Camera-on is a preference, not a contract. Ten reasons that hold up in any standup.
10 hand-picked excuses
01
On a low-bandwidth connection; saving bandwidth.
02
On the road; audio-only is safer for everyone.
03
Mid-migraine; the screen brightness is rough today.
04
Sick at home; sparing you the visual.
05
Joining from my phone; the camera angle is unflattering at best.
06
Childcare in the background; off-camera for their privacy.
07
Repair person in the house; off-camera until they leave.
08
Walking the dog while listening; will turn on at the desk.
09
Camera permission issue on this device; troubleshooting after.
10
Joining from a coffee shop; respecting other guests.
Or generate one
Click below for a fresh excuse.
FAQ
What's the most credible excuse for a meeting where the camera norm is on?
On a low-bandwidth connection; saving bandwidth. It works because it's specific, honest about the trade-off, and short enough that nobody has follow-up questions.
Can I use the same excuse twice?
Sparingly. Pattern-match is the enemy of plausibility. Rotate from the list of 30 on this page.
Should I post a written update instead?
Almost always yes. A two-sentence async update earns more trust than showing up silent on camera.