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Yes—other candidates have reported recent OnVUE problems, including long queues, camera and video failures, interrupted exams, and relaunch problems. But those reports do not prove that Pearson VUE is experiencing a service-wide outage, and they do not establish the cause of your particular failure. Some candidates reporting problems around the same time also said their exams worked normally.
The safest approach is to identify which official OnVUE system check failed, apply the matching fix, and contact your exam program immediately if the problem occurs during check-in or the exam itself.
What the reports do—and do not—show
Recent public discussions contain self-reported accounts of candidates experiencing technical trouble with Pearson VUE’s OnVUE online-proctoring platform. The reported symptoms include:
- Waiting in an unusually long check-in or proctor queue
- Camera, microphone, or video-streaming failures
- Freezing, buffering, or disconnections during an exam
- Problems launching or relaunching OnVUE
- Interrupted sessions after check-in
These reports are useful evidence that similar problems have happened to other people, but they are not verified incident records. They may involve different exam sponsors, computers, networks, operating systems, or local security settings. A discussion thread also cannot establish whether Pearson, an exam sponsor, a candidate’s internet provider, or the candidate’s device caused the problem.
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A published Pearson VUE 2026 release calendar available in the research snapshot listed a registration block outage on August 6, a VTS release on August 15, and an OnVUE business-as-usual release on August 20. It did not list a named OnVUE appointment-unavailability event for August 10. That calendar check is not proof that every OnVUE component was healthy, and the absence of a listed incident does not rule out a live or regional problem.
In other words: you are not alone, but do not assume an outage until Pearson or your exam sponsor confirms one.
First, identify which part of OnVUE is failing
OnVUE problems are easier to troubleshoot when you separate the process into stages:
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- Launch and check-in: OnVUE opens, identity and environment checks run, and you enter the proctor queue.
- Exam delivery: the exam begins, video and audio remain available, and the connection stays active.
- Recovery: the application must be relaunched or support must intervene after a freeze or disconnection.
Run the official OnVUE System Test on the exact computer and network you plan to use. A successful test does not guarantee a perfect exam session, but a failed test is a strong reason to fix the issue or use a test center instead.
Current baseline requirements
Pearson’s current candidate requirements described in the research support the following setup:
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- Windows: Windows 10 or Windows 11, 64-bit, excluding S Mode
- macOS: macOS 14 or later, excluding beta releases
- Display: one display only
- Audio and video: a working webcam, microphone, and speaker
- Internet: at least 6 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload
- Network restrictions: no VPN or proxy
Corporate networks, managed work computers, and heavily restricted security environments are riskier because firewalls, endpoint controls, or administrator policies may block the connections OnVUE needs. A computer that works for ordinary browsing or video calls can still fail an exam delivery check.
Fix bandwidth, buffering, video, or disconnect problems
If the system test reports a bandwidth, streaming, or connection problem, work through these steps in order:
- Use a home network if possible. Avoid a corporate, school, hotel, or other managed network. A mobile hotspot may also be unsuitable because its speed and stability can vary.
- Disconnect VPN and proxy services. Do not merely minimize them; turn them off before rerunning the test.
- Stop other traffic. Pause streaming, cloud backups, game downloads, large file transfers, and video calls. Ask other people on the network not to stream or download during the exam.
- Prefer Ethernet. Pearson recommends a wired connection because it is usually more reliable than Wi-Fi for exam delivery.
- Restart the computer and network equipment. Then run the official test again on the same setup.
If your computer and router both have Ethernet ports, a Cat 6 Ethernet cable can let you test through the wired connection Pearson recommends. This is a stability measure—not a guaranteed solution—and it will not fix a camera-permission failure, an account problem, a blocked application, or a Pearson-side incident.
Do not buy a cable or new computer simply because someone online reported that one solved their problem. Match the remedy to the failed system-test stage.
Fix camera, microphone, and speaker failures
For a failed audio or video check:
- Confirm that the webcam, microphone, and speakers are physically connected and powered.
- Check that the microphone is not muted and that any camera privacy shutter is open.
- Close video-conferencing, recording, browser, messaging, and other applications that might already be using the camera or microphone.
- Review your operating system’s privacy permissions and allow OnVUE to access the required devices.
- Run the failed test again after making the change.
- Restart the computer if the device still does not appear or remains locked by another application.
macOS permissions to check
On a Mac, OnVUE may need permission for Camera, Microphone, Automation, and Input Monitoring. If access was denied during the initial setup, open macOS System Settings and review the relevant privacy and security panels manually. Enable the permission for OnVUE, then rerun the system test. A restart may be necessary before macOS applies the change consistently.
Do not assume headphones will solve an audio problem. Pearson’s current requirements prohibit headphones and headsets unless the test sponsor specifically approves them. A mobile phone used as an exam webcam is also not permitted under the stated requirements.
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Fix secure-browser or connection-test failures
If OnVUE reports a secure-browser, blocked-application, or connection-test failure:
- Turn off VPN and proxy services.
- Use only one display and disconnect additional monitors.
- Close every application identified by the OnVUE test.
- Check whether firewall, antivirus, endpoint-security, or web-filtering software is blocking OnVUE.
- Rerun the test after each meaningful change rather than changing many things at once.
Pearson’s advanced documentation identifies ports 80, 443, and 1935 as needing sustained, unrestricted connections for Pearson exams. Do not change firewall or router rules if you do not understand them. On a managed computer or network, ask an IT professional to assess the restriction instead of attempting random security changes.
Prepare correctly before exam day
Pearson advises candidates to run and pass the system test on the exact computer and network they will use. The system-test guidance recommends doing this within a few days of the appointment, not weeks earlier, because software, permissions, network conditions, and security policies can change.
On the day of the exam:
- Restart the computer before beginning.
