SmartBrowser - Help Guide for Candidates

This guide walks you through everything from installing SmartBrowser to finishing your session, and helps you fix the most common issues along the way.

1. Before you begin: system requirements

Make sure your computer meets these minimum requirements before your session:

A few important notes:

• Use physical hardware. SmartBrowser does not run inside virtual machines. If a virtual environment is detected, you will be blocked from continuing.
• No virtual cameras. Virtual or software cameras (for example, OBS Virtual Camera or similar tools) are not allowed and must be disabled.
• One screen only. Disconnect any extra monitors, projectors, or TVs before you start.
• Good lighting. Make sure your face is well lit so the camera feed is clear.

2. Installing SmartBrowser

1. Download SmartBrowser for your operating system from the link provided by HackerEarth or your test invitation.
2. Run the installer:
   1. Windows: Run the downloaded installer and follow the prompts. On first launch, Windows may ask you to install a required component (Visual C++ Redistributable). Installing this component requires administrator permissions, so make sure you can approve the prompt (or have an admin available).
      • Enterprise / managed setups: If your computers are managed by an IT team and individual users don't have admin rights, your administrator can download the Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable separately and pre-install it on all users' systems (for example, via your software deployment tool). Once it's installed, SmartBrowser will detect it and skip this step.
        
   2. macOS: Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag SmartBrowser into your Applications folder.
3. Launch SmartBrowser at least once before your test to confirm it opens correctly.

Tip: Install SmartBrowser well ahead of your scheduled session so you have time to fix any issues.

3. Launching your session

There are two ways to start your session:

Option A — Launch from your invitation (recommended)

1. Open the test or interview invitation link in your regular web browser.
2. Click Start in the invitation.
3. Your browser will ask for permission to open SmartBrowser — allow it.
4. SmartBrowser opens and automatically loads your session. When checks pass, you'll see "All System Checks Passed" and a Continue button.
   
   
   

Option B — Enter a session link manually

If the Start button doesn't work:

1. Open SmartBrowser directly. You'll see the Welcome to SmartBrowser screen.
2. Click "Enter it manually" under Have a direct session link?
3. Paste your full session URL (it should start with https://) and click Launch session.

Note: If you see "Please enter a valid URL", double-check that you copied the complete link, including the https:// prefix.

4. Step-by-step: what happens after launch

After you launch, SmartBrowser guides you through a short, automated sequence:

1. Checking for updates — SmartBrowser makes sure you're on the latest version.
2. System Check — verifies permissions, camera, display, network, and more.
3. Checks completed — confirmation that your system is ready.
4. Open Applications Check — confirms no restricted apps are running.
   
5. Microphone & Speaker Check (for interview sessions) — verifies your audio.
6. Screen sharing — begins sharing your screen for proctoring.
7. Your session begins — the test or interview loads.

You don't need to do anything special between steps — SmartBrowser moves forward automatically as each check passes. If a check fails, it will stop and show you exactly what to fix, along with a Retry button.

5. Understanding the System Check

The System Check screen runs each of the following checks in order. A green check mark means it passed; a red icon means it needs attention.

 

Granting permissions

If the permissions check fails, you'll see a message telling you which permission is missing. Here's how to grant them:

macOS — Open System Settings → Privacy & Security, then enable SmartBrowser under:

• Camera
• Microphone
• Screen Recording
• Full Disk Access (this lets SmartBrowser confirm your environment is secure — no personal files or data are accessed)

After granting a permission, return to SmartBrowser and click Retry. You may need to quit and reopen SmartBrowser for some permissions to take effect.

Windows — Open Settings → Privacy & security, then allow camera and microphone access for desktop apps. Make sure no other application is currently using your camera or microphone.

6. Camera, microphone, and speaker checks

Camera

When the camera check runs, you'll see a live preview of your camera feed. Before continuing:

• Confirm you can see yourself clearly in the preview.
• If you have more than one camera, choose the correct one from the Camera dropdown.
• If the feed is too dark, improve your lighting — the Continue button stays disabled until lighting is acceptable.
• If a virtual camera is detected, disable that software and click Retry. You cannot continue while a virtual camera is active.

Click Continue once your preview looks good.

Note: If you see "Could not start video source", the camera is likely being used by another app (e.g. Zoom, Teams, your browser). Close those apps and retry.

Microphone (interview sessions)

1. Select your microphone from the dropdown.
2. Speak — the level meter should react to your voice ("Receiving audio").
3. Once the meter responds, click Next: Speaker Check.

