Proctorio Setup Guide for Windows

This guide covers installing Chrome, adding the Proctorio extension, allowing camera and microphone access, and passing the system diagnostic test. You only have to do this once per computer.

Step 1: Install and Open Google Chrome

Proctorio only runs in Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge. It will not work in Firefox, or other browsers.

• Proctorio works best with Google Chrome and may not function properly in other browsers. Download Chrome here if it’s not already installed, then launch it to continue.
• Support Article: Adding Google Chrome to Windows

Step 2: Start Your Quiz and Add the Proctorio Extension

Open your course and launch the quiz in Google Chrome. Proctorio will prompt you to install the extension the first time.

• When the prompt appears, click Add Extension.
• If you do not see a prompt, go to getproctorio.com in Chrome and install it manually.

Step 3: Click "Click here to install the Extension"

Once you land on the Proctorio setup page, click Click here to install the Extension. Chrome will redirect you to the Chrome Web Store to finish the installation.

Step 4: Add the Extension to Chrome

On the Chrome Web Store page for Secure Exam Proctor, click Add to Chrome, then confirm with Add extension.

You will know it worked when a shield icon appears in the Chrome toolbar in the upper right corner.

Step 5: Select Take the Quiz

Return to your course and open the quiz. Click Take the Quiz to launch it. Proctorio will start loading and walk you through the remaining setup.

Step 6: Close Any Extra Tabs and Windows

Proctorio needs a clean browser before it can run the diagnostic test.

• When prompted, click Click here to close extra tabs and windows automatically.
• If you do not see that option, close them yourself and click Continue.

Step 7: Run the Proctorio Diagnostic Test

Proctorio will run a short system check before your exam starts. When Chrome asks for permission, click Allow while visiting the site for both your camera and microphone.

Leave the diagnostic running. Step 8 covers the screen sharing prompt it stops on.

Step 8: Share Your Entire Screen

When the screen sharing window appears, select the Entire Screen tab, click your screen to select it, then click Share.

Proctorio requires your entire screen. Choosing a window or a tab will fail this check.

Step 9: Confirm the Diagnostic Test Passed

Everything is set up correctly when all of the diagnostic checks turn green. If any check turns red, see the troubleshooting section below.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Below are the issues students run into most often, along with the steps that resolve them. Select any item to expand it. Try these first, then reach out if the problem persists.

I installed Proctorio, but it still asks me for an access code.

1. Click the puzzle piece icon in the Chrome toolbar and look for Secure Exam Proctor. If you see it, click while on the exam page to load Proctorio.
2. Reinstall the extension. Open the Chrome menu in the top right corner and go to Extensions > Manage Extensions. Find Proctorio Secure Exam Proctor and click Remove, then reinstall it from https://getproctorio.com.
3. Check for a Chrome update. Go to Settings > About Google Chrome in the menu bar and let any update finish. Relaunch Chrome when it prompts you.
4. Reopen your quiz and try again.

My camera or microphone is not detected

• Close every other app that uses the camera or microphone.
• Open Settings > Privacy & security > Camera and turn on Camera access, Let apps access your camera, and Let desktop apps access your camera. Do the same under Microphone.
• In Chrome, click the icon at the left edge of the address bar and set Camera and Microphone to Allow for the site.

The webcam preview is black or frozen

• Slide open the privacy shutter if your webcam has one and make sure nothing is covering the lens.
• Close Chrome completely and reopen it.
• If it is still black, restart your PC. A stuck camera process is the usual cause and a restart clears it.

The screen share check fails, or I cannot select Entire Screen

• Proctorio requires Entire Screen. Make sure you are on the Entire Screen tab, not Window or Chrome Tab.
• Click your screen thumbnail to select it before clicking Share. The Share button stays grayed out until you do.
• If the window never appears, close Chrome completely, reopen it, and relaunch the quiz.

My connection drops or the exam runs slowly

• Move closer to your router.
• Turn off any VPN. VPNs interfere with the exam connection.
• Pause any downloads or streaming that may interfere with your internet connection.

I lost connection or was removed in the middle of my exam

Do not close the tab. Reconnect to the internet and your exam will resume where you left off.

If you do get removed from the exam, you can re-enter it at any time. Reopen the quiz from your course and Proctorio will resume where you stopped.

Still Need Help?

If you worked through the troubleshooting steps and the diagnostic test still will not pass, reach out to support before your exam window closes.

• Submit a support ticket to support@smithchason.edu. Include your course, the name of the quiz, and a screenshot of the failed check so we can help faster.
• Proctorio offers live chat 24 hours a day. Click the shield icon in the Chrome toolbar during a proctored exam and select the chat option.
• Let your instructor know if a technical issue kept you from starting or finishing the exam.