Yes, Honorlock requires your webcam to be on during the entire exam
Honorlock is proctoring software that monitors students taking online tests. It uses your webcam to watch you and your testing environment throughout the exam. The camera must stay on and pointed at your face the whole time — you cannot cover it, turn it away, or disable it once the exam starts.
Honorlock is installed as a browser extension or plugin that your school provides. When you start an exam, the software launches and when ready begins recording video and audio. If your webcam is not working or you try to disable it, the exam will not proceed, and your instructor will be notified.
Key Takeaways
- Honorlock requires a working webcam pointed at your face for the entire duration of your exam.
- The software records both video and audio and flags suspicious behavior like looking away, speaking, or detecting multiple faces in the frame.
- You must test your webcam and microphone before the exam begins, and Honorlock will not let you start if either is not functioning.
- The webcam feed is stored and reviewed by your instructor or a human proctor if the software detects rule violations.
- You cannot use a phone camera, external webcam on a different device, or any workaround — the exam will not start without the required hardware.
What Honorlock's webcam actually monitors
Honorlock's camera watches your face and the space around you. The software is designed to detect when you look away from the screen, when someone else enters the frame, when you speak, and when you move your hands in ways that suggest you are using notes or a phone. It also checks that you are alone in the room and that your testing environment matches what you showed at the start of the exam.
The system flags these behaviors automatically and records them. A human proctor may review the recording later if the flags suggest a violation. Your instructor receives a report showing which moments triggered alerts, and they decide whether to investigate further or take action.
Honorlock does not use facial recognition to identify you — that is handled separately by your school's login system. The webcam is purely for monitoring behavior during the test.
How to set up your webcam before the exam
Before your exam window opens, you need to install the Honorlock extension in your browser. Your school will provide a link to do this. Once installed, you log in with your school credentials and navigate to your exam.
When you click "Start Exam," Honorlock will ask permission to access your webcam and microphone. You must grant both permissions. The software then asks you to show your ID to the camera and to pan the camera around your testing space so it can record what the room looks like. This setup takes a few minutes and must be completed before the exam timer begins.
If your webcam does not work during setup, the exam will not start. Test your camera in advance using your computer's settings or a video call app to make sure it is functioning and that the image is clear.
What happens if your webcam fails during the exam
If your webcam disconnects or stops working while you are taking the exam, Honorlock will pause the test and alert you. You will have a short window to reconnect the camera. If you cannot restore the connection, the exam ends and your instructor is notified of the technical issue.
Some schools allow you to restart the exam if the failure was genuinely technical and not intentional. Contact your instructor or your school's testing center when ready if this happens — do not assume the exam is automatically voided. The sooner you report it, the sooner your school can review what happened and decide next steps.
Privacy and data storage
Honorlock stores the video and audio recordings on its servers. Your school can access these recordings, and they are typically kept for a set period — often 90 days to one year, depending on your school's contract with Honorlock. After that period, the recordings are usually deleted.
The recordings are not shared with third parties outside your school unless your school explicitly agrees to it. However, they are part of your academic record and can be reviewed by your instructor, your school's academic integrity office, or other authorized school staff if there is a suspected violation.
If you have concerns about privacy or how your school uses these recordings, check your school's testing policies or contact your registrar's office. Some schools have specific rules about how long recordings are kept or who can view them.
Alternatives if you cannot use Honorlock
If you have a disability, a technical barrier, or a genuine reason you cannot use Honorlock, contact your school's disability services office or testing center. Many schools offer alternative proctoring methods, such as in-person exams at a testing center, live proctoring with a human proctor over video, or other accommodations.
Do not skip the exam or try to work around Honorlock on your own. Your school has processes for handling these situations, and using them protects you far better than attempting a workaround, which could be treated as academic dishonesty.
Common issues and what to do about them
The most common problem is a webcam that is not recognized by Honorlock even though it works in other applications. This usually means the browser does not have permission to access the camera. Check your browser settings and make sure the camera permission is set to "Allow" for the website where your exam is hosted. Restart your browser and try again.
Another frequent issue is poor lighting. Honorlock needs to see your face clearly. If the room is too dark, the camera may not work properly, or the software may flag you for looking away when you are actually just hard to see. Test your setup in the same room and lighting where you will take the exam.
If you are using an external webcam, make sure it is plugged in and recognized by your computer before you start the exam. Honorlock will not let you switch cameras mid-exam, so you need to have the right one connected from the beginning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cover my webcam when I am not looking at the screen?
No. Honorlock requires the webcam to remain uncovered and pointed at your face for the entire exam. Covering it, even briefly, will trigger an alert and may be flagged as a violation. The software is designed to monitor you continuously, not just when you are typing.
What if someone walks into my room during the exam?
Honorlock will detect another person in the frame and flag it. Your instructor will see this alert. Depending on your school's policy, this may or may not result in a violation — some schools allow brief interruptions, while others treat any second person as cheating. The best approach is to take your exam in a private space where interruptions are unlikely, and tell others not to enter while you are testing.
Does Honorlock work on a laptop, tablet, or phone?
Honorlock works on Windows and Mac computers through a browser extension. It does not work on tablets or phones because those devices cannot run the extension. You must use a desktop or laptop computer with a built-in or external webcam. Mobile devices are not supported.
Can I use a phone camera or external camera as a workaround?
No. Honorlock only recognizes webcams that are connected directly to your computer and accessible through your browser. Phone cameras and cameras on other devices will not work. Attempting to use a workaround could be treated as academic dishonesty.
Who actually watches the video of my exam?
Usually, no one watches it in real time. Honorlock's software flags suspicious moments automatically, and a human proctor reviews only those flagged sections. If no flags are raised, your instructor may never watch the video. If flags are raised, a proctor or your instructor will review those specific moments to decide if a violation occurred.