Your camera isn't connecting because of a permission block, browser setting, or hardware conflict — not because HireVue itself is broken
HireVue is a video interview platform that needs permission to use your device's camera and microphone. When your camera won't connect, the problem is almost always one of three things: your browser hasn't been given permission to access the camera, your camera is already in use by another program, or your browser is outdated. The fix usually takes less than five minutes and doesn't require contacting HireVue support.
The most common reason is that you denied camera permission the first time HireVue asked. Browsers remember this choice and won't ask again unless you change the setting manually. The second most common reason is that Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, or another video app is already using your camera, which locks it so no other program can access it. The third is that your browser version is too old to work with HireVue's camera system.
Key Takeaways
- Check whether another video app is currently using your camera — close Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, and any other video software before trying HireVue again.
- If HireVue asks for camera permission, you must click Allow or Grant — clicking Deny or Block will prevent the camera from working.
- If you previously denied permission, you need to change the setting in your browser's camera permissions, not in HireVue itself.
- Update your browser to the latest version, because HireVue requires a recent version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge to access your camera.
- If your camera works in other apps but not HireVue, the problem is a browser permission or setting, not your hardware.
Close other programs using your camera
Your operating system only lets one program use your camera at a time. If Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Google Meet, or any other video software is running in the background, your camera is locked and HireVue cannot access it. You may not see these programs on your screen because they can run without a visible window.
On Windows, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, click Task Manager, and look for any program with "camera" or "video" in the name. Look specifically for Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Google Meet, Teams, or Discord. Right-click the program name and click End Task. Then close your browser completely and reopen it to HireVue.
On Mac, click the Apple menu, select Force Quit, and look for the same programs. Click the program name and click Force Quit. Then close your browser and reopen it.
If you are not sure whether a program is using your camera, restart your computer. This closes everything and clears the camera lock. After restart, open only your browser and go to HireVue without opening any other programs.
Grant camera permission in your browser
When you first visit HireVue, your browser will ask "Do you want to allow this site to access your camera?" You must click Allow, Grant, or Yes — the exact wording depends on your browser. If you click Deny, Block, or No, HireVue cannot use your camera and the interview will not work.
If you see this permission prompt, click the button that grants access. Your browser will remember this choice for future visits to HireVue.
If you do not see a permission prompt, it means you already made a choice in the past. Your browser is blocking the camera because you previously denied permission. You need to change this setting manually in your browser's camera permissions.
Change camera permissions if you previously denied access
If you denied camera permission in the past, you must tell your browser to allow it. The steps are different for each browser.
In Chrome: Click the lock icon or camera icon in the address bar (the left side of the web address). Click Site Settings. Find Camera and change it from Block to Allow. Refresh the HireVue page.
In Firefox: Click the lock icon in the address bar. Click the arrow next to Connection find. Click More Information. Click Permissions. Find Camera and change it from Block to Allow. Refresh the page.
In Safari: Click Safari in the top menu, then Preferences. Click Websites. Click Camera in the left sidebar. Find HireVue in the list and change the setting from Deny to Allow. Close Preferences and refresh the page.
In Edge: Click the lock icon in the address bar. Click Manage Permissions. Find Camera and change it from Block to Allow. Refresh the page.
After you change the permission, refresh the HireVue page. Your browser should now ask for camera access again, and you can click Allow.
Update your browser to the latest version
HireVue requires a recent version of your browser to access your camera. If your browser is more than a few versions old, the camera connection may fail even if permissions are correct.
On Windows or Mac, click the menu button (three horizontal lines in Chrome, Firefox, and Edge; or the gear icon in Safari). Look for an option that says "About" or "Check for Updates." Your browser will automatically read and install the latest version. You may need to restart your browser or computer.
After updating, close your browser completely and reopen it. Then go back to HireVue and test your camera.
Test your camera in your browser's settings
Before you try HireVue again, test whether your browser can actually access your camera. This tells you whether the problem is HireVue or your browser's permission settings.
Go to a straightforward camera test site like webcamtests.com or codebeautify.org/webcam-test. These sites ask your browser for camera permission and show you what your camera sees. If your camera works on these test sites, the problem is HireVue's settings or your browser version. If your camera does not work on the test sites, the problem is your browser permissions or your camera hardware.
If the test site works but HireVue does not, go back and repeat the permission steps above. Make sure you have Allow selected, not Block.
Restart your computer and browser if nothing else works
If you have checked permissions, closed other programs, and updated your browser but your camera still will not connect, restart your computer. A restart clears temporary files, resets hardware connections, and closes any hidden programs that might be using your camera.
Shut down your computer completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. After restart, open your browser, go to HireVue, and test your camera. Do not open any other programs before testing.
If your camera still does not work after restart, your camera hardware may have a problem. Try using your camera in another program — FaceTime, Zoom, or a built-in camera app — to see whether the camera works at all. If it does not work in any program, your camera may be physically disconnected or broken.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does HireVue need permission to use my camera?
HireVue is a video interview platform, so it needs to record your face and voice. Your browser asks for permission to protect your privacy — you control whether HireVue can see your camera, and you can change that permission at any time.
Can I use HireVue on my phone instead of my computer?
Yes. HireVue works on phones and tablets through a mobile app or mobile browser. The camera permission process is the same — your phone will ask whether to allow HireVue to access the camera, and you must tap Allow. If you previously denied permission, go to your phone's Settings, find the app or browser, and change the camera permission there.
What if my camera works in Zoom but not HireVue?
This means your camera hardware is fine and the problem is HireVue's browser settings. Go back to the permission steps and make sure your browser is set to Allow for HireVue. Also check that you are using a supported browser — HireVue works best in recent versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge.
Do I need to give HireVue permission every time I interview?
No. Once you click Allow, your browser remembers the choice for future visits to HireVue. You will not see the permission prompt again unless you clear your browser's site data or change the permission manually.
What if I see a message that says my camera is in use?
Another program is using your camera. Close Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, Google Meet, Teams, Discord, or any other video software. Check your Task Manager (Windows) or Force Quit menu (Mac) to make sure nothing is still running in the background. Then try HireVue again.