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 Webex settings. Go to Webex video settings.
- The preview is black or fails — the issue is system-level (permission, driver or another app holding the camera), not Webex. See System-level fixes.
Step 2: Fix Webex video settings
Open Video settings (▾ next to Stop Video), then:
- Start your video. Click Start Video so the camera is on.
- Pick the right Camera. Open the ▾ next to Stop Video → Video settings and set the Camera to the device that previewed above.
- Close rival apps. Quit other video apps holding the webcam and reopen Webex.
Webex-specific gotchas worth checking
Webex previews your camera before you join and under the ▾ next to Stop Video → Video settings; pick your real webcam there, not a virtual camera. Webex applies background blur and virtual backgrounds that can freeze or black out a weak feed — turn them off to test the raw camera.
The Webex desktop app and the web app keep separate camera selections, and the desktop app needs the OS camera permission (macOS: allow Webex under Privacy & Security → Camera, then relaunch). If the preview is black, close any other app holding the webcam, since most cameras serve only one program at a time.
Step 3: System-level fixes (if the preview above also failed)
Windows 10 / 11
- Settings → Privacy & security → Camera: turn on camera access and allow desktop apps and your browser.
- Device Manager → Cameras: if there is a warning icon, update or reinstall the driver.
- Close every other app that may be using the camera — most webcams allow only one at a time.
macOS
- System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera: enable Webex (or your browser), then quit and reopen.
- 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 Webex and your webcam/USB drivers, then reboot.
- Try a different USB port for an external camera.
FAQ
My camera previews in this test but not in Webex — why?
The camera is fine; Webex has the wrong Camera selected, the camera is turned off, or another app is holding it. Open Video settings (▾ next to Stop Video) and pick the right device.
Does this Webex camera test record video?
No. The preview and any snapshot stay only in your browser. No video or photo is recorded or uploaded.
Why is my Webex camera black?
Another app is usually holding the webcam, or Webex has the wrong camera selected. Close other video apps, pick the right Camera, and reload.