Test your camera directly in Teams settings before you join a call
Open Microsoft Teams and select your profile picture in the top right corner, then choose Settings. Go to Devices in the left menu, then select Camera. You will see a live preview of what your camera is showing — this is the fastest way to check whether your camera works and what you actually look like on screen.
If you see a live preview, your camera is working. If the preview is blank or shows an error message, your camera either is not connected, is being used by another program, or needs a driver update. The preview window also shows you the angle, lighting, and framing before you join a real meeting, so you can adjust your position or move a lamp if needed.
You can also test your camera during a meeting setup. When you are about to join a call, Teams shows you a preview of your video and audio before you enter the meeting room. This preview appears on the screen where you see the meeting details and the green Join button — your camera feed displays in a small window so you can see exactly what other people will see when you turn your video on.
Key Takeaways
- The fastest camera test is in Settings > Devices > Camera, where you see a live preview of your camera feed.
- A blank preview means your camera is not connected, is in use by another program, or needs a driver update.
- You can also test your camera just before joining a meeting by looking at the preview window on the join screen.
- Check your lighting and camera angle in the preview — what you see there is what other people will see.
- If your camera works in Teams settings but not in a meeting, another program may be using it; close that program and try again.
What to do if the preview is blank or frozen
First, close Teams completely and check whether another program is using your camera. Video conferencing apps, streaming software, security cameras, and even some browser tabs can lock your camera so that only one program can use it at a time. Close any program that might be accessing your camera, then reopen Teams and check the preview again.
If the preview is still blank, restart your computer. This clears temporary locks on the camera and reloads the camera driver. After restart, open Teams, go back to Settings > Devices > Camera, and look for the preview again.
If the preview remains blank after restart, your camera driver may be outdated or missing. On Windows, right-click the Start button, select Device Manager, find Cameras in the list, and right-click your camera name. Choose Update driver and let Windows search for the latest version. On Mac, camera drivers update automatically with system updates, so check System Settings > General > Software Update to see if an update is available.
How to test audio at the same time
While you are in Settings > Devices, you can test both your microphone and speakers. Below the Camera section, you will see Microphone and Speaker. For your microphone, speak normally and watch the blue bar next to "Microphone" — it should move when you talk, showing that Teams is picking up your voice.
To test your speaker, click Make a test call at the bottom of the Devices page. Teams will record a short message from you, play it back, and let you rate the quality. This test call takes about one minute and shows you exactly how you sound to other people. If you hear yourself clearly during playback, your speaker is working.
Testing your camera angle and lighting before a meeting
The camera preview in Teams settings shows you the raw image your camera captures, which means you can see exactly what other people will see — no filters, no adjustments. Use this preview to check your background, make sure your face is well-lit, and confirm that the camera is pointing at your face rather than at your forehead or chin.
Natural light from a window in front of you is ideal. If you are backlit (sitting in front of a bright window), your face will appear dark to others. Move your desk or chair so that light comes from the side or front. If you are in a dim room, a desk lamp or ring light placed near your camera helps. Avoid sitting directly under overhead lights, which can create harsh shadows.
Check that your camera is at eye level or slightly above. If your laptop camera is below your eyes, tilt the screen up or place the laptop on a stack of books. A camera that points upward at your face is unflattering and makes it harder for others to see your expression.
Why your camera works in Teams settings but not in a meeting
If your camera preview works in Settings but your video does not appear when you join a meeting, the most common cause is that you have not turned your video on. When you join a Teams meeting, your camera is off by default — you have to click the camera icon at the bottom of the meeting window to turn it on. Look for the camera icon in the toolbar at the bottom of your screen and click it to start sending video.
If the camera icon is already on but your video still does not show, another program may have taken control of your camera between the time you tested it and the time you joined the meeting. Close the meeting, close any other programs that might use your camera, and rejoin the meeting.
A third possibility is that your camera permissions are turned off for Teams. On Windows, go to Settings > Privacy & security > Camera, scroll down to Allow apps to access your camera, and make sure the toggle next to Microsoft Teams is turned on. On Mac, go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and check that Teams is in the list of allowed apps.
Testing on a phone or tablet
On a phone or tablet, open the Teams app and tap your profile picture, then tap Settings. Tap Calls and look for Camera. You will not see a live preview on mobile the way you do on a computer, but you can join a test meeting to see your camera in action. Start a meeting with yourself by tapping New meeting, then tap the camera icon to turn on your video and see how you look.
On mobile, make sure you have given Teams permission to use your camera. On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy > Camera and turn on Teams. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Permissions > Camera and allow Teams access. Without this permission, Teams cannot use your camera even if it is working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I test my camera without joining a real meeting?
Yes. Go to Settings > Devices > Camera in Teams and look at the live preview window. You can also click Make a test call at the bottom of the Devices page to record and play back a short video of yourself. Both methods let you test your camera without entering an actual meeting.
What does it mean if Teams says "camera not found"?
Your camera is either not connected to your computer, is being used by another program, or needs a driver update. Check that your camera is plugged in (if it is external), close any other programs that might be using it, and restart your computer. If the error persists, update your camera driver through Device Manager on Windows or System Settings on Mac.
Why is my camera preview upside down or sideways?
Some cameras have a rotation setting in Teams. In Settings > Devices > Camera, look for a rotate button or option near the preview window. Click it to flip your image to the correct orientation. If you do not see a rotate option, your camera hardware may be mounted incorrectly — check how your external camera is positioned or contact your device manufacturer.
Does testing my camera in Teams settings use any of my internet data?
No. The camera preview in Settings > Devices > Camera is a local preview only — it does not send video over the internet. The Make a test call feature does use internet data because it records and plays back a video, but it is a small file and takes only about one minute.
Can I test my camera on Teams without a Microsoft account?
You need to be signed into Teams to access Settings and test your camera. If you do not have a Microsoft account, you can create one for free at microsoft.com. Once you are signed in, you can test your camera in Settings at any time, even if you do not have any scheduled meetings.