Webcam Troubleshooting

Confirm the symptoms, scope, and reproducibility of the problem. 

Is this a webcam performance/quality issue or is the device missing completely? 

Is the problem limited to Zoom or every app that accesses the camera?

Top Tips:

• Check the camera privacy cover. Slide the camera cover fully closed, then open again.
• Test the webcam with a different app:
  • Windows: Zoom, Skype, Camera
  • Mac: Zoom, Photo Booth, FaceTime
• Check for software driver updates and restart the computer. 

Windows 

• Generic tips
  1. Check the camera privacy cover.
  2. Check Privacy Settings:
     • Settings  > Privacy  > Camera
       • In 'Allow access to the camera on this device,' if Camera access for this device is turned off, select Change and turn on Camera access for this device. 
       • Turn on camera access for the apps you want.
     • Check Windows Device Manager. Is the camera listed or missing? 
  3. Microsoft KB: Camera Does Not Work in Windows 10/11
• Lenovo
  1. Check the camera privacy cover.
  2. Run Lenovo System Update and install the latest device drivers/update BIOS
  3. Run Lenovo System Diagnostic
• Dell
  1. Check the camera privacy cover.
  2. If the camera is missing from Device Manager, restart and check BIOS Setup (F2) and enable the camera:
     • Settings>System Configuration>Miscellaneous Devices>Enable Camera

Mac

1. Check Privacy Settings
   • Choose Apple menu  > System Preferences, then click Security & Privacy.
   • Click the Privacy tab, then click Camera in the sidebar.
   • Select the checkbox next to the apps that you want to use your camera in. You may be prompted to quit and reopen an app before it can use your camera.
2. Check for Apple Software Updates​​​​​​.
3. Apple KB: If your built-in camera isn’t working on your Mac