Quick answer
When Google Meet cannot access the camera and microphone, the most common cause is a blocked permission in the browser or the wrong device selected. Open the site permission settings in Chrome or Edge, allow camera and microphone for meet.google.com, then select the correct devices in Meet. If it still does not work, check whether another app is using the camera and whether antivirus is blocking access.
How to recognize the problem
- Meet shows a black screen or a message that there is no camera access
- Microphone is grayed out and cannot be selected
- Browser does not show the permission prompt
- Camera works in another app but not in Meet
- After a browser update, permissions are blocked again
Most common causes
Blocked permission in the browser
Chrome or Edge remembered that you previously denied camera and microphone access for meet.google.com, so they no longer show the prompt.
Wrong device selected in Meet
In Meet settings, a camera or microphone that is not connected is selected, so it looks like access was not granted.
Another app is using the camera
Skype, Zoom or another app may be holding the camera busy, so Meet cannot open it.
Antivirus or security software is blocking access
Some security suites have a camera protection feature that blocks access for all apps except excluded ones.
Browser is not updated or is in compatibility mode
An outdated version of Chrome or Edge may have permission issues, and Internet Explorer mode does not support Meet.
Step-by-step fix
- 1
Check site permission in Chrome
Open
chrome://settings/content/cameraandchrome://settings/content/microphone. In the allowed or blocked sites section, findmeet.google.comand make sure the permission is enabled. If it is blocked, click the entry and select "Allow". - 2
Check permission in Edge
Open
edge://settings/content/cameraandedge://settings/content/microphone. Findmeet.google.comand set the permission to "Allow". If the site is not there, add it by clicking "Add" and enteringhttps://meet.google.com. - 3
Reset permission for Meet
In Chrome, click the site information icon to the left of the address, open the site permission settings and set camera and microphone to "Allow" or "Ask". If needed, click "Reset permissions" for that site, then refresh the page and when the browser asks, click "Allow".
- 4
Select the correct devices in Meet
In Meet, click the three dots >
Settings>AudioandVideo. In the drop-down menus, select the camera and microphone you actually use. If they are not listed, check that they are connected and recognized by the system. - 5
Close other apps that use the camera
Close Skype, Zoom, Teams and any programs that may be holding the camera. On Windows, open
Settings > Privacy & security > Cameraand check which apps have recently used the camera. - 6
Check antivirus camera protection
In your antivirus program, find the "Camera protection" option and temporarily disable it or add the browser to exclusions. Then reload Meet and test, and after testing re-enable the protection.
- 7
Update the browser and check HTTPS
In Chrome, open
chrome://settings/help, and in Edgeedge://settings/help, and install any available updates. Make sure you open Meet viahttps://meet.google.com, not over an HTTP connection. - 8
Test in another browser or profile
Open Meet in another browser (e.g. Firefox) or in a new Chrome profile. If it works there, the problem is with the profile or extensions. Disable extensions one by one and test.
If nothing helps: deeper check
If Meet still cannot access the camera, check whether the camera is disabled in Windows: Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and turn on "Allow apps to access your camera". For the microphone, do the same in Settings > Privacy & security > Microphone. On macOS, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and Microphone and allow access for the browser. If you use a work computer, check whether IT applies policies that block access. Finally, restart the computer, and if you suspect profile corruption, create a new browser profile.
How to prevent it
- Regularly update the browser and operating system.
- Do not permanently deny camera and microphone permissions for Meet.
- Close unnecessary apps before a video call.
- Check whether antivirus is blocking the camera and add exclusions.
When to call a professional
If you have checked all permissions and settings and Meet still cannot see the camera or microphone, contact IT support. They can check group policies, drivers and security software that may be blocking access.
IT infrastructure maintenance · Servers, networks, backup, security and helpdeskFAQ
Why does Meet not show the camera permission prompt?
The browser probably remembered that you previously denied permission. Open the site permission settings in the browser, find meet.google.com and reset or change the permission to "Allow".
Camera works in other programs but not in Meet. What should I do?
Check whether the correct camera is selected in Meet settings. Then check whether antivirus is blocking camera access for the browser and whether the camera is allowed in system privacy settings.
Is the problem with the Google account?
Rarely. Camera and microphone permissions are tied to the browser and site, not the Google account. If you suspect otherwise, try Meet in another browser or in a new profile.