Start with the symptom
Most random video chat problems come from one of five things: a blocked permission, another app holding the camera, a network that blocks direct connections, a muted device, or a match that is slow to arrive. Find your symptom below.
| Symptom | Most likely cause | Quick fix |
|---|---|---|
| Browser never asks for the camera | Permission was blocked earlier | Allow it in the site settings, then reload |
| Your own preview is black | Another app is using the camera | Close Zoom, Teams, OBS and other apps, then reload |
| The other person's video is black | Their camera is off, or moderation blacked it out | Wait a moment, or skip |
| No sound | A muted tab, mic or output device | Check mute buttons and the sound output |
| Stuck on connecting | A slow match or a network that blocks direct calls | Try again, or switch networks |
| Video is choppy | Slow connection | Move closer to the router and close heavy tabs |
| Echo | Speakers feeding the microphone | Use headphones |
The browser never asks for the camera
If you tapped Block the first time, browsers remember it and will not ask again.
- Chrome or Edge on desktop: click the lock icon in the address bar, open Site settings, and set Camera and Microphone to Allow. Reload the page.
- Firefox: click the permissions icon in the address bar and clear the blocked camera and microphone entries.
- Safari on Mac: open Safari, then Settings, then Websites, then Camera and Microphone, and set aznabee.com to Allow.
- Safari on iPhone: tap aA in the address bar, choose Website Settings, and set Camera and Microphone to Allow.
- Chrome on Android: tap the lock icon, open Permissions, and allow Camera and Microphone.
Your own camera preview is black
Only one app can use a camera at a time on most devices.
- Close video apps such as Zoom, Teams, Meet, Discord and OBS, including their virtual cameras.
- Check that no other browser tab is using the camera.
- Unplug and replug an external webcam.
- Reload the page, or restart the browser.
- If it still fails, try a different browser to find out whether the problem is the browser or the device.
The other person's video is black
On Aznabee a black screen has three common causes. The other person may have turned their camera off, which is allowed. Their connection may still be settling. Or the on-device moderation model may have flagged a frame of their video, in which case you see a black screen until their feed is clean again. In each case you can wait a few seconds or tap Skip.
No sound
- Check the mute button on the page and the mute state of your browser tab.
- Check that your computer or phone is not set to silent, and that the volume is up.
- If you use Bluetooth headphones, check which device the browser is sending sound to. Bluetooth headsets sometimes switch to a low-quality mode when the microphone starts.
- Ask the other person whether their microphone is muted. You can also type in the call chat.
Stuck on connecting, or no match
- A slow match. If a match takes a while, keep the tab open for a minute, check your connection, and try again at a different time of day.
- Network. Calls connect directly between the two browsers when they can, and through an encrypted relay when they cannot. Strict office, school or hotel networks can block direct connections, and some VPNs and privacy extensions block or reroute WebRTC. Turn them off for a minute, or test on a phone hotspot. How WebRTC works explains why.
- Old tabs. Close duplicate tabs, reload, and press Start again.
Works on Wi-Fi but not on mobile data
Some mobile networks use address-sharing setups that make direct connections harder. A call may still work through a relay, but it can be slower to connect. Try Wi-Fi, or toggle airplane mode and reconnect.
Choppy video or lag
A video call needs roughly 1 Mbps up and down. If it stutters, close other tabs and downloads, move closer to the router, and pause anything streaming on your network. Wi-Fi on the 5 GHz band is usually steadier than 2.4 GHz.
It works on desktop but not from a social app link
Links opened inside Instagram, Facebook or Snapchat load in that app's own browser, which often blocks the camera and microphone. Open the page's menu and choose Open in browser, then press Start again. The phone guide has the steps.
If nothing here helps
Email [email protected] and include your device, your browser and its version, what you see, and what happened just before. That is usually enough to work out the cause.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my camera black on random video chat?
Usually another app is holding the camera, or the browser permission is blocked. Close other video apps, allow the camera in the site settings, and reload.
Why does random video chat get stuck on connecting?
It can be a slow match, or a network that blocks direct calls. Try again in a few minutes, turn off any VPN, or test on a phone hotspot.
Why can I not hear the other person?
Check your own volume and mute state first, then ask the other person whether their microphone is on.
Does a VPN break random video chat?
It can. Some VPNs and privacy extensions block or reroute WebRTC, the technology behind browser video calls. Turn it off briefly to test.