How to Check Webcams on PC or Mac

Check webcam status. Locate the webcam. The device is usually located at the top, center of the screen. You need to make sure that there is no debris or anything in the way of the webcam. Some laptops have a built-in webcam cover, see if the webcam is covered. If you’re using an external webcam, you’ll need to check if the connection cord is frayed or worn.

Check the USB port to which the external webcam connects. If using an external webcam, you need to check the USB port the device is connecting to. The webcam’s plug needs to be firmly plugged into the USB port. Try unplugging and plugging it back into another USB port to see if the webcam works.

Check that the webcam is turned on (Windows only). The Windows Settings menu allows us to turn on and off the webcam, both regular and various applications. The following steps will help you check if the webcam is enabled.

• Click the Windows Start menu.
• Click the Gear/Settings menu.
• Click Privacy .
• Click Camera in the left pane.
• Click Change below the “Camera access for this device is off” line.
• Check to make sure this switch is turned on.
• The switch under “Allow apps to access your camera” should also be enabled.
• Scroll down and check that the switch for each application that you want to access the webcam is turned on.

Check if the webcam is enabled in Device Manager (Windows only). The following steps will help you check in Device Manager if the webcam is enabled or not:

• Right-click the Windows Start menu.
• Click Device Manager .
• Double-click Cameras or Imaging Devices .
• Right click on the webcam.
• Click Enable Device .

Update the camera driver. You can also check in Device Manager to make sure the camera driver is up to date. Apply the following steps to check if the camera driver is up to date:

• Right-click the Windows Start menu.
• Click Device Manager .
• Double-click Cameras or Imaging Devices .
• Right click on the webcam.
• Click Update Drivers .

Reset Mac’s system controller (Mac only). If your Mac’s webcam isn’t working, you may need to reset the system controller. Follow these steps to reinstall the system controller on Mac: ^[3]

• Turn off your Mac.
• Hold down Shift (left) + Contrp + Option for 7 seconds.
• Still do not release your hand, at the same time continue to hold the power button for another 7 seconds.
• Release all keys and wait a few seconds.
• Turn on your Mac.

Check the webcam settings of the application you want to use. If the webcam is still not working in a particular application, you need to configure the webcam in that application. This is especially necessary if you use multiple webcams. The webcam settings are usually located in different locations depending on the application. In general, you can access webcam settings by opening the “Settings”, “Preferences” or “Options” menu, and then accessing the “Video” menu. ^[4]

Check to make sure other applications are not using the webcam. If an application is using the webcam, other applications will not be able to access it. You must close all applications that access the webcam before opening new applications that need to use the camera.