Check that your camera turns on and shows video

The fastest way to test your webcam is to open the camera app built into your operating system. On Windows, search for "Camera" in the Start menu and click the Camera app — you should see your own face or the room in front of you within a few seconds. On Mac, open Finder, go to Applications, then Utilities, and double-click Photo Booth. On Linux, open Cheese or Smile if it is installed.

If you see a live video feed, your camera hardware is working and your operating system can access it. If the screen stays black or says "No camera found," your camera may not be plugged in, may be disabled in your system settings, or may have a hardware problem. Try unplugging and replugging a USB camera, or restart your computer and try again.

Key Takeaways

  • Test your camera in your operating system's built-in camera app before testing it in a video call program, because this tells you whether the hardware works at all.
  • Check your video call software's camera settings separately, because the app may have permission issues or may be set to use the wrong camera if you have more than one.
  • Test audio and video together in a practice call or recording, because a camera that works in isolation may have lag or poor lighting when you are actually on a call.
  • Check your lighting from the front and slightly above, and position your camera at eye level or slightly above, because these two changes fix most video quality problems.
  • If your camera works in the system app but not in your video call software, restart the call app and check its camera permissions in your system settings.

Test your camera in your video call software

After confirming your camera works in the system app, test it in the program you will actually use for your call — Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, or another platform. Open the app and look for a Settings or Preferences menu. In Zoom, click Settings, then Video on the left side. In Google Meet, click your profile picture, then Settings, then Camera. In Teams, click your profile picture, then Settings, then Devices.

You should see a preview of your camera feed in the settings window. If you see video, the app has permission to use your camera. If the preview is black or says "No camera," the app does not have permission yet. On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and make sure the toggle for your video call app is turned on. On Mac, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and check that your app is listed and allowed.

Record a short test video to check quality and audio

A camera that shows live video may still have problems you will not notice until you are on a real call — lag between your movement and what others see, poor lighting, or audio that does not sync with your video. The best way to catch these is to record a 10 to 15 second test video of yourself speaking.

On Windows, open the Camera app, click the video camera icon at the bottom, and click the red record button. On Mac, open Photo Booth, click the video camera icon at the bottom left, and click the red record button. Speak a few sentences, move your head, and watch for delay. Then play the recording back. If your lips move before you hear your voice, or if your movement lags behind what you see, your system may have latency issues during calls.

If the video is dark, grainy, or blurry, the problem is usually lighting or camera position, not the camera itself. Move to a spot with natural light in front of you (not behind you), or turn on a desk lamp aimed at your face from the side. Position your camera at eye level or slightly above — if your laptop camera is below your eyes, prop the laptop up on a book or stand.

Test camera permissions if video appears in settings but not in calls

Sometimes your camera works in the system camera app and shows a preview in your video call software, but the other people on the call see a black screen. This usually means the app lost permission to use the camera, or another app is using it at the same time.

First, close all other apps that might use your camera — photo editors, other video call apps, or browser tabs with video calls open. Then restart your video call app completely (close it and open it again). If that does not work, check your system permissions again. On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera, find your video call app in the list, and toggle it off, wait 10 seconds, then toggle it back on. On Mac, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera, find your app, click the minus button to remove it, then open the app again and grant permission when prompted.

Position your camera and lighting for the best video

Camera position and lighting matter more than camera quality for how you look on a call. Position your camera so the lens is at eye level or slightly above — this is more flattering than looking down at the camera. If your laptop camera is too low, place the laptop on a stack of books or use an external camera on a stand.

Light your face from the front and slightly to the side, not from behind. If you sit with a window behind you, the camera will expose for the bright background and your face will be dark. Move so the window is to your side, or turn on a desk lamp in front of you. Avoid harsh overhead lights, which create shadows under your eyes. A soft light from a lamp or window at about 45 degrees to your face usually looks best.

Test these changes in a practice recording or a test call with a friend. What looks good to you in the mirror may look different on camera, and what looks good in your room may look different on a small video call window.

Use a test call feature if your video call app offers one

Many video call platforms include a built-in test call feature so you can see how you look and sound without calling another person. In Zoom, go to Settings > Audio or Video and look for a "Test Speaker and Microphone" or "Test Video" button. In Google Meet, start a new meeting, click Settings, and you can preview your camera and microphone before anyone joins. In Teams, go to Settings > Devices and click "Make a test call" — the system will record a short message from you and play it back so you can hear and see yourself.

These test calls are the closest thing to a real call without actually calling someone. Use them right before an important meeting to make sure everything is working. If you notice problems during the test call, you have time to fix them before your real call starts.

Troubleshoot a camera that was working but suddenly stopped

If your camera worked yesterday but does not work today, the problem is usually a permission change, a software update, or another app using the camera. First, restart your computer — this fixes many temporary problems. Then check that no other app is using the camera. On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and look at which apps have permission. On Mac, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and check the list.

If a different app is using your camera, close that app. If your video call app is in the permission list but you still cannot see video, remove it from the list and add it back. On Windows, toggle the app off and on again. On Mac, click the minus button to remove it, then open the app and grant permission when prompted. If you recently updated your operating system or your video call app, check the app's support page for known camera issues — sometimes an update breaks camera access temporarily until a patch is released.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my camera work in the system app but not in Zoom or Teams?

The video call app does not have permission to use your camera, or another app is using it. Close all other apps, restart your video call app, then check your system camera permissions and toggle the app off and on again. If that does not work, uninstall and reinstall the video call app.

My camera shows video but it is very dark or blurry. Is my camera broken?

Probably not. Dark video is almost always a lighting problem — move to a spot with light in front of you, not behind you. Blurry video usually means the camera lens is dirty or you are too close to it. Wipe the lens with a soft cloth and move back a few inches. If it is still blurry, try adjusting focus in your camera app settings.

How do I know if my camera has lag or delay?

Record a test video of yourself speaking and moving, then play it back. If your voice comes after your lips move, or if your head movement lags behind what you see, you have latency. This is usually caused by a slow computer or a weak internet connection, not the camera itself. Close other apps and browser tabs, and move closer to your WiFi router if possible.

Can I test my camera without installing anything?

Yes. Open your web browser and search for "webcam test" — several websites let you test your camera directly in the browser without downloading software. These sites show you what your camera sees and let you check that your video call app can access it. They do not store your video.

What should I do if my external USB camera is not showing up?

Unplug the camera, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. Then restart your computer. If it still does not appear, try a different USB port. If you have more than one camera, check your video call app settings to make sure it is set to use the external camera, not the built-in one.