If your Mac camera is not working, first make sure the correct camera is selected, close other apps that may be using it, and check camera permissions in System Settings. If that does not help, restart the app and your Mac, install available macOS updates, and test the camera in another app. Persistent problems may be caused by Screen Time restrictions, an external webcam, a software conflict, or hardware failure.
Quick Answer
Try these fixes in order:
- Check whether the problem affects one app or every app.
- Make sure the correct camera is selected.
- Close apps that might already be using the camera.
- Allow camera access in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera.
- Check Screen Time restrictions.
- Quit and reopen the affected app, then restart your Mac.
- Install available macOS updates.
- Test the camera in another app and, if necessary, in Safe Mode.
- If the camera remains unavailable everywhere, contact Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider.
Before troubleshooting, save your work. Several steps close apps or restart your Mac, which can cause unsaved changes to be lost.
Check Whether the Problem Affects One App or Every App
Start by determining whether the problem is limited to a particular app.
Open a different app that can use a camera, such as Photo Booth or FaceTime, and test it:
- Open Photo Booth from Applications or by using Spotlight.
- Wait a few seconds for the camera preview to appear.
- If Photo Booth works, the camera itself may be fine. The original app may have incorrect permissions, a camera-selection problem, or a software issue.
- If Photo Booth also cannot access the camera, continue with the system-wide checks below.
A browser-based video call may also fail because of website permissions, even when the camera works correctly in a Mac app. If the problem occurs only on one website, check that website’s camera permission in the browser.
Make Sure the Correct Camera Is Selected
A Mac can have more than one available camera, including a built-in camera, an iPhone used as a camera, a display camera, or an external webcam. An app may be using the wrong device or may not have switched to the camera you expect.
Look for a camera-selection control in the app. Common locations include:
- A camera menu in the app’s video settings
- A menu labeled Video, Camera, or Settings
- A control in the video-call window
- The app’s preferences or settings
Select the built-in camera if you want to use your MacBook’s camera. If you use an external webcam, select its name instead.
If the camera does not appear in the app’s list:
- Disconnect the external webcam.
- Quit and reopen the app.
- Reconnect the webcam directly to the Mac, if possible.
- Avoid using a hub or adapter temporarily, because a faulty connection can prevent the camera from being detected.
- Try another USB port or cable if the webcam uses a removable cable.
For a built-in camera, there may be no separate camera-selection menu. Continue with the permission and software checks.
Check the Camera Indicator
Mac computers with a built-in camera have a green indicator next to the camera. When the indicator is lit, an app is using the camera.
The indicator can help you understand what is happening:
- The green indicator turns on: The Mac is detecting camera access, even if the preview is black or frozen.
- The indicator never turns on: The app may not have permission, may be using another camera, or may not be detecting the camera.
- The indicator remains on after you close the app: Another app may still be using the camera. Quit other video, meeting, messaging, and browser apps, then check again.
Do not cover the camera indicator to hide it. It is a safety feature that shows when the built-in camera is active.
Allow Camera Access in System Settings
macOS requires apps to request permission before using the camera. If permission was denied, the app may show a black preview, report that the camera is unavailable, or fail to display a camera at all.
To check camera permission:
- Open the Apple menu in the upper-left corner.
- Select System Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security in the sidebar.
- Select Camera.
- Turn on the switch beside the affected app.
- Quit and reopen the app.
You may need to authenticate with your Mac password or use Touch ID before changing a setting.
If the app is not listed under Camera, open the app and try to use its camera again. macOS normally adds an app to the permission list when it requests access. If it still does not appear, update the app or contact the app developer for instructions.
Check Microphone Permission Separately
Video-call apps often need both camera and microphone access. If the camera works but other people cannot hear you, check microphone permission:
- Open System Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security.
- Select Microphone.
- Turn on access for the affected app.
Camera and microphone permissions are separate, so allowing one does not automatically allow the other.
Check Screen Time Restrictions
Screen Time can restrict camera access or prevent certain apps from being used. This is especially important on a Mac managed by a parent, school, or organization.
To check Screen Time:
- Open the Apple menu and select System Settings.
- Select Screen Time.
- If multiple users are shown, choose the affected user.
- Review Content & Privacy and App Limits settings.
- Make sure the camera or the app you need is not restricted.
The exact controls can vary depending on how Screen Time is configured. If Screen Time is protected by a passcode, you need that passcode to change the settings. On a work or school Mac, an administrator may control these restrictions, and you may not be able to change them yourself.
Quit and Reopen the App
An app can become stuck while connecting to the camera. Closing its window may not be enough if the app continues running in the background.
First save your work. Then:
- Select the app in the Dock.
- Press Command-Q, or choose the app’s name in the menu bar and select Quit.
- If the app does not quit, press Option-Command-Escape.
- Select the app in the Force Quit Applications window.
- Select Force Quit.
- Reopen the app and test the camera.
Warning: Force quitting can discard unsaved work in that app.
Also quit other apps that may use the camera, including video-conferencing apps, messaging apps, web browsers, screen-recording tools, and virtual-camera software. If you are unsure which app is using the camera, quit all unnecessary apps and reopen only the one you need.
Restart Your Mac
Restarting closes running processes and reloads macOS camera services. It is one of the simplest ways to fix a temporary camera problem.
- Save your work and close your apps.
- Select the Apple menu.
- Select Restart.
- Confirm the restart if macOS asks.
- After you sign in, open the affected app and test the camera.
Warning: Restarting closes apps. Save documents, downloads, and other work first.
If the Mac is frozen and does not respond, hold the power button until it turns off, then press the power button again to start it. Use this only when a normal restart is not possible, because a forced shutdown can result in lost unsaved work.
