Likely fix
Fix: Camera works in one app but not another
If the camera works in one app but not another, the webcam hardware is probably fine. The broken app likely has a permission, camera selection, or app-specific setting issue.
Quick answer
Open the broken app's video settings, select the correct camera, check app permission, then restart the app.
Important warning
Many video apps ignore the system default camera and remember their own camera choice.
Try this
- 1 Confirm the camera works in another app.
- 2 Open video or device settings in the app that fails.
- 3 Select the correct camera.
- 4 Check system camera permissions for that app.
- 5 Close other apps that may be using the camera.
- 6 Quit and reopen the app.
- 7 Update the app.
- 8 Reinstall the app if permissions and settings look correct.
Common causes
Wrong camera selected inside the app.
App permission denied.
Another app is using the camera.
App needs restart after permission change.
Old camera device is still selected.
App video setting is disabled.
What to check next
- Check the app's camera selector.
- Check system permissions.
- Check whether another app is using the camera.
- Check whether the app needs updating.
- Check whether reinstalling resets camera settings.