Greenlight › Webcam Not Working on Mac
Webcam Not Working on Mac?
Check your FaceTime HD or external camera in one click, then follow the fixes below — most take under a minute.
📷 Webcam Test
Check your camera feed before a call.
Your video never leaves your device — there is no upload, recording, or storage.
🎤 Microphone Test
Speak normally and watch the meter move.
Your audio is processed locally and is never recorded or sent anywhere.
How to fix a Mac camera that isn’t working
Click Start Camera Test above. If you see yourself, the camera works and the problem is a specific app. If you get an error or a black box, start at step 1.
1. Allow camera access for the app
- Open Apple menu → System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera.
- Switch on the app you’re using — your browser, Zoom, Teams, and so on.
- Quit and reopen that app. macOS only applies the change after a restart of the app.
An app only appears in this list after it has asked for the camera at least once, so open it and try its camera first if you don’t see it.
2. Allow the camera in your browser
- Safari: Safari → Settings → Websites → Camera, and set this site (or your meeting site) to Allow.
- Chrome: click the icon on the left of the address bar, open Site settings, and set Camera to Allow.
3. Quit other apps using the camera
The green light next to the camera shows it’s already in use. Quit FaceTime, Photo Booth, Zoom, Teams, OBS, and any browser tabs with video calls, then test again.
4. Pick the right camera
With an iPhone nearby, macOS may switch to it automatically as a Continuity Camera. External webcams and virtual cameras also show up as options. In the test above and in your app’s video settings, choose the camera you actually want.
5. Check Screen Time restrictions
If the camera is missing everywhere, open System Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy and make sure Camera is allowed. This is common on work or family-managed Macs.
Still stuck? Install the latest macOS update from System Settings → General → Software Update. Camera bugs are often fixed in point releases.
Mac camera FAQ
Why is my Mac camera not working?
The most common causes are the app not having camera permission in System Settings under Privacy & Security, another app already using the camera, or the wrong camera being selected. If the webcam test on this page shows your picture, the camera hardware works and the fix is inside the specific app.
How do I test my camera on a Mac?
Click Start Camera Test on this page and allow access when your browser asks. You can also open Photo Booth or FaceTime, which use the built-in camera by default.
Why does my Mac say there is no camera available?
This usually means another app is holding the camera or the app lacks permission. Quit other video apps, check System Settings under Privacy & Security and Camera, and restart the Mac if the camera still doesn't appear. On managed Macs, Screen Time or an admin profile can also block the camera.
Does this camera test record or upload my video?
No. The preview runs only in your browser and is never recorded, saved, or sent anywhere. Clicking Stop or closing the tab turns the camera off.