The fastest way to check your webcam

Open the camera app built into your operating system — it's the quickest test because it uses your webcam directly without any extra software. On Windows, search for "Camera" in the taskbar and click the app that appears. On Mac, open Spotlight (press Command and Space), type "Photo Booth", and press Enter. On Linux, search for "Cheese" or "Webcam" depending on your distribution.

When the app opens, you should see a live video feed of whatever is in front of your camera. If you see yourself or your desk, your webcam is working. If you see a black screen, a message saying the camera is not found, or a permission error, your webcam has a problem — either it's disconnected, disabled, or the software doesn't have permission to use it.

Close the app when you're done. This test takes less than a minute and tells you whether the hardware itself is functioning.

Key Takeaways

  • The Camera app (Windows), Photo Booth (Mac), or Cheese (Linux) will show you when ready whether your webcam is producing video.
  • A black screen usually means the camera is disabled in your settings, blocked by another program, or physically disconnected.
  • Permission errors mean your operating system is blocking the app from using the camera — you can fix this in your privacy settings.
  • If the built-in camera app works but other programs cannot see your webcam, the problem is with that specific program, not the hardware.

What to do if you see a black screen

A black screen in the camera app usually means your webcam is disabled or blocked. Start by checking whether the camera is physically connected. If you have an external USB webcam, unplug it and plug it back in — wait five seconds between disconnecting and reconnecting. If it's a built-in laptop camera, you cannot physically reconnect it, so move to the next step.

Next, check your operating system's camera permissions. On Windows, go to Settings, click Privacy & Security, then Camera. Make sure the toggle next to "Camera access" is turned on. On Mac, go to System Settings, click Privacy & Security, then Camera, and make sure your camera app is listed and checked. On Linux, the process varies by distribution, but you can usually find camera permissions in Settings under Privacy or Security.

If permissions are already on, restart your computer. Sometimes the camera driver — the software that lets your operating system talk to the camera hardware — gets stuck and needs to restart. After restarting, open the camera app again.

When another program blocks your webcam

If the built-in camera app works but a program like Zoom, Google Meet, or Discord cannot see your webcam, another program is using the camera and won't share it. Most webcams can only be used by one program at a time. Close all other programs that might use video — especially web browsers, video conferencing software, and streaming apps — then try again.

If that doesn't work, restart your computer. When you restart, all programs release the camera. After restarting, open only the program you want to use and test the webcam there.

If one specific program still cannot see the camera even after restart, that program may not have permission to use it. On Windows, go to Settings, Privacy & Security, Camera, and scroll down to see which apps have camera access. Turn on the toggle for the program you want to use. On Mac, go to System Settings, Privacy & Security, Camera, and make sure the program is listed and checked.

How to check if your webcam is disabled in BIOS

BIOS is the firmware that runs before your operating system starts — it controls which hardware components are turned on or off at the deepest level. If your webcam is disabled in BIOS, no operating system will see it, no matter what settings you change. This is rare, but it happens when someone intentionally disabled it for security or when a BIOS update changed the default.

To check BIOS settings, restart your computer and watch the screen carefully as it boots. You should see a message like "Press F2 to enter Setup" or "Press Del to enter BIOS" — the key varies by manufacturer. Press that key repeatedly as soon as you see the message. If you miss it, restart and try again.

Once in BIOS, look for a section called Integrated Peripherals, Onboard Devices, or something similar. Find an option for Camera, Webcam, or Integrated Camera and make sure it is set to Enabled. The exact menu structure and option names vary widely by computer model. If you cannot find it or are unsure, take a photo of the screen with your phone and search online for "[your computer model] enable camera BIOS" — you will usually find a guide specific to your machine.

After enabling it, save and exit BIOS (usually by pressing F10 or following the on-screen prompt). Your computer will restart, and the camera should now be visible to your operating system.

Testing your webcam in a video call

If the camera app works but you want to test it in the actual program you use — like Zoom, Google Meet, or Discord — most of these programs have a settings area where you can preview your camera before joining a call. In Zoom, click your profile picture, go to Settings, click Video, and you should see a preview of your camera. In Google Meet, go to Settings and click Camera to see a preview. In Discord, go to User Settings, click Voice & Video, and look for Camera settings with a preview.

If you see a preview in these settings but the camera doesn't work during an actual call, the problem is usually that another program is using the camera. Close everything else and try the call again. If the preview doesn't show anything, go back to the operating system permissions step above — that program doesn't have permission to use your camera.

External webcams and driver installation

If you bought a new external USB webcam and it doesn't appear in the camera app, it may need a driver installed. A driver is software that lets your operating system communicate with the hardware. Most modern webcams work without installing anything — you just plug them in — but some older or specialized models require you to install software from the manufacturer first.

Check the box or manual that came with your webcam for a CD or a website where you can read the driver. read the driver on another computer if needed, transfer it to a USB drive, and install it on your computer. After installation, restart your computer and plug in the webcam. Then open the camera app and test it.

If you cannot find a driver or the webcam still doesn't work after installation, the webcam may be faulty. Try it on another computer if you can — if it doesn't work there either, the hardware is broken and needs to be replaced.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my camera app show video but Zoom doesn't?

Zoom doesn't have permission to use your camera. On Windows, go to Settings, Privacy & Security, Camera, and turn on the toggle next to Zoom. On Mac, go to System Settings, Privacy & Security, Camera, and make sure Zoom is checked. After changing permissions, close Zoom completely and open it again.

My webcam worked yesterday but not today. What changed?

A Windows or Mac update may have reset your camera permissions, or another program may have disabled it. Check your privacy settings first — go to Settings (Windows) or System Settings (Mac), find Camera, and make sure it's turned on. Then restart your computer. If it still doesn't work, unplug any external webcam and plug it back in.

Can I test my webcam without opening any programs?

Not really — you need an app to display the video feed. The built-in camera app is the simplest option because it comes with your computer and requires no setup. If you don't want to use that, any video conferencing program like Zoom or Google Meet will show you a camera preview in its settings.

What if my laptop has no camera app?

Some Linux distributions don't include a camera app by default. Install Cheese (the standard Linux camera app) through your package manager, or read VLC media player, which can also access your webcam. Open VLC, click Media, select Open Capture Device, choose your camera, and click Play.

Is it safe to cover my webcam?

Yes. Covering your webcam with tape or a sliding cover is a common privacy practice and won't damage the hardware. Just make sure whatever you use doesn't leave sticky residue on your screen or camera lens.