This article is designed to guide users in the proper use and troubleshooting of the microphone during supervised activities with SMOWL.
It is intended for users of all levels who participate in online activities and need to ensure that their microphone is working properly.
The article covers how to manage microphone permissions and troubleshoot common issues, helping users ensure that the audio system functions correctly during the activity.
How to know if your activity requires a microphone
If your institution requires audio monitoring, SMOWL will ask you to grant microphone permissions before entering the activity, and the SMOWL monitoring block will be active when you access your activity.
The audio window located at the top of the block will allow you to check that everything is working correctly.
Detailed steps to properly set up your microphone
Grant microphone permissions:
When you start your activity with SMOWL, the browser will request access to your microphone. Make sure to allow this access to enable audio capture
If you do not allow microphone access in your browser, you’ll see an alert like the one below:
2. Check that your microphone is working
Online microphone test:
Use a tool like webcamtests.com to check if your microphone is working properly.
Windows microphone settings:
Right-click the speaker icon in the lower-right corner of your taskbar.
Select "Open Sound settings" from the menu that appears.
Under the "Input" section, make sure the correct microphone is selected in the dropdown menu labeled "Choose your input device."
Just below the dropdown, you’ll see an input level bar that indicates if the microphone is capturing sound correctly.
3. Enable microphone permissions in Google Chrome:
Click the padlock or info icon in the address bar to manage permissions.
Enable the microphone and reload the page when prompted by the browser.
Make sure the SMOWL block shows a proper connection, indicating that the microphone is active.
4. Environment conditions:
Quiet environment: Make sure you are in a noise-free environment during the exam.
Suitable device: Use a device with a good-quality microphone and a stable internet connection to avoid technical issues.
Pre-test checks: We recommend testing your microphone beforehand to ensure it is working properly and there is no background noise.
Common microphone issues
If your microphone is not detected, a message will appear inside the monitoring block, as shown in the following image:
Here is a description of the most common issues that may prevent the microphone from working properly:
Application permissions not granted
Issue: The application trying to use the microphone does not have the necessary permissions.
Solution: Go to your system’s privacy settings (on Windows: Settings > Privacy > Microphone) and make sure apps are allowed to access the microphone.
Microphone muted or disabled
Issue: The microphone is muted or disabled in the system settings.
Solution: Check the sound settings to ensure the microphone is not turned off or disabled.
Incorrect physical connection
Issue: The microphone is not properly connected to the computer or device.
Solution: Ensure the microphone is plugged into the correct port and verify that the cable or connector is not damaged.
Outdated or incompatible drivers
Issue: The microphone drivers are outdated or incompatible with the operating system.
Solution: Update the microphone drivers via the Windows Device Manager or from the manufacturer’s website.
Incorrect input device settings
Issue: The system is set to use a different or incorrect input device.
Solution: Go to sound settings and make sure the correct device is selected as the audio input.
Environmental noise or interference
Issue: Excessive background noise is interfering with microphone input.
Solution: Try to reduce ambient noise by closing windows, turning off nearby devices, or using a noise-canceling microphone.
Software conflicts
Issue: Another application is using the microphone, causing conflicts.
Solution: Close other applications that might be using the microphone and make sure only the required app has access.