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If the Windows app shows “Failed to start camera: Access is denied”, can’t find your microphone, or the record button stays disabled, it’s almost always a Windows privacy setting or another app holding the device.

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Allow camera and microphone access

  1. Open Settings → Privacy & security → Camera.
  2. Turn on Camera access.
  3. Turn on Let desktop apps access your camera.
  4. Repeat the same steps under Privacy & security → Microphone.
  5. Quit and reopen Tella.
Tella won’t appear in the per-app list — that list only shows Microsoft Store apps. Desktop apps like Tella are covered by the “Let desktop apps access your camera/microphone” toggle at the bottom of the page.
Screen recording doesn’t require a separate permission on Windows — only camera and microphone do.

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Record button disabled?

If your camera is on, Tella also requires a microphone to be selected before recording can start. Pick a mic in the recording controls (or turn the camera off for a screen-only recording).

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Camera shows a black screen or “in use”

  • Close other apps that use the camera — Zoom, Teams, OBS, or a browser tab can hold the camera and block Tella.
  • Check antivirus / webcam protection software. Some security suites (e.g. Kaspersky, Norton, Lenovo Vantage privacy mode) block camera access for new apps until you approve them.
  • Check for a physical privacy shutter on your webcam or laptop.
  • Restart your PC if the camera was recently used by another app and won’t release.

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Still stuck?

If permissions are correct and recording still fails, reach out via the in-app support chat and include:
  • The exact error message
  • Your Windows version (Settings → System → About)
  • The camera and microphone you’re using
The Windows app is currently in Beta — error reports genuinely help us improve it. See Record a video using the Windows app for setup basics.