The fastest way to turn on your webcam
Your webcam is usually already on—it just needs an app to use it. Open the app you want to video chat in (Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, or your operating system's built-in camera app), and the app will ask permission to use your camera the first time you launch it. Click Allow or Yes, and your webcam feed appears on screen. If nothing shows up, check that your camera lens is not covered by a sticker or sliding shutter, and that the camera is plugged in if it is external.
If you are setting up a webcam for the first time or switching to a new one, your computer may need a few seconds to recognize it. Restart the app after plugging in an external camera, or restart your computer if the camera still does not appear after 30 seconds.
Key Takeaways
- Most webcams turn on automatically when you open an app that uses them—you do not need a separate power button.
- The first time you use a camera in any app, your operating system will ask permission; click Allow to proceed.
- If your camera does not appear, check that the lens is not covered and that an external camera is plugged in.
- Built-in laptop cameras may have a physical shutter or privacy cover that you need to slide open before the camera works.
- Restarting the app or your computer usually fixes a camera that is plugged in but not showing up.
Turning on your camera in Windows 10 and 11
Windows includes a built-in Camera app that lets you test your webcam without opening Zoom or another program. Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type Camera, and click the Camera app when it appears. The app opens and shows your live camera feed within two to three seconds. If you see a black screen or a message saying "No camera found," your camera is either not plugged in, not recognized by Windows, or blocked by privacy settings.
To check Windows privacy settings, press the Windows key, type Privacy settings, and click Camera privacy settings. Make sure the toggle next to Camera access is turned On. Below that, scroll down and confirm that the Camera app itself has the toggle switched On. If these toggles are off, Windows blocks all apps from using your camera even if it is plugged in and working.
Turning on your camera in macOS
Mac computers do not have a standalone camera app like Windows does, but you can test your camera in Photo Booth, which comes built into every Mac. Click the Finder icon in your dock, click Applications in the sidebar, scroll down to Photo Booth, and double-click it. Your camera feed appears in the window within a few seconds. If you see a black screen, check that nothing is covering your camera lens and that your Mac recognizes the camera in System Settings.
To check camera permissions on a Mac, click the Apple menu in the top left, select System Settings, click Privacy & Security in the sidebar, then click Camera. You will see a list of apps that have asked for camera access. Make sure the app you want to use has a checkmark next to it. If an app is not listed, it has never asked for permission yet—open that app and it will prompt you to allow camera access.
Allowing camera access in Zoom, Google Meet, and Skype
When you open Zoom, Google Meet, Skype, or another video app for the first time, the app displays a permission dialog asking whether to allow camera access. Click Allow, Yes, or Grant Permission depending on the app. Your camera feed then appears in the app's preview window. If you accidentally clicked Deny or Block, you will need to change the permission in your operating system's privacy settings (see the Windows or macOS sections above) before the app can use your camera again.
Some apps also have their own camera settings inside the app. In Zoom, click your profile picture in the top right, select Settings, click Audio/Video, and look for Camera. If a camera is listed there, it means Zoom has permission and recognizes your camera. If the dropdown says No Camera, your camera is either not plugged in or your operating system is blocking it.
Fixing a camera that will not turn on
Start by checking the physical setup. If you are using an external USB camera, make sure it is plugged into a USB port on your computer (not a USB hub, which sometimes does not provide enough power). Wait 10 to 15 seconds for your computer to recognize it. If you are using a built-in laptop camera, look for a small sliding shutter or privacy cover on the camera lens—many modern laptops have one, and it must be slid open for the camera to work.
Next, restart the app you are trying to use. Close it completely (not just minimizing it), wait five seconds, and open it again. If the camera still does not appear, restart your computer. After restart, open the app again and wait 30 seconds before assuming the camera is not working. If you are still seeing a black screen or "No Camera" message, check your operating system's privacy settings again to confirm camera access is turned on for that app.
If your camera appears in privacy settings but still shows a black screen in the app, the camera hardware itself may be failing or the app may have a bug. Try opening a different app that uses your camera—if the second app also shows a black screen, the camera hardware is likely the problem. If the second app works, the first app needs to be reinstalled or updated.
Checking if your camera is being used by another app
Only one app can use your camera at a time on most computers. If you have Zoom open and try to open Google Meet, Google Meet will not be able to access the camera because Zoom is already using it. Close Zoom completely, then open Google Meet. You will know an app is still using the camera if you see a green dot next to the camera icon in your system tray (Windows) or menu bar (Mac).
On Windows, click the up arrow in the bottom right corner of your taskbar to see which apps are currently using your camera. On Mac, look at the menu bar in the top right—a green dot or camera icon means something is actively using the camera. If you do not recognize the app, close it or restart your computer to stop it from using the camera.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read software to use my webcam?
No. Most modern webcams work when ready when you plug them in or open an app. Windows and Mac both recognize standard USB cameras without drivers. Some older or specialized cameras may come with a driver disc, but you can usually skip it and the camera will still work.
Why is my camera showing a black screen even though it is plugged in?
Check three things: First, make sure nothing is covering the lens. Second, confirm camera access is turned on in your operating system's privacy settings. Third, restart the app and wait 30 seconds. If it is still black, try a different app to see if the camera works elsewhere—if it does, the first app has a bug and needs to be reinstalled.
Can I use an external webcam instead of my laptop's built-in camera?
Yes. Plug the external camera into a USB port, wait 10 to 15 seconds for your computer to recognize it, then open your video app. In the app's settings, look for a camera dropdown menu and select your external camera from the list. Your computer will use the external camera instead of the built-in one.
What does the privacy cover on my laptop camera do?
The sliding shutter physically blocks the camera lens so no one can see through it, even if an app has permission to use the camera. Slide it open before you start a video call. Some people leave it closed for privacy when they are not video chatting.
My camera works in one app but not another. What is wrong?
The app that is not working either does not have camera permission in your privacy settings, or it has a software bug. Check your operating system's privacy settings and make sure the app has camera access turned on. If it does, try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.