FaceTime Camera Test & “Camera Not Working” Fix

Step 1: Does your camera work at all?

Click Test my webcam above and allow access:

• You see yourself here — the camera and drivers are fine; the problem is in your FaceTime settings. Go to FaceTime video settings.
• The preview is black or fails — the issue is system-level (permission, driver or another app holding the camera), not FaceTime. See System-level fixes.

Step 2: Fix FaceTime video settings

Open FaceTime menu → Video, or System Settings → Privacy, then:

1. Pick the camera in FaceTime. In the FaceTime → Video menu choose the camera that previewed above.
2. Check the macOS permission. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera, allow FaceTime, then quit and reopen.
3. Restart if black. Restart the Mac to clear a camera process stuck by another app.

FaceTime-specific gotchas worth checking

On a Mac, FaceTime lets you switch cameras from the Video menu — with Continuity Camera, your iPhone often hijacks the slot, so explicitly pick the Mac's built-in or external camera there. FaceTime needs the Camera permission under Privacy & Security, and macOS applies it only after you quit (Cmd+Q) and reopen FaceTime.

On iPhone/iPad, FaceTime uses the front camera by default — tap the flip button if you are showing the wrong side, and check Screen Time → Content & Privacy hasn't disabled the Camera entirely. A black feed that persists after a relaunch usually clears with a device restart, which frees a camera process stuck by another app.

Step 3: System-level fixes (if the preview above also failed)

Windows 10 / 11

1. Settings → Privacy & security → Camera: turn on camera access and allow desktop apps and your browser.
2. Device Manager → Cameras: if there is a warning icon, update or reinstall the driver.
3. Close every other app that may be using the camera — most webcams allow only one at a time.

macOS

1. System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera: enable FaceTime (or your browser), then quit and reopen.
2. If the preview is still black, restart the Mac to clear a camera process stuck by another app.

Step 4: Last resorts

• Remove any physical privacy shutter or tape over the lens.
• Update FaceTime and your webcam/USB drivers, then reboot.
• Try a different USB port for an external camera.

FAQ