Likely fix
Fix: Webcam not working on Mac
A Mac webcam usually fails because app camera permission is denied, another app is using the camera, the wrong camera is selected, or the app needs restarting.
Quick answer
Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera, allow the app, quit and reopen the app, then check the app's video settings.
Important warning
On Mac, changing camera permission usually requires quitting and reopening the app before the camera works.
Try this
- 1 Check whether another app is already using the camera.
- 2 Quit video apps such as FaceTime, Zoom, Teams, Discord, or browser tabs.
- 3 Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera.
- 4 Allow camera access for the app you are using.
- 5 Quit and reopen the app after changing permission.
- 6 Open the app's video settings and select the correct camera.
- 7 Restart the Mac if the camera is still not detected.
- 8 If using an external webcam, unplug and reconnect it.
Common causes
Camera permission denied.
Another app is using the camera.
Wrong camera selected.
App needs restart after permission change.
Browser site permission blocked.
External webcam connection problem.
What to check next
- Check Privacy & Security camera permissions.
- Check whether FaceTime can use the camera.
- Check the app's selected camera.
- Check whether another app has the camera open.
- Check external webcam USB connection.