A Mac camera that is not working is usually caused by a blocked permission, an app using the camera, incorrect settings, or a temporary software problem. Start by checking the camera in another app, then review camera permissions, quit apps that may be using it, restart your Mac, and install available macOS updates. If the camera still does not work anywhere, the problem may be related to macOS or the camera hardware.
Quick Answer
Try these steps in order:
- Open Photo Booth to test the camera. 2. Check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera and allow access for the app you want to use. 3. Quit video-call, recording, and browser apps that may already be using the camera. 4. Restart the Mac. 5.
Check Whether the Camera Works in Another App
First, determine whether the problem affects the Mac camera itself or only one app.
- Press Command-Space to open Spotlight.
- Type Photo Booth, then press Return.
- Wait for the app to open and look for a live preview.
- If the preview appears, take a test photo.
If the camera works in Photo Booth, the hardware is probably functioning. The original app may have the wrong camera selected, lack permission, or be experiencing an app-specific problem.
If Photo Booth shows a black screen, an error, or no preview, continue with the system-level troubleshooting steps below. You can also test the camera in another trusted app, such as FaceTime, to see whether the behavior is consistent.
Check for a Physical Blockage
Inspect the camera area at the top of the MacBook display. Remove anything that could block the lens, including:
- A camera cover or privacy slider
- Tape or a removable sticker
- A thick screen protector
- A case that overlaps the display bezel
Apple warns that some camera covers can interfere with closing a MacBook and may damage the display. If you use a cover, remove it before closing the lid.
Clean the camera area gently with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. Do not spray cleaner directly onto the display or camera.
Allow the App to Use the Camera
macOS protects the camera with privacy permissions. An app cannot use it unless you approve access.
- Choose the Apple menu in the upper-left corner.
- Select System Settings.
- Click Privacy & Security in the sidebar.
- Select Camera.
- Turn on the switch next to the app that should use the camera.
- If macOS asks you to quit and reopen the app, do so.
Warning: Save any work in the affected app before quitting it. Unsaved changes may be lost.
If the app is not listed under Camera, open the app and try to start a video call or recording. macOS may ask for permission when the app first requests camera access. Choose Allow if you trust the app.
Check Microphone Permission Too
Video-call apps commonly need microphone access in addition to camera access.
- Open System Settings > Privacy & Security.
- Select Microphone.
- Turn on access for the affected app.
- Quit and reopen the app.
Microphone permission does not control the camera, but denying it can make a video-call setup appear incomplete or prevent the call from starting correctly.
Quit Apps That May Be Using the Camera
Only one app may be able to use the camera at a time, or another app may keep control of it in the background. Quit apps that commonly use video, including:
- FaceTime
- Photo Booth
- Zoom
- Microsoft Teams
- Google Meet in a browser
- Webex
- Slack
- Discord
- Camera or recording utilities
To quit an app normally:
- Click the app’s name in the menu bar.
- Choose Quit [App Name].
- Repeat for other video or browser apps.
- Reopen only the app you want to test.
If an app does not respond:
- Choose the Apple menu.
- Select Force Quit.
- Select the unresponsive app.
- Click Force Quit.
Warning: Force quitting closes the app immediately and can discard unsaved work.
Also close browser tabs that use video meetings. If you use Safari, check the website’s permission:
- Open the website.
- Choose Safari > Settings for This Website from the menu bar.
- Set Camera to Ask or Allow, as appropriate.
- Reload the webpage.
Other browsers have similar site-permission controls, usually near the website address or in the browser’s privacy settings.
Restart Your Mac
A restart can clear a temporary camera or app process that is not responding correctly.
- Save your work and close open apps.
- Choose the Apple menu.
- Click Restart.
- Confirm if macOS asks.
- After the Mac starts again, open Photo Booth or the affected app.
Warning: Restarting closes open apps. Save documents first to avoid losing unsaved work.
If the Mac is frozen and cannot restart normally, press and hold the power button until it turns off. Use this only when the normal restart command does not work, because an interrupted shutdown can cause unsaved data to be lost.
Check the App’s Camera Settings
An app may be using a different camera, especially when an iPhone, external webcam, display, or capture device is connected.
Open the app’s settings or preferences and look for a section named Video, Camera, or Devices. Select the Mac’s built-in camera if it is available. The exact name may vary by Mac model and app.
In a video-call app, also check:
- Whether video is turned on
- Whether the camera preview is visible
- Whether the call is using the correct account
- Whether another meeting or recording is already active
- Whether the app is muted or has disabled video
If you connect an external webcam, disconnect it temporarily and test the built-in camera again. This helps identify whether the external device or its software is interfering.
Disconnect External Displays and Accessories
External hardware can change camera, audio, or video behavior. Disconnect accessories temporarily, then test the camera with only the Mac connected to power.
Remove or unplug:
- External displays
- USB hubs and docks
- External webcams
- Capture cards
- KVM switches
- Adapters and unfamiliar USB devices
If the camera works after disconnecting a dock or hub, reconnect devices one at a time to identify the source. A faulty cable, insufficient power, or outdated dock software can cause problems that look like a camera failure.
If the display itself is flickering or behaving incorrectly, troubleshoot that issue separately with this guide to fix an external display that keeps flickering on a Mac.
