Mac Camera Not Working? How to Fix It

Quick answer: Quit every other app that might be using the camera, then open Photo Booth. If Photo Booth shows your picture, the camera works and the problem is the app: allow it in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera, choose the right camera in its video settings, and reopen it. If Photo Booth shows nothing either, check Screen Time → Content & Privacy for camera restrictions, install macOS updates, and restart your Mac. A green light that flashes can point to a hardware problem that needs Apple service.

Test the camera in Photo Booth first

Photo Booth comes with every Mac and has camera access automatically, so it's a quick way to tell a camera problem from an app problem.

1. Quit FaceTime, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, browser tabs with meetings, and any other app that might be using the camera.
2. Open Photo Booth from the Applications folder or with Spotlight (Command-Space).
3. Look at the green light next to the camera and at the preview.

• Preview works: the camera is fine. Skip to the section about one app below.
• Black preview or no camera found: work through the steps below.
• Wrong camera: click Camera in the menu bar and choose the built-in camera.

Fix a camera that doesn't work in any app

These steps follow Apple's built-in camera troubleshooting guide, in order.

1. Update macOS. Choose Apple menu → System Settings → General → Software Update and install any updates.
2. Check Screen Time. Open System Settings → Screen Time → Content & Privacy, then App Restrictions (or Apps), and make sure Camera is allowed. Also check App Limits for the apps that need the camera.
3. Check camera permission. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera and turn on the apps that need it. Quit and reopen an app after you allow it.
4. Restart your Mac. On a Mac with Apple silicon, a restart is the reset Apple recommends. On an Intel-based Mac, Apple also suggests resetting the SMC.

If the green light next to the camera flashes, or the camera still doesn't work after these steps, contact Apple Support. The camera may need service.

If the camera works in one app but not another

When Photo Booth works but your video app doesn't, the problem is almost always in that app:

• Permission. Turn the app on in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera, then quit and reopen it. Browsers need this too: allow Safari, Chrome, or Firefox there for web meetings.
• Website permission. In Safari, check Safari → Settings → Websites → Camera. In Chrome, click the camera icon in the address bar and allow the site.
• Camera choice. Open the app's video settings and pick the camera you want. Apps can default to an iPhone, an external webcam, or a virtual camera.
• Another app holds the camera. Close other video apps and meeting tabs, then reload the meeting.

For Google Meet specifically, see Google Meet camera not working.

If an external webcam isn't detected

• Make sure it's connected and, if it has a power switch or privacy shutter, that it's on and open.
• Try a different USB port or cable, and connect it directly to the Mac instead of through a hub.
• Check whether the webcam's own software is running and holding the camera.
• Restart the Mac with the webcam connected.

If you use an iPhone as a webcam, Continuity Camera has its own checklist for when the iPhone doesn't appear.

If a camera app is in the way

Camera apps such as Xamera create an extra camera that video apps can choose. If an app shows the wrong picture, open its camera settings and choose the camera you want. If you meant to use Xamera and it's missing from the camera list, follow the Xamera installation guide.

Once your camera works

Most "bad camera" problems after that are about light and settings, not hardware. Mac camera settings explains what you can adjust and where. If you want softer skin or small touch-ups in video calls, Xamera Face Studio has separate controls for skin, teeth, face shape, eyes, nose, and lips on Macs with Apple silicon. It needs a working camera, so it can't fix a broken one.

Before

After

Frequently asked questions

Why is my Mac camera not working?

Most often, another app is using it, the app doesn't have camera permission, or a Screen Time restriction blocks it. Test in Photo Booth, check System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera, then restart your Mac.

Why is my MacBook camera showing a black screen?

Check that no other app is using the camera and that the app has camera permission. If Photo Booth is also black after a restart, follow Apple's troubleshooting steps above or contact Apple Support.

How do I reset the camera on my Mac?

There's no separate camera reset. Restart your Mac. On an Intel-based Mac, Apple also suggests resetting the SMC.

Why does my camera work in FaceTime but not in Zoom or Chrome?

FaceTime has camera access automatically. Other apps need to be allowed in System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera, and websites need permission in the browser too.

How do I turn on the camera on my Mac?

There's no on/off switch. The camera turns on when an app uses it, such as Photo Booth or FaceTime, and the green light next to it lights up.