Test your webcam in Windows Settings

The fastest way to check your webcam is through Windows Settings. Open Settings, then go to Privacy & Security on the left sidebar. Click Camera, and you'll see a list of apps that have permission to use your webcam. Scroll down to find Camera again under "Allow desktop apps to access your camera" — make sure the toggle is turned on.

Once camera access is enabled, scroll back up and click Open camera at the top of the page. A window will open showing a live feed from your webcam. If you see yourself or your surroundings, your webcam is working. If the screen stays black or shows an error message, your camera may have a hardware problem or a driver issue.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows Settings has a built-in camera test under Privacy & Security that shows a live feed in seconds.
  • If the camera feed is black, check that your webcam isn't physically blocked and that the camera toggle is on in Settings.
  • Mac users can test their webcam by opening Photo Booth or any video app like Zoom or FaceTime.
  • If your webcam works in Settings but not in a specific app, that app may not have camera permission turned on.
  • Outdated or missing drivers are the most common reason a webcam stops working on Windows.

Check your webcam on a Mac

Mac computers don't have a dedicated camera test in System Settings, but you can use Photo Booth, which comes pre-installed on every Mac. Open Spotlight by pressing Command + Space, type "Photo Booth," and press Enter. The app will open and show a live preview from your webcam. If you see video, your camera is working.

If Photo Booth shows a black screen or won't open, try opening FaceTime or Zoom instead. These apps will also display a live camera feed. If all three apps show a black screen, your webcam may be disconnected or have a driver problem.

Test your webcam in a video app

You can also check your webcam by opening any video calling app — Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, or Discord all have camera preview screens. Open the app, go to settings or preferences, and look for a Camera or Video section. Most apps show a live preview of what your camera sees. If you see video, your webcam is working with that app.

If the preview is black in one app but works in another, the problem is usually a permission issue. Go back to Windows Settings or Mac System Settings and make sure that specific app has camera permission turned on. Relaunch the app after changing the permission.

Fix a black camera screen

If your webcam shows a black screen in Settings or in apps, start with the simplest fixes. Check that nothing is physically blocking your camera lens — a sticker, dust, or a webcam cover. If your laptop has a physical camera shutter, make sure it's open. Restart your computer, then try the camera test again.

Next, check that your camera app has permission to use the webcam. In Windows Settings, go to Privacy & Security > Camera and make sure the toggle under "Camera access" is on. If it's already on, turn it off, wait five seconds, and turn it back on. This resets the permission and sometimes fixes a black screen.

If the screen is still black, your webcam driver may be outdated or missing. On Windows, right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, and look for Cameras in the list. Click the arrow next to it to expand. If you see your camera listed with a yellow warning triangle, right-click it and select Update driver. Choose Search automatically for updated driver software and let Windows install any updates it finds.

Check for hardware problems

If your webcam still doesn't work after checking permissions and updating drivers, the camera itself may be disconnected or damaged. On a laptop, the webcam is built in and can't be unplugged, but the cable connecting it to the motherboard may have come loose. This usually requires opening the laptop, which is beyond a straightforward check — you may need to contact the manufacturer or a repair shop.

If you're using an external USB webcam, unplug it from your computer, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. Windows will reinstall the driver automatically. If it still doesn't work, try plugging it into a different USB port. Some USB ports on older computers don't provide enough power to run a webcam. If it works in a different port, the original port may be faulty.

Restart your camera driver on Windows

Sometimes a camera driver gets stuck and needs to be restarted. Open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Device Manager. Find Cameras in the list and click the arrow to expand it. Right-click your camera and select Disable device. Wait 10 seconds, then right-click it again and select Enable device. Windows will reload the driver.

After enabling the device, go back to Settings and test your camera again. This straightforward restart fixes many camera problems that don't have an obvious cause.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my camera showing a black screen even though it's turned on?

A black screen usually means the camera is blocked, the driver needs updating, or the app doesn't have permission. Check that nothing is covering the lens, update your camera driver in Device Manager, and make sure the app has camera permission in Settings. Restart your computer after making changes.

How do I know if my webcam is broken?

If your camera shows a black screen in Windows Settings, Photo Booth, and multiple apps after updating drivers and checking permissions, the hardware is likely broken. On a laptop, the cable connecting the camera to the motherboard may be loose or disconnected — this requires professional repair. On an external USB camera, try a different USB port and a different computer to narrow down the problem.

Can I test my webcam without opening an app?

Yes. On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and click "Open camera" at the top. On Mac, open Photo Booth from Spotlight. Both show a live camera feed without needing to open Zoom, FaceTime, or another app.

What if my camera works in one app but not another?

The app that doesn't work probably doesn't have camera permission. Go to Settings (Windows) or System Settings (Mac), find the app in the Camera permissions list, and turn the toggle on. Close and reopen the app for the change to take effect.

Do I need to update my camera driver?

Only if your camera isn't working or shows a yellow warning in Device Manager. If your camera works fine, you don't need to update the driver. Check for updates only when you're troubleshooting a problem.