How to Fix a Webcam That Isn't Working

Find the Cause in Your Browser

1. Open the webcam test and press Test My Webcam.
2. Allow camera access when your browser asks.
3. If your picture appears, the webcam works. The problem is in the app you were using.
4. If it doesn't, read the message the test shows in place of the picture.

Each message matches an error the browser reports when it can't open a camera. MDN documents these errors for getUserMedia(), the function web pages use to open a camera.

• Camera Access Is Blocked: the browser or system denied access. See the permission steps below.
• Camera Is in Use: the camera exists but couldn't be opened. Usually another app, such as Zoom, Teams, or OBS, has it.
• No Camera Found: no camera reached the browser. It may be switched off, unplugged, or not detected.
• Camera Mode Not Available: the camera refused every mode the test asked for, even with no resolution set.

The test runs in the page, and nothing you film is uploaded.

Camera Access Is Blocked

If you chose Never allow when Chrome asked, the site stays blocked until you change it in settings.

• Chrome: go to Settings, then Privacy and security, then Site settings, then Camera. Change the site to Allow, or delete its entry so Chrome asks again.
• Windows 11: select Start, then Settings, then Privacy and security, then Camera. Turn on Camera access, "Let apps access your camera", and "Let desktop apps access your camera". Browsers count as desktop apps.
• Mac: choose Apple menu, then System Settings, then Privacy and Security, then Camera. Turn on your browser.
• Mac with Screen Time: in System Settings, open Screen Time, then Content and Privacy, then App Restrictions. Make sure Camera is selected.

Reload the webcam test after each change and try again.

Camera Is in Use

Most webcams work with one app at a time. Microsoft lists "another app or process is using the camera" among the common Windows camera errors.

1. Quit video apps such as Zoom, Teams, Skype, OBS, and the Camera app. Check the system tray or menu bar for ones running in the background.
2. Close other browser tabs that might be on a call.
3. If you can't find the app, restart the computer. Microsoft says to restart it, not put it to sleep.

No Camera Found

1. Look for a camera switch or shutter. Microsoft lists a side switch, a slider over the lens, and a camera key on the keyboard, sometimes pressed with Fn.
2. For a USB webcam, try a different USB port and check that the computer detects it, as Logitech suggests.
3. On Windows, open Device Manager. Look under Cameras, Imaging devices, or "Sound, video and game controllers". If the camera isn't there, open the Action menu and select "Scan for hardware changes".
4. On a Mac, make sure macOS is up to date. Restart a Mac with Apple silicon. On an Intel-based Mac, Apple says to reset the SMC.

If It Stopped After an Update

On Windows, Microsoft suggests checking Windows Update, including Optional updates, for a newer camera driver. If the camera stopped after an update, roll the driver back.

1. In Device Manager, right-click the camera and select Properties.
2. On the Driver tab, select Roll Back Driver, then Yes.
3. If that doesn't help, select Uninstall Device instead. Check "Attempt to remove the driver for this device" and select OK.
4. Open the Action menu, select "Scan for hardware changes", and restart the computer.

Microsoft also suggests turning off antivirus for a moment to test, since some security software blocks the camera. Turn it back on afterward.

If It Still Doesn't Work

Try the camera in a second app, such as the Windows Camera app or Photo Booth on a Mac. If it works there, the first app is the problem.

Try a USB webcam on another computer. If it fails on every computer and port, it's likely faulty, so contact the maker's support.

Apple says a Mac may need service if the built-in camera still doesn't work, or if the green indicator light next to it flashes.