4 Simple Ways to Test a Webcam using Windows or Mac

Quickly check if your camera is working on Windows or macOS

Do you need to test your webcam before an important meeting or call? Luckily, you can test a webcam in a few simple steps, whether you have a Windows or Mac computer. You can use a webcam checker website to quickly check your webcam status, or you can use the built-in camera application on your device. This wikiHow will show you how to find out if your internal or external webcam is working in Windows or macOS.

Things You Should Know

  • Open https://webcammictest.com/ in a browser and click "Test Webcam".
  • On Windows, open the Camera app. If your webcam is working, you'll see the camera feed.
  • On Mac, open the Photo Booth app. You'll see the camera feed if your webcam is working.
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using Your Web Browser

  1. Image titled Test a Webcam on PC or Mac Step 1
    1
    Go to https://webcammictest.com/ in a web browser. You can use Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, or another browser.
    • This method works for Windows and Mac.
  2. Image titled Test a Webcam on PC or Mac Step 2
    2
    Click Test Webcam. It's the blue button in the middle of the page.
    • You can toggle on Autostart next time to quickly test your webcam in your next visit.
    • A pop-up window will open.
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  3. Image titled Test a Webcam on PC or Mac Step 3
    3
    Click Allow. This grants the website permission to access your webcam.
    • If you have more than one webcam, be sure to select the proper device in the drop-down menu.
  4. Image titled Test a Webcam on PC or Mac Step 4
    4
    Check the camera feed. If your webcam is working, you should see the camera feed in the middle of the web page.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Using Windows

  1. Image titled Test a Webcam on PC or Mac Step 1
    1
    Click the
    Windows Start
    menu.     It’s usually at the bottom-left corner of the screen.
  2. Image titled Test a Webcam on PC or Mac Step 6
    2
    Click Camera. You can find this in your list of apps, underneath C.[1]
    • You can also type Camera directly into the Start menu. Camera will be underneath Best match.
  3. Image titled Test a Webcam on PC or Mac Step 7
    3
    Check your camera. Your webcam should turn on automatically. If you see your webcam's image, it is working properly.
    • If this is your first time using the Camera app, you may have to grant permission for the app to run.
    • You can now take a photo from your laptop.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Using MacOS

  1. Image titled Test a Webcam on PC or Mac Step 8
    1
    Open the Finder
    Mac Finder
    .     It's the icon that resembles a blue and white smiley face. You can find this in the Dock at the bottom of your desktop.
  2. Image titled Test a Webcam on PC or Mac Step 9
    2
    Click Applications. It's in the menu bar to the left in the Finder.
  3. Image titled Test a Webcam on PC or Mac Step 10
    3
    Double-click Photo Booth. This looks like a camera lens in front of a red icon. Photo Booth will automatically open to your webcam. If you can see your webcam's image, it is working properly.[2]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Troubleshooting Your Webcam

  1. Image titled Test a Webcam on PC or Mac Step 11
    1
    Check the condition of your webcam. Locate your webcam. It's usually above your monitor in the middle. Make sure there is no debris or anything else that is blocking it.
    • Some laptops have a built-in webcam cover. Ensure the webcam is not covered.
    • If you have an external webcam, check the cord and make sure it isn't frayed or worn.
  2. Image titled Test a Webcam on PC or Mac Step 12
    2
    Check the USB port the webcam is connected to (external webcams only). If you have an external webcam, make sure it's plugged properly into a USB port.
    • Try using a different USB port on your computer.
  3. Image titled Test a Webcam on PC or Mac Step 13
    3
    Check that your webcam is enabled (Windows only). The Windows Settings menu allows you to enable and disable your webcam, both in general and on various apps. Use the following steps to check that your webcam is enabled.
    • Click the Windows Start menu.
    • Click the Gear/Settings menu.
    • Click Privacy.
    • Click Camera in the panel to the left.
    • Click Change below "Camera access for this device is off".
    • Ensure the toggle switch is turned on.
    • Ensure the toggle switch below "Allow apps to access your camera" is on.
    • Scroll down and ensure the toggle switch for each app you want to access your webcam is on.
  4. Image titled Test a Webcam on PC or Mac Step 14
    4
    Check that your webcam is enabled in Device Manager (Windows Only). Use the following steps to make sure your webcam is enabled in the device manager:
    • Right-click the Windows Start menu.
    • Click Device Manager.
    • Double-click Cameras or Imaging Devices.
    • Right-click your webcam.
    • Click Enable Device.
  5. Image titled Test a Webcam on PC or Mac Step 15
    5
    Update your camera's drivers. You can also check to make sure your camera drivers are up-to-date in the Device Manager. Use the following steps to check to make sure your camera's drivers are up-to-date:
    • Right-click the Windows Start menu.
    • Click Device Manager.
    • Double-click Cameras or Imaging Devices.
    • Right-click your webcam.
    • Click Update Drivers.
  6. Image titled Test a Webcam on PC or Mac Step 16
    6
    Reset your Mac's system controller (Mac only). If your webcam is not working on your Mac, you may want to try to reset the system controller. Use the following steps to reset your Mac's system controller:[3]
    • Shut down your Mac.
    • Press and hold the left Shift + Control + Option buttons for 7 seconds.
    • Press and hold the Power button for 7 more seconds while still holding the keys down.
    • Release all keys and wait a few seconds.
    • Turn on your Mac.
  7. Image titled Test a Webcam on PC or Mac Step 17
    7
    Check the webcam settings in the app you want to use. If your webcam isn't working in a particular app, you may need to configure it for that app. This is especially true if you have more than one webcam. The webcam settings are going to be located in a different location on different applications.
    • In general, you can access the webcam settings by opening Settings → Preferences or Options → Video.[4]
  8. Image titled Test a Webcam on PC or Mac Step 18
    8
    Check that other apps aren't using your webcam. If one app is using your webcam, it won't be accessible to other apps. Be sure to close all other applications that use your webcam before opening a new app that needs to access your webcam.
  9. Image titled Test a Webcam on PC or Mac Step 19
    9
    Replace the webcam. If your webcam is not blocked, your drivers are up-to-date, it's plugged in securely, your webcam may be broken. You'll need to buy a new webcam and set it up. If you're using an older webcam, it may not be compatible with newer applications.
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References

  1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17444/windows-camera-app-webcams-help
  2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/photo-booth/take-a-photo-or-record-a-video-pbhlp3714a9d/13.0/mac/13.0
  3. ↑ https://setapp.com/how-to/fix-camera-on-mac-not-working
  4. ↑ https://www.howtogeek.com/394677/fix-my-webcam-doesn%E2%80%99t-work-on-windows-10/

About This Article

Rain Kengly
Written by:
Rain Kengly
wikiHow Technology Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Rain Kengly. Rain Kengly is a wikiHow Technology Writer. As a storytelling enthusiast with a penchant for technology, they hope to create long-lasting connections with readers from all around the globe. Rain graduated from San Francisco State University with a BA in Cinema. This article has been viewed 378,095 times.
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Co-authors: 5
Updated: December 16, 2022
Views: 378,095
Categories: Webcams
Article SummaryX

1. Go to https://webcammictest.com/ in a web browser.
2. Click Check Webcam.
3. Click Allow.

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