Camera or microphone not working
Nobody can hear or see you, the mic button says No Mic, or the camera list is empty. Usually it’s a permission. Here’s how to fix it.
First, the quick checks
- Are you muted? In most sessions you join muted. The mute button turns red (amber in the iPad/iPhone app) while you're muted.
- Is it the right device? On a computer, click A/V in the call (or look at the setup screen) and check which Microphone and Camera are picked.
- Is another app using it? Zoom, FaceTime, Teams, a phone call or another browser tab can hold on to a camera or microphone. Close them and try again.
- Black picture? If people see a black square, check for a privacy shutter or cover over the lens.
Allow the camera and microphone
If the mic button says No Mic, the lists say No mic found, or you're told access is blocked, Piano Gather hasn't been given permission. Usually Block or Don't Allow was clicked at some point. Pick what you're using:
Chrome
- Click the icon at the left of the address bar. It may look like a slider or a crossed-out camera.
- Set Camera and Microphone to Allow.
- Refresh the page.
On a Mac, also check the next section.
Edge
- Click the icon at the left of the address bar.
- Set Camera and Microphone to Allow.
- Refresh the page.
Safari
- In the menu bar, choose Safari → Settings for This Website. Or go to Safari → Settings → Websites and choose Camera and then Microphone.
- Set both to Allow for sonatina.com.
- Refresh the page.
Firefox
- Click the crossed-out camera or microphone icon in the address bar.
- Clear the block.
- Refresh the page, and click Allow when Firefox asks.
Firefox asks separately for each camera, so you may be asked again when you switch cameras.
Mac or Windows app
The app shows check system permissions in its device lists, or Microphone access is off with an Open settings button that takes you to the right place.
- Mac: open System Settings → Privacy & Security, choose Camera, and turn on Piano Gather. Do the same under Microphone. Then quit and reopen the app.
- Windows: open Settings → Privacy & security, choose Camera, and make sure camera access and Let desktop apps access your camera are on. Do the same under Microphone. Then restart the app.
iPad or iPhone app
The app shows Camera & mic access blocked with an Open Settings button. Tap it, turn on Camera and Microphone, then come back to Piano Gather.
You can also get there yourself: open the Settings app, scroll down to Piano Gather, and turn on Camera and Microphone.
On a Mac, the browser needs permission too
If you use Piano Gather in a browser on a Mac and the browser is set to Allow but it still doesn't work:
- Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Microphone, and turn on your browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge).
- Do the same under Camera.
- Quit the browser completely and open it again.
A camera you just plugged in
Web browser
Click A/V in the call and then Rescan, or pick it from the Camera list on the setup screen.
Mac or Windows app
A camera plugged in after Piano Gather opened only appears once the app restarts. The setup screen offers Restart Piano Gather. New microphones appear by themselves, or click Rescan devices.
iPad or iPhone app
The app uses the iPad's or iPhone's own cameras. Switch between Front and Back on the setup screen, or under A/V (Call settings on an iPhone).
Messages you might see
| Message | What to do |
|---|---|
| …wouldn't open, so you're on … instead (web) / …isn't connected — using the default for now (app) | The device you used last time isn't available, so another was picked. Plug it back in or choose another. |
| …is being used by another app / …wouldn't start | Close the other app or tab, then choose the device again or click Try again. If it still won't start, unplug it and plug it back in. |
| Microphone unavailable — you may have another Sonatina tab open | Close the other tab, then refresh. |
| Your camera was interrupted | Often a phone call has taken over the camera. It reconnects on its own; if not, click Reconnect. |
| We're not getting any sound from your microphone | Click Reconnect. If it keeps happening, pick a different microphone in A/V. |
| Nothing is coming from this mic (on the setup screen) | Check the microphone is switched on and nothing else is using it, or pick another one. |
| You're on … — the built-in one | You have a better camera plugged in. Click Switch to use it, or Keep this one. |