third-party security services.
For additional guidance, refer to Mozilla's Permissions-Policy documentation.
2. Review LMS Customizations
Check for custom scripts, plugins, or integrations that may interfere with browser device access.
| LMS | Where to Check |
|---|---|
| Moodle | Site administration > Appearance > Additional HTML; installed plugins and custom themes |
| Canvas | Admin > Account > Themes > Theme Editor; custom JavaScript and external applications |
| Blackboard | Institution-managed customizations, integrations, and third-party scripts |
| D2L Brightspace | Custom widgets, embedded content, and third-party integrations |
Custom scripts may interfere with device initialization but do not directly modify existing HTTP response headers. Server-level policy restrictions may require assistance from the LMS vendor or hosting provider.
3. Update and Verify
After identifying the restriction:
- Update the applicable security policy or conflicting integration to permit the required device access.
- Reload the LMS and confirm the restriction has been removed.
- Launch a Proctorio-enabled practice assessment and complete the camera and microphone pre-checks.
For reference, the following header permits camera and microphone access from the LMS website's own origin:
Permissions-Policy: camera=(self), microphone=(self)
Embedded cross-origin content may require additional permissions.
Additional Support
If the issue persists, contact Proctorio Support with the LMS name, relevant browser console errors, and any identified Permissions Policy restrictions. Institution administrators may also need to coordinate with their hosting provider or LMS vendor.