Install macOS and App Updates
An outdated app or macOS installation may contain a camera-related bug or compatibility problem.
Update macOS
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
- Click General.
- Select Software Update.
- Install any available update.
- Restart the Mac if requested.
Warning: Save your work before installing an update. The Mac may restart, and the installation can take time.
Update the App
Update the affected video-call or browser app using its built-in update option, the App Store, or the developer’s official website. After updating, quit and reopen the app, then check its camera permission again.
Avoid installing unofficial camera drivers or utilities unless you understand why they are required and obtained them from a trustworthy source. Such software can add another layer of permissions and may interfere with the built-in camera.
Test the Camera in a New User Account
A damaged preference file or account-specific permission can prevent the camera from working for one user while it works normally for another.
To create a temporary account:
- Open Apple menu > System Settings.
- Click Users & Groups.
- Click Add Account.
- Authenticate if requested.
- Create a temporary standard user account.
- Sign out of your current account.
- Sign in to the new account.
- Open Photo Booth and test the camera.
Warning: Record any account details you create, and delete the temporary account afterward if you no longer need it.
If the camera works in the new account, the issue is probably limited to the original account’s permissions, app settings, or preference files. If it fails in both accounts, a system-wide software or hardware problem is more likely.
Check Screen Time and Security Restrictions
Screen Time restrictions or security software can prevent camera access.
Open System Settings > Screen Time and review restrictions for the affected user. If the Mac is managed by an employer or school, an administrator may control camera access through a configuration profile. In that case, you may not be able to change the setting yourself.
Also check third-party antivirus, privacy, or parental-control software. These tools may include camera-blocking features. Temporarily review their settings rather than removing the software immediately.
Run Apple Diagnostics
Apple Diagnostics can help identify hardware problems. The steps depend on whether the Mac has Apple silicon or an Intel processor.
Mac with Apple silicon
- Shut down the Mac.
- Press and hold the power button.
- Release it when startup options appear.
- Continue holding as needed until the Mac enters diagnostics, or select the available diagnostics option.
- Follow the onscreen instructions.
Intel-based Mac
- Shut down the Mac.
- Turn it on and immediately press and hold the D key.
- Release the key when diagnostics begins.
- Follow the onscreen instructions.
The onscreen process may provide a reference code. Write it down before contacting Apple or an authorized service provider. Apple Diagnostics may not identify every camera problem, so a result without an error code does not guarantee that the hardware is working perfectly.
When to Get Professional Service
Contact Apple Support or an Apple Authorized Service Provider if:
- The camera fails in Photo Booth, FaceTime, and other apps
- Camera permission is enabled but no app detects it
- The camera stopped working after liquid exposure, a drop, or display repair
- The display or camera area is physically damaged
- Apple Diagnostics reports a hardware-related code
- The Mac becomes unusually hot or unstable when an app tries to use the camera
Before service, back up important files. If possible, note which apps you tested, whether the camera worked in another user account, and any diagnostic code you received. This information can make troubleshooting faster.
Troubleshooting Common Mac Camera Problems
The camera works in Photo Booth but not Zoom or Teams
Check the affected app’s camera selection and macOS permission. Quit the app completely, verify System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera, then reopen the app. If the app runs in a browser, check the website’s camera permission too.
The camera light turns on, but the preview is black
Quit other camera apps, disconnect external video devices, and restart the Mac. A black preview can also result from a physical cover, an incorrect camera selected in the app, or a privacy utility blocking video.
The app says that no camera is connected
Test Photo Booth. If it also cannot detect a camera, restart the Mac and disconnect accessories. If the issue continues in multiple user accounts, run Apple Diagnostics and arrange service if necessary.
The camera is blurry or the image is too dark
Clean the lens area with a dry, soft cloth and improve the lighting in front of you. Avoid bright windows directly behind you. If only one app has a poor image, adjust its video settings or update it.
The camera works after restarting, then stops again
This often points to an app conflict, background utility, outdated software, or a failing accessory. Note which apps and devices are open when the problem returns. Disconnect accessories and quit background video tools to narrow down the cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn on the camera on a Mac?
Open an app that uses video, such as Photo Booth or FaceTime. macOS activates the camera when the app requests access. If the app cannot use it, check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera.
How do I reset my Mac camera?
There is no general camera reset button in macOS. Quit camera-using apps, restart the Mac, check permissions, and install updates. These steps reset many temporary software problems without deleting files.
Why does my Mac say there is no connected camera?
The app may lack permission, another app may be using the camera, an accessory may be interfering, or the camera may have a hardware problem. Test Photo Booth, restart the Mac, and disconnect external devices.
Can I use my iPhone as a Mac camera?
Some Apple features and third-party apps can use an iPhone as a camera. Availability depends on the Mac, iPhone, software, and settings. If you use an iPhone camera, select it in the video app’s camera settings and make sure both devices meet the feature’s requirements.
Will resetting camera permissions delete my files?
Changing camera permission does not delete personal files. However, quitting an app, restarting, or installing updates can close apps, so save your work first.
Final Thoughts
Start by testing the camera in Photo Booth, then check macOS camera permissions, quit competing apps, and restart the Mac.