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 Zoom settings. Go to Zoom video settings.
- The preview is black or fails — the issue is system-level (permission, driver or another app holding the camera), not Zoom. See System-level fixes.
Step 2: Fix Zoom video settings
Open the ^ arrow next to Stop Video → Video Settings, then:
- Start Video. Click Start Video (bottom-left); if it shows Start Video your camera is off.
- Pick the right Camera. Click the ^ arrow next to Stop Video → Video Settings and set Camera to the device that showed a preview above.
- Close rival apps. Most webcams allow one app at a time — quit Teams, Skype or OBS and restart Zoom.
Zoom-specific gotchas worth checking
Zoom's most common camera-only issue is HD vs the wrong device: open Video Settings and confirm the Camera dropdown points to your real webcam, not an OBS Virtual Camera or a vendor utility. Zoom also offers Touch up my appearance, low-light and virtual-background processing — if your feed is laggy, dark or green-screened oddly, turn those off to isolate the camera from the effects.
The error "Zoom cannot detect a camera" or a black tile usually means another app already holds the webcam (most webcams allow only one app at a time) — quit Teams, Skype or OBS and click Start Video again. The slashed Start Video button means your camera is simply off, not broken.
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 Zoom (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 Zoom 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 Zoom — why?
The camera is fine; Zoom has the wrong Camera selected, the camera is turned off, or another app is holding it. Open the ^ arrow next to Stop Video → Video Settings and pick the right device.
Does this Zoom 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 Zoom camera black?
Another app is usually holding the webcam, or Zoom has the wrong camera selected. Close other video apps, pick the right Camera, and reload.