Test your webcam in Windows or Mac settings first

The fastest way to check whether your webcam works is to open your operating system's built-in camera app or settings panel. You do not need to read anything or open a video call.

On Windows 10 or 11, search for "Camera" in the Start menu and open the Camera app. You should see a live preview of what your camera sees. If the preview appears and you can see yourself or your surroundings, the camera is working. If you see a black screen or an error message, the camera may be disconnected, disabled, or have a driver problem.

On Mac, open System Preferences (or System Settings on newer versions), go to Security & Privacy, then Camera. You will see a list of apps that have requested camera access. If you want to test the camera itself rather than check permissions, open Photo Booth (in Applications > Utilities) and you should see a live preview. A working camera will display video when ready.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows and Mac both have built-in camera apps you can open without installing anything to see if video is coming through.
  • A black screen usually means the camera is disabled in settings, disconnected physically, or blocked by privacy settings rather than broken hardware.
  • If the camera works in your operating system's app but not in a video call, the problem is usually that the app does not have permission to use the camera.
  • Restarting your computer fixes most temporary camera problems before you troubleshoot further.
  • If your camera has a physical cover or shutter, make sure it is open — many built-in laptop cameras come with a sliding cover.

Check camera permissions in your apps

Even if your camera works in the system app, it may not work in Zoom, Teams, Google Meet, or another video call program if that app does not have permission to use it. Each app must be granted access separately.

On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera. You will see a list of apps. Make sure the toggle is on for any app you want to use the camera with. If an app is not listed, it has never requested camera access — try opening the app and starting a video call, which will prompt it to ask for permission.

On Mac, the process is the same: System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera. Toggle on the apps you use for video. If you do not see an app listed, open it and attempt a video call to trigger the permission request.

Restart your computer and check the physical connection

Many camera problems disappear after a restart. Close all apps, restart your computer, and try the camera app again. This clears temporary software glitches that can block camera access.

If you are using an external USB camera, unplug it from your computer, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. Windows and Mac will detect it again and may reinstall the driver automatically. If the camera still does not work after a restart, try a different USB port — some ports have power or data issues.

For built-in laptop cameras, check whether there is a physical cover or shutter over the lens. Many modern laptops include a sliding cover for privacy. If it is closed, open it. Also look for a keyboard shortcut or function key (often labeled with a camera icon) that might disable the camera — pressing it again will re-enable it.

Update or reinstall your camera driver

Your camera needs a driver — software that tells your operating system how to talk to the hardware. If the driver is outdated or corrupted, the camera will not work even if it is physically fine.

On Windows, right-click the Start menu, open Device Manager, and look for "Cameras" in the list. Expand it and right-click your camera name, then select "Update driver." Windows will search for a newer version online. If that does not work, right-click again and choose "Uninstall device," then restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.

On Mac, drivers are usually built into the operating system and update automatically. If your camera stopped working after a macOS update, restart your computer first. If that does not fix it, you may need to check the manufacturer's website for a newer driver, though this is rare for built-in cameras.

Check for hardware damage or blockage

If your camera still does not work after restarting and checking permissions, the problem may be physical. Look at the camera lens — on a laptop, it is usually a small dark circle above the screen. If it is covered with dust, dirt, or a sticker, gently clean it with a soft, dry cloth. Do not use liquid or abrasive materials.

If the lens looks clean and clear, check whether the camera cable is loose. This is harder to do yourself on a built-in laptop camera without opening the device. If you are comfortable opening your laptop, consult your manufacturer's manual or a repair guide for your specific model. If not, this is a good time to contact the manufacturer or a repair technician.

For external USB cameras, inspect the cable for visible damage — kinks, cuts, or bent connectors. If the cable is damaged, the camera will not work. Many external cameras have replaceable cables, or you may need to replace the entire unit.

Test with a different app or video call

Sometimes a single app has a bug or corrupted settings that block the camera, but other apps work fine. Try opening a different video call program — if you normally use Zoom, try Google Meet or Teams instead. If the camera works in one app but not another, the problem is with that specific app, not your hardware.

If the camera works in the system app and in one video call program but not in another, uninstall and reinstall the app that is not working. This clears out corrupted settings files. You can also try clearing the app's cache: on Windows, go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, find the app, click it, and select "Repair" or "Reset" if those options appear.

When to contact the manufacturer or a technician

If your camera works in the system app and has permission in your apps, but still does not show video in a specific program, the issue is usually with that app's settings, not your camera. Check the app's help documentation or support page for camera troubleshooting steps specific to that program.

If the camera does not work in any app, the system app shows a black screen, or you see an error message saying the camera is not found, the problem is likely a driver issue, a disabled device, or hardware damage. At this point, contact your computer manufacturer's support line or visit a local repair shop. Have ready the model number of your computer and camera (if external), and describe exactly what happens when you try to use it — whether you see an error message, a black screen, or nothing at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my camera show a black screen even though it is turned on?

A black screen usually means the camera is disabled in your operating system settings, blocked by another app, or has a driver problem. Check your privacy settings to make sure the camera is enabled, and restart your computer. If it still shows black, try updating the driver in Device Manager (Windows) or checking System Settings (Mac).

My camera works in Zoom but not in Teams. What is wrong?

The problem is with Teams, not your camera. Try uninstalling and reinstalling Teams, or check Teams' camera settings to make sure the correct camera is selected. If you have multiple cameras connected, Teams might be trying to use the wrong one.

How do I know if my camera is disabled in BIOS?

BIOS is your computer's firmware layer, and disabling the camera there is rare. If you suspect this, restart your computer and enter BIOS (usually by pressing Delete, F2, or F12 during startup — check your manufacturer's manual). Look for a setting called "Integrated Camera" or "Built-in Camera" and make sure it is enabled. If you are not comfortable in BIOS, contact your manufacturer's support.

Can I test my camera without opening any apps?

Not really — you need to open something to see the video feed. The easiest option is your operating system's built-in camera app (Camera on Windows, Photo Booth on Mac), which requires no setup or login.

What if my external camera is not showing up in Device Manager?

Unplug the camera and wait 10 seconds, then plug it into a different USB port. If it still does not appear in Device Manager, try plugging it into a different computer to see if the camera itself is broken or if the problem is with your computer's USB ports. If it works on another computer, you may have a USB driver issue on your main computer.