A working microphone is required to continue.

Speaker (interview sessions)

1. Select your speaker/output device.
2. Click Play Test Sound — you should hear a short tone.
3. After you've heard the tone, click Continue to proceed.

7. Open applications check

Before your session starts, SmartBrowser checks for other applications that could interfere (for example, screen-sharing, messaging, or recording tools).

• If restricted apps are found, you'll see a list of them.
• Click Try Closing Automatically to let SmartBrowser close them for you.
• If some apps can't be closed automatically, you'll see a message like "Could not close: … Please close them manually." Close them yourself through your operating system, then click Retry Check.
• Once no restricted apps remain, SmartBrowser continues automatically.

8. Screen sharing

SmartBrowser automatically shares your full screen for proctoring during the session.

• This starts on its own — you don't need to choose a window.
• You'll see a preview and a "Screen sharing is active" indicator.
• Keep screen sharing on for the entire session. Stopping it may interrupt or invalidate your session.

Note: If you see "Failed to start screen sharing", check that SmartBrowser has Screen Recording permission (see Granting permissions) and retry.

9. During your session

While your test or interview is in progress:

• Stay in SmartBrowser. Don't try to open other applications or switch windows.
• Keep your face visible to the camera and stay in a well-lit area.
• Don't disconnect your camera, microphone, or internet.
• Don't connect additional monitors.
• If a restricted application is opened during the session, you may see a warning overlay. Close the app to continue.
• A monitoring notice may appear to remind you that your session is being proctored.
  

When you finish, you'll see a completion screen confirming your session has ended. You can then safely close SmartBrowser.

10. Troubleshooting common issues

"No internet connection"

SmartBrowser needs an active connection. Reconnect to Wi-Fi or plug in an Ethernet cable. The app will resume automatically once you're back online.

A system check keeps failing

Click Retry after fixing the issue. If it still fails:

• Restart SmartBrowser.
• Restart your computer.
• Try a different network (some office, school, or VPN networks block required services).

"Multiple displays detected"

Disconnect all extra monitors, projectors, and TVs so only your primary screen is connected, then Retry.

"Domain resolution failed"

Your network is blocking required HackerEarth services. Try:

• Disconnecting from VPNs or proxies.
• Switching to a home/personal network instead of a corporate one.
• Temporarily disabling firewall or DLP software (or asking your IT team to allow the required domains).

"Your internet connection speed is too low"

You need at least 512 kbps download. Move closer to your router, switch to a wired connection, or pause other downloads/streams, then Retry.

"Virtual machine detected"

SmartBrowser must run on a physical computer. Switch from your virtual machine to real hardware.

Camera shows a black screen or won't start

• Close any other app using the camera (Zoom, Teams, browser tabs, etc.).
• Disable any virtual camera software.
• Check that your camera is connected and its drivers are installed.
• On macOS/Windows, confirm camera permission is granted, then Retry.

Microphone isn't detected

• Select the correct microphone from the dropdown.
• Allow microphone access in your system settings.
• Plug your microphone back in if it was disconnected, then click Retry.

SmartBrowser crashed or won't load the test

• Close and reopen SmartBrowser.
• Make sure you're on the latest version (let the updater finish).
• Check your internet connection.
• If it persists, contact support with any error message you see.

11. Frequently asked questions

Do I need to install SmartBrowser every time?

No. Install it once. It will check for and apply updates automatically when you launch it.

Why does SmartBrowser need camera, microphone, and screen access?

These are used for proctoring to maintain the integrity of your assessment. SmartBrowser only accesses what's needed for the session.

Can I use two monitors?

No. Only a single display is allowed. Disconnect any additional screens before starting.

Can I run SmartBrowser in a virtual machine?

No. It must run on physical hardware.

What if I lose internet during the test?

SmartBrowser will show a "No internet connection" screen and resume once you're reconnected. Reconnect as quickly as possible.

Can I minimize or switch out of SmartBrowser during the test?

No. Leaving the secure environment may trigger warnings and could affect your session.

The Start button didn't open SmartBrowser. What now?

Open SmartBrowser manually and use "Enter it manually" to paste your session link.

12. Getting more help

If you're still stuck after trying the steps above, contact HackerEarth support:

• Email: support@hackerearth.com

When reaching out, please include:

• A description of the problem and which step it happened on.
• The exact error message shown on screen (a screenshot helps).
• Your operating system and version.

We're here to help you complete your assessment smoothly.