Test your webcam in your operating system's built-in settings first

The fastest way to check whether your webcam works is to open the camera app or settings that came with your computer. You do not need to read anything or open a web browser. Windows, macOS, and Linux all have native tools that will show you a live video feed from your camera if it is connected and functioning.

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 webcam is recording within a few seconds. If you see video, your camera is working. If the screen stays black or you see an error message, move to the troubleshooting sections below.

On macOS, 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. This tells you whether your camera is recognized by the system, but does not show a live feed. To see actual video, open Photo Booth (search for it in Spotlight) and you will see yourself on screen if the camera works.

Key Takeaways

  • Windows and macOS both have built-in camera apps you can open without installing software to see a live video feed.
  • A black screen or "camera not found" error usually means the camera is disabled in settings, not physically broken.
  • Check Device Manager on Windows or System Report on macOS to confirm your operating system recognizes the camera hardware.
  • Restarting your computer fixes most webcam problems because it resets the connection between the camera and the system.
  • If your camera works in the built-in app but not in a web browser or video call, the browser may need permission to use the camera.

Check whether your camera is disabled in device settings

Many webcams stop working because they are disabled in your computer's settings, not because they are broken. Windows and macOS both allow you to turn cameras on or off at the system level, and some laptops have a physical switch or keyboard shortcut that disables the camera.

On Windows, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start button and selecting Device Manager. Look for "Cameras" in the list and click the arrow next to it to expand. If you see your camera listed with a down arrow or red X icon, it is disabled. Right-click on it and select "Enable device." Wait a few seconds for Windows to turn it back on, then open the Camera app again to test.

On macOS, open System Settings, go to Privacy & Security, and select Camera from the left sidebar. You will see a list of apps. If the list is empty or grayed out, your camera may be disabled at the system level. Try restarting your computer, which often re-enables the camera. If that does not work, restart in Safe Mode (hold Shift while restarting) and check the camera settings again.

Check your keyboard for a camera icon on one of the function keys (F1 through F12). Some laptops use a keyboard shortcut like Fn + F2 or Fn + F10 to toggle the camera on and off. Try pressing that combination and then test your camera again.

Verify the camera is recognized by your operating system

Before you assume the camera is broken, confirm that your computer actually detects it as hardware. This step tells you whether the problem is a connection issue or something deeper.

On Windows, open Device Manager again and look under "Cameras" or "Imaging devices." Your webcam should be listed by name (often something like "Integrated Camera" or the manufacturer's name). If you see it listed with no error icon, Windows recognizes it. If it does not appear in either category, the camera may not be connected properly or the driver is missing.

On macOS, click the Apple menu, select About This Mac, then click System Report. Go to Hardware on the left, then USB (or Thunderbolt if your camera connects via Thunderbolt). Look for your camera in the list. If it appears, macOS recognizes it. If it does not, the connection may be loose or the camera may not be powered on.

Restart your computer to reset the camera connection

A restart fixes most webcam problems because it resets the connection between the camera and your operating system. This is the single most effective troubleshooting step and should be your first move if the camera app shows a black screen or an error.

Close all open programs, then shut down your computer completely. Wait at least 30 seconds before turning it back on. Once it has fully restarted and you are logged in, open the Camera app or Photo Booth and test again. Many webcams that appeared broken will work when ready after a restart.

If restarting does not work, try unplugging the camera (if it is external) or disconnecting it from the USB port, waiting 10 seconds, and plugging it back in. This forces your computer to re-detect the camera as a new device.

Check browser permissions if your camera works in the system app but not online

If your webcam works in the built-in Camera app or Photo Booth but shows a black screen or error in a web browser or video call, the browser does not have permission to use the camera. This is a security feature — browsers must ask your permission before accessing your camera.

In Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge, look for a camera icon or a message in the address bar asking for permission to use your camera. Click "Allow" when prompted. If you previously clicked "Block" or "Don't allow," you need to change that setting. In Chrome, click the lock icon next to the website address, find Camera, and change it from "Block" to "Allow." In Firefox, go to Settings, Privacy & Security, scroll to Permissions, and click Settings next to Camera to manage which sites can use it.

After you change the permission, refresh the web page and test again. The camera should now work in that browser.

Update or reinstall your camera driver on Windows

A camera driver is software that tells Windows how to communicate with your webcam. If the driver is outdated or corrupted, the camera may not work even though the hardware is fine.

Open Device Manager, find your camera under Cameras or Imaging devices, right-click it, and select "Update driver." Choose "Search automatically for updated driver software" and let Windows search for the latest version. If an update is found, Windows will install it automatically. Restart your computer when prompted.

If updating does not work, right-click the camera again and select "Uninstall device." Restart your computer. Windows will automatically reinstall the driver when it detects the camera again. This often fixes problems that an update alone cannot solve.

Test your camera in a video call process

Once you confirm your camera works in the built-in app, test it in the actual process you plan to use — Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or another video call platform. Each process has its own camera settings and permission requirements, and a camera that works in one app may not work in another if permissions are not set correctly.

Open the video call app, go to Settings or Preferences, find the Camera or Video section, and look for a dropdown menu that lists available cameras. Make sure your webcam is selected. Many apps show a preview window where you can see yourself; if you see video there, the camera is working in that app. If the preview is black, go back to the browser or app permissions and make sure the camera is allowed.

If your camera still does not work in the app, close the app completely and restart it. Sometimes an app needs to be restarted after you change camera permissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A black screen usually means the camera is disabled in your operating system settings, not physically broken. Check Device Manager on Windows or System Settings on macOS to see if the camera is listed as disabled. You can also try restarting your computer, which resets the camera connection. If the camera works in the built-in Camera app but not in a web browser, the browser does not have permission to use it — check your browser settings and allow camera access.

How do I know if my webcam is actually broken or just disconnected?

If your camera is external (plugged in via USB), unplug it, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. Then open the Camera app to test. If it still does not work, check Device Manager or System Report to see if your computer recognizes the camera as hardware. If the camera does not appear in either place, it may be broken. If it appears but does not show video, the problem is usually a driver or permission issue, not a broken camera.

Can I test my webcam without opening an app?

Yes. On Windows, you can check Device Manager to confirm the camera is recognized and enabled. On macOS, you can check System Report to see if the camera is listed. However, these methods only tell you whether the hardware is detected — they do not show you a live video feed. Opening the Camera app or Photo Booth is the quickest way to actually see whether video is coming through.

What should I do if my camera works sometimes but not always?

An intermittent camera usually means the connection is loose (if external) or the driver needs updating. Try unplugging and replugging an external camera, or restarting your computer to reset the connection. On Windows, update your camera driver through Device Manager. If the problem continues, the camera hardware may be failing and may need to be replaced.

Why does my camera work in Zoom but not in Google Meet?

Different applications have separate permission settings. Even if your camera works in one app, another app may not have permission to use it. Open Google Meet's settings, find the Camera section, and make sure your webcam is selected and the app has permission to use it. You may also need to restart Google Meet after changing the permission.