Allow Lockdown Browser to Access Your Webcam in System Preferences

Lockdown Browser needs explicit permission from macOS before it can turn on your webcam. This permission lives in your Mac's System Preferences (or System Settings on newer macOS versions), not inside Lockdown Browser itself. You grant access once, and Lockdown Browser can use the camera for any exam that requires it.

Open System Preferences or System Settings — the name depends on your macOS version. Look for Privacy & Security in the sidebar, then select Camera from the list on the left. You will see a list of apps that have requested camera access. Find Respondus LockdownBrowser in that list and make sure the toggle next to it is turned on (it should be blue or green, not gray).

If Lockdown Browser does not appear in the Camera list yet, it means the app has not asked for permission. Open Lockdown Browser, start an exam that requires your webcam, and the system will prompt you to allow camera access. Click Allow when the dialog appears. After that, the app will show up in your Camera list with permission already granted.

Key Takeaways

  • Lockdown Browser cannot use your webcam until you grant permission in System Preferences or System Settings under Privacy & Security.
  • The permission prompt usually appears the first time you start an exam that requires camera access — click Allow to proceed.
  • Once you grant permission, Lockdown Browser can use the camera for any future exam without asking again.
  • If your webcam still does not work after granting permission, restart Lockdown Browser and try the exam again.
  • Some Mac models with M1 or M2 chips may require you to restart your computer after granting camera permission for the change to take effect.

Check That Your Webcam Is Not Blocked by Another App

Only one app can use your Mac's built-in camera at a time. If another program is using the webcam — Zoom, FaceTime, Photo Booth, or any other camera app — Lockdown Browser cannot access it until that app closes or stops using the camera. Close any other apps that might be running in the background.

You can also check which app is currently using the camera by looking at the camera icon in your menu bar (the top-right corner of your screen). If you see a filled-in camera icon or a dot next to it, another app has the camera open. Click it to see which app is using it, then close that app or quit the camera feature within it.

Restart Lockdown Browser After Granting Permission

Sometimes macOS does not when ready notify an app that permission has been granted. If you granted camera access in System Preferences but Lockdown Browser still says the camera is not available, close Lockdown Browser completely and open it again. This forces the app to check your system settings and recognize the new permission.

To fully close Lockdown Browser, click the Lockdown Browser menu at the top of your screen and select Quit Lockdown Browser, or press Command+Q. Wait a few seconds, then open Lockdown Browser again and start your exam. The camera should now be available.

Verify Your Webcam Works Outside of Lockdown Browser

Before troubleshooting Lockdown Browser, confirm that your Mac's webcam actually works. Open Photo Booth (search for it in Spotlight by pressing Command+Space and typing "Photo Booth") and see if you can see yourself in the preview. If Photo Booth shows your camera feed, your hardware is working.

If Photo Booth does not show a camera feed, your webcam may be disconnected, broken, or blocked by a hardware switch. Some older Mac models have a physical camera cover you can slide open. Check your Mac's manual or search online for your specific model to see if there is a hardware toggle. If your webcam is truly broken, no software fix will help, and you may need to contact your school or testing center about using an external USB camera instead.

Use an External USB Webcam if Your Built-In Camera Does Not Work

If your Mac's built-in camera is broken or missing, you can use an external USB webcam. Plug the camera into a USB port on your Mac, wait a few seconds for the system to recognize it, then grant camera permission to Lockdown Browser the same way you would for a built-in camera. Lockdown Browser will use the external camera automatically.

Common external webcams that work with Mac include Logitech C920, Razer Kiyo, and most basic USB webcams under $50. Avoid very cheap or very old models, as some may not be compatible with newer macOS versions. If you are unsure whether your external camera will work, test it in Photo Booth first.

Troubleshoot If Lockdown Browser Still Cannot See Your Camera

If you have granted permission, restarted Lockdown Browser, and confirmed your webcam works in Photo Booth, but Lockdown Browser still cannot access the camera, try these steps in order. First, restart your Mac entirely — not just closing and reopening Lockdown Browser. Some permission changes require a full system restart to take effect, especially on M1 and M2 Macs.

Second, check that you are running the latest version of Lockdown Browser. Open Lockdown Browser, click the menu at the top, and look for an option to check for updates. If an update is available, install it and restart the app. Third, if you are using a Mac with an M1 or M2 chip, try opening Lockdown Browser using Rosetta (the compatibility layer for older software). Right-click Lockdown Browser in your Applications folder, select Get Info, and check the box that says Open using Rosetta.

If none of these steps work, contact your school's IT support or testing center. They may have specific instructions for your version of Lockdown Browser, or they may be able to provide an alternative testing method that does not require a webcam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Lockdown Browser ask for camera permission every time I start an exam?

This usually means the permission was not saved properly. Go back to System Preferences, find Camera in Privacy & Security, and make sure Lockdown Browser is listed and toggled on. If it is not listed, restart Lockdown Browser and start an exam again to trigger the permission request, then click Allow. If it keeps asking, restart your Mac.

Can I use an external webcam instead of my Mac's built-in camera?

Yes. Plug the USB webcam into your Mac, grant it camera permission in System Preferences the same way you would for a built-in camera, and Lockdown Browser will use it. Make sure the external camera is plugged in before you start your exam.

What if my school says my webcam is not working during the exam?

Test your camera in Photo Booth before the exam starts to confirm it is working. During the exam, if your school says the camera feed is not visible, check that no other app is using the camera at the same time. If the problem persists, contact your school's testing center when ready — they may be able to restart the exam or provide troubleshooting steps specific to their setup.

Do I need to grant permission to Lockdown Browser every time I update macOS?

Usually not, but major macOS updates sometimes reset privacy permissions. If Lockdown Browser stops working after you update your Mac, check System Preferences again and re-grant camera permission if needed.