Install Available macOS Updates
A macOS update may include fixes for camera drivers, app compatibility, or security permissions. To check for updates:
- Open the Apple menu.
- Select System Settings.
- Select General.
- Select Software Update.
- If an update is available, follow the onscreen instructions.
Save your work before installing an update. The Mac may restart, and the installation may take some time.
You should also update the affected app through its normal update method. App developers may release updates that fix camera access or compatibility problems.
Test an External Webcam
If you use an external webcam, check both its physical connection and its software compatibility.
- Disconnect the webcam.
- Restart the Mac.
- Connect the webcam directly to the Mac.
- Open Photo Booth or another camera app.
- Select the external webcam in the app’s camera settings.
- If possible, test the webcam on another computer.
If the camera works when connected directly but not through a hub, adapter, or dock, the accessory or its connection may be the problem. Make sure the webcam’s cable is firmly connected and try a different cable or port if available.
If the webcam requires a manufacturer-provided app or driver, install the current version from the manufacturer’s official website. Do not install software from an untrusted download site.
Test the Camera in Safe Mode
Safe Mode starts macOS with a limited set of software. It can help identify whether a login item, extension, or other background software is interfering with the camera.
The startup procedure depends on whether your Mac has an Apple silicon chip or an Intel processor.
Start a Mac with Apple silicon in Safe Mode
- Select Shut Down from the Apple menu.
- Wait until the Mac is completely off.
- Press and hold the power button until startup options appear.
- Select a startup volume.
- Hold the Shift key, then select Continue in Safe Mode.
- Sign in and test the camera.
Start an Intel-based Mac in Safe Mode
- Select Shut Down from the Apple menu.
- Turn on the Mac.
- Immediately press and hold the Shift key.
- Release the key when the login window appears.
- Sign in and test the camera.
You may need to sign in twice. Some features and software may not work normally in Safe Mode, so use it only as a diagnostic test.
If the camera works in Safe Mode but not during a normal startup, investigate login items and third-party software:
- Open System Settings.
- Select General.
- Select Login Items & Extensions.
- Review apps that open at login and background activity.
- Temporarily disable nonessential items, then restart and test again.
Disable only items you recognize. Some background services are required by installed hardware or software.
When the Camera May Have a Hardware Problem
Software troubleshooting cannot repair a damaged camera, display assembly, cable, or USB webcam. Hardware failure becomes more likely when:
- The built-in camera fails in every camera app.
- The camera never appears as an available device.
- The green camera indicator does not turn on when an app requests access.
- The camera stopped working after liquid exposure, a drop, or physical damage.
- An external webcam fails on multiple computers.
- The camera works intermittently when the display is moved.
If the built-in camera remains unavailable after permissions, restarts, updates, and Safe Mode testing, contact Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider. Explain which apps you tested and whether the camera appears in any camera-selection menu.
Do not remove the display or open the Mac unless you have the appropriate repair experience. Built-in camera components can be integrated into the display assembly, and opening the computer may cause additional damage.
Troubleshooting
The camera works in Photo Booth but not in FaceTime
Check that FaceTime has camera permission in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera. Then quit and reopen FaceTime. If more than one camera is available, choose the intended camera in FaceTime’s video controls.
The camera works in one app but not in a browser
Check the website’s camera permission in the browser. Also check the browser’s access in System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera. Reload the webpage after changing permission.
The camera preview is black
Confirm that the correct camera is selected and that the lens is not covered. Quit other camera-using apps, then restart the affected app. If the green indicator is on but the image stays black in multiple apps, restart the Mac and test in Safe Mode.
The app says that no camera is available
Check camera permission, Screen Time restrictions, and external connections. For an external webcam, reconnect it directly to the Mac and try another port or cable.
The camera works, but the image is blurry
Clean the camera lens gently with a soft, lint-free cloth. Remove any protective film or cover over the camera. Improve the lighting and check whether the problem occurs in multiple apps.
The camera stopped working after installing software
Quit or temporarily disable camera utilities, virtual-camera software, security tools, and recently installed background apps. Use System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions to review software that launches automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn on the camera on a Mac?
Open an app that uses the camera, such as Photo Booth or FaceTime. The camera turns on when the app has permission and requests access. On a Mac with a built-in camera, the green indicator lights while the camera is active.
Why is my MacBook camera unavailable?
The camera may be unavailable because the app lacks permission, another app is using it, Screen Time restricts access, macOS or the app needs an update, or the camera is not being detected. Test it in another app to determine whether the problem is app-specific.
How can I tell which app is using my Mac camera?
The green indicator beside the built-in camera shows that the camera is active. Quit video-call apps, browsers, messaging apps, and other camera-related software until the indicator turns off. Then reopen only the app you want to use.
Can I reset the Mac camera?
There is not usually a single user-facing reset button for the built-in camera. Restarting the Mac, checking permissions, updating macOS, and testing in Safe Mode are the practical reset and diagnostic steps. Avoid downloading unofficial “camera reset” utilities.
Will resetting camera permissions delete my photos or documents?
Changing camera permission does not delete your photos or documents. It only changes whether a particular app can access the camera. However, save your work before quitting or restarting an app during troubleshooting.
Does an external webcam need special software?
Many external webcams work with standard macOS camera support, while some models require manufacturer software or drivers. Check the webcam maker’s official documentation if the device is not detected or its advanced features do not work.
Final Thoughts
When a Mac camera is not working, begin with the simplest checks: select the right camera, close other camera-using apps, and confirm permissions. Then check Screen Time, restart the app and Mac, install updates, and test in another app or Safe Mode. If the built-in camera remains unavailable everywhere—or an external webcam fails on multiple computers—the problem may be hardware-related and should be evaluated by Apple or a qualified service provider.