- Connect the computer to power.
- Use the same network that passed the test.
- Disconnect VPNs and proxies.
- Close unneeded applications and prevent automatic downloads or updates.
- Keep other people and devices from using the connection for streaming or large downloads.
- Start check-in about 30 minutes before the appointment.
Do not wait until the scheduled start time to discover that the camera permission is blocked or that a corporate network fails the connection test.
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If the computer freezes or the session disconnects during the appointment, contact the proctor immediately and follow the instructions shown in OnVUE. Pearson’s general OnVUE guidance says to close and relaunch OnVUE from the downloads folder, use the in-exam chat, and visit the specific exam program’s customer-service page if the issue continues.
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Do not assume that every proctor can troubleshoot your local device or network, pause the exam, extend the time, approve a retake, or issue a refund. Pearson’s general guidance says in-exam chat cannot troubleshoot the candidate’s device or network and cannot pause or extend an exam. A program-specific FAQ, such as the IBM guidance cited in the research, says a proctor may help attempt a resolution and may provide an Incident Report number. Options vary by exam sponsor.
The safest procedure is:
- Contact the proctor or in-exam chat as soon as the problem occurs.
- Follow the sponsor’s or proctor’s relaunch instructions.
- Do not repeatedly force-close the software unless instructed, because doing so may complicate the session record.
- Ask for an incident or case reference number if one is provided.
- Contact the customer-service channel for your specific exam program immediately afterward if the problem remains unresolved.
Keep evidence of exactly what happened
Write down or preserve:
- The exact error message
- The stage that failed—system test, launch, check-in, queue, or exam delivery
- The date and precise time of each interruption
- Your operating system and whether you used Wi-Fi or Ethernet
- Any permitted screenshots
- The proctor’s instructions
- The incident, case, or report number
Pearson directs candidates to report a test-day issue as soon as it occurs. Its support guidance says a case is filed and that most cases are investigated and resolved within 3–5 business days. That is not a promise of a retake, refund, rescheduling, or a particular decision. Those outcomes depend on the exam sponsor’s rules and the facts recorded in the case.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When a test center is the better choice
If the official system test will not pass on the actual computer and network, do not gamble on OnVUE. Fix the setup first, or investigate whether an authorized test center is available.
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The IBM-specific Pearson FAQ cited in the research explicitly advises candidates not to use OnVUE when the system test does not pass and recommends a test center when they have doubts or reservations. Treat that as program-specific guidance rather than a universal rule for every Pearson exam. Microsoft, AWS, CompTIA, PMI, and other sponsors can have different appointment, rescheduling, support, and delivery policies.
Before switching, verify test-center availability and the rules for your own exam sponsor. A test center may be the more predictable option if you use a managed work computer, cannot obtain a stable private network, repeatedly fail the camera or secure-browser checks, or cannot make the required operating-system and permission changes.
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A practical decision tree
| What failed? | Best next action |
|---|---|
| Bandwidth, video streaming, or connection | Use a private home network, turn off VPN/proxy services, stop other traffic, prefer Ethernet, restart, and rerun the test. |
| Camera, microphone, or speaker | Close applications using the device, remove a camera shutter, check privacy permissions, restart, and rerun the relevant test. |
| Secure browser or blocked application | Close flagged applications, disconnect VPN/proxy services, use one display, and ask IT to review managed security restrictions. |
| OnVUE freezes or disconnects during the appointment | Contact the proctor immediately, follow relaunch instructions, use in-exam chat, and record any incident number. |
| System test still fails before exam day | Do not proceed on that setup. Fix it or check whether your sponsor permits a test-center appointment. |
| Only a queue is slow | Remain available, use the official support or in-exam chat path, and document the time. A long queue alone does not prove a platform-wide outage. |
Bottom line: are OnVUE problems happening to other people?
Yes, recent candidate reports describe real-looking OnVUE difficulties, and the symptoms are not unique to one person. But those reports are not enough to diagnose a Pearson-wide outage. Start with the official system test and match the fix to the failed check: network problems call for a private, stable connection; device failures call for permissions and application checks; secure-browser failures call for removing conflicts; and an in-exam interruption requires immediate contact with the proctor and sponsor-specific support.
If the setup cannot pass the test before the appointment, using an authorized test center may be safer than hoping OnVUE will work under the same conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OnVUE currently experiencing a widespread outage?
There is not enough evidence in the available research to declare a service-wide outage. Recent candidates have reported queues, video failures, disconnections, and relaunch problems, but those reports are self-reported and other candidates reported successful exams. Check Pearson and your specific exam sponsor for an official incident notice.
What internet speed does OnVUE require?
The cited current Pearson requirements specify at least 6 Mbps download and 2 Mbps upload. Pearson also recommends a stable home connection, avoiding VPNs and proxies, stopping other network traffic, and using wired Ethernet when possible.
Can I use headphones or my phone as a webcam for OnVUE?
Pearson’s stated requirements prohibit headphones or headsets unless the exam sponsor explicitly permits them. A mobile phone used as the exam webcam is also not permitted under the cited requirements.
What should I do if OnVUE disconnects during my exam?
Contact the proctor or in-exam chat immediately, follow the instructions you receive, and relaunch OnVUE from the downloads folder if directed. Record the exact error, times, instructions, and any incident or case number. Support and retake options vary by exam sponsor.
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If the official system test does not pass on the computer and network you will use, fix the setup or investigate an authorized test center. The recommendation is explicitly stated in the IBM-specific guidance cited in the research, but availability and rules differ among exam sponsors.
The Bottom Line
Yes, other candidates have encountered OnVUE technical problems—but that does not by itself prove a current platform outage. Run the official test on your real exam setup, correct the specific failed component, and contact your proctor and exam sponsor immediately if trouble occurs during the appointment.
