Audio/video recording issues

Any microphone or camera should work in VoiceThread, but there are some things that might result in audio or video recording difficulties. Since VoiceThread uses HTML5, checking browser and computer audio settings is a great place to start. Please try all of the workflows below.

Check your web browser’s settings

• Make sure that you are using a supported web browser.
• Make sure your web browser is fully up to date.
• Clear your browser’s cache.
• Make sure your browser allows third-party cookies.
• Check the browser’s microphone and webcam settings to make sure the correct input is selected and that VoiceThread has not been blocked. Instructions for doing this are below.

Chrome

1. Go to chrome://settings/content/camera
2. Make sure you see your internal or external camera’s name at the top (directly under Camera).
3. Click on the “Sites can ask to use your camera” radio button.
4. Go back to the previous menu by clicking the left-pointing arrow at the top.
5. Click on “Microphone”.
6. Make sure you see your internal or external microphone’s name at the top (directly under Microphone).

Firefox

1. Click on the menu/the three bars at the top-right corner.
2. Click on “Settings”.
3. Click on “Permissions and data”
4. Click “Camera”.
5. Select “Allow” under “Status” next to voicethread.com
6. Click “Save changes”.
7. Click Microphone.
8. Select “Allow” under “Status” next to voicethread.com

Edge

1. Open Edge’s settings.
2. Click on “Privacy, search, and services”.
3. Click on “Site permissions”.
4. Click on All sites.
5. Click on voicethread.com
6. Click on the button on the right for “Camera” and select Allow.
7. Click on the button on the right for “Microphone” and select Allow.

Safari (Version 14 or later)

Safari’s microphone and camera preferences are dictated by your system settings.

1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen.
2. Select “System Preferences”.
3. Click on the sound option.
4. In the “Input” tab, select your preferred microphone.
5. Close the window when you are finished.

Settings for your computer

Make sure that the correct microphone and/or webcam is selected in your computer’s sound input settings. If you can successfully record audio or video in other applications, you can skip this step.

If you are using Mac OS X Mojave or later, you might need to change your system-level security settings with these steps:

1. Click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of the screen.
2. Select “System Preferences”.
3. Click on “Security and Privacy”.
4. Click on “Microphone” on the left.
5. Make sure the boxes for any web browsers you see in that list are checked.
6. Repeat for the “Camera” option on the left.

Restart your computer

A simple computer restart can help with some issues, especially if it has been a while since you last restarted or if you have lots of other applications running.

Check your network settings

VoiceThread requires certain URLs and ports to be open on your network or allowed in your browser. If one is blocked, this may prevent successful recording. Click here if you are working on a local area network.

Try another internet connection and computer

Trying another location and/or computer will help narrow down where the issue is occurring at the very least.  It will also allow you to complete your VoiceThread work in the short term while you continue troubleshooting your own computer or network.