How to check if the webcam is working on a computer

How to test the webcam on a computer

Using a video calling app

The webcam can be tested through the program with which you are going to make video calls. For this you need to install communication app and go to its settings, in this case additional utilities are not needed.

As an example, we use Zoom as the most popular program for online negotiations. Proceed like this:

1. Install and launch Zoom, click on the profile icon in the upper right corner and go to "Settings".

2. Click the Video tab in the list on the left.

3. Next, select the video input source from the drop-down menu. This should be the webcam you are going to use for calls. If you specify the correct option, the image from it will be displayed on the screen. If the signal is not available, then the device is turned off or not detected in the system.

4. In the basic and advanced settings of the video signal, set the necessary parameters. Activate image enhancements and noise filtering if needed. In the "My Video" section, you can turn on a filter that corrects your appearance in the frame.

5. After the video settings, go to the next section in the list - "Sound". Here, the webcam or an external microphone. Click on the "Test Microphone" button, which will launch the appropriate test. Make sure your device is recording voice and also adjust the volume.

Using the online service

You can also check webcams using free online services in your browser. If you chose this method, you just need to go to the site for testing and start the process.

One of the most convenient services for this is webcamtests.com. Through it, you can check the camera and microphone.

1. Open in any browser website. The service will determine the devices available on the computer.
2. Select the video signal source from the drop-down list - the currently active webcam.
3. Click on the "Test camera" icon.
4. Allow the browser to access the device. And the image transmitted from the webcam will appear on the screen.
5. Wait. After checking, information about the device and the broadcast signal will appear in the table to the left of the demo screen.

After testing is complete, close the site or click on the "Stop Camera" button.

You can use other services for verification - the procedure is almost identical. For example, suitable WebcamMicTest. Open it and click the Test webcam button, and then allow access to the equipment during the request in the browser.

Using system utilities

Windows

In Windows 10 and 11, you can use the built-in Camera utility to check. Open the Start menu and find the desired program in the list of standard applications. Run it and allow access to the device. The video signal should appear on the screen.

The Camera app lets you adjust video resolution, frame rate, aspect ratio, and change privacy settings.

macOS

On Mac There are several built-in programs with which you can test your webcam. Connect it to your computer using a cable or wirelessly if needed, then select one of the options:

• Launch the FaceTime app, log in, and click Video from the menu. Select a device to shoot.
• Open Photo Booth. In the menu, click "Video", and then select the desired webcam.
• Launch QuickTime Player and in the top menu click File, then Record New Video. Select a camera from the list.

In all cases, the result should be the displayed webcam video in the application window.

linux

On different Linux distributions, you can test and control the webcam using the Guvcview utility. It is not in the repository, so you first need to run the commands in turn in the "Terminal" to install:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa: pj-assis/ppa

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install guvcview

After that, you can launch Guvcview from the list of programs to check the webcam and configure shooting settings.

What to do if the webcam is not working

If the device is not recording a signal, try troubleshooting using the tips below one by one. If neither method works, contact a warranty store or computer repair technician.

Restart your computer

Restarting the system will help prevent running applications from interfering with camera availability.

Connect your webcam to another PC

Try connecting the device to another computer, if possible, to check for OS compatibility errors.

Activate the correct camera in the app

Sometimes in the program video calls may default to the wrong device. Find the correct option from the drop-down list in the settings of your application.

You may have to iterate through all the available items. This is especially true if you use virtual cameras to communicate, for example, with a smartphone.

Check and update drivers

If you have Windows, check if the driver is up to date through the "Control Panel":

1. Go to the "Device Manager", find the webcam in the list and make sure that the driver is installed for it. It may appear under the appropriately named item, or under Imaging Devices.
2. Open the properties by right-clicking on the camera.
3. In the "General" item, examine the status of the gadget. It should say "The device is working properly." Its absence indicates a problem with the drivers.
4. Search the Web and install the driver for your webcam model. As a rule, the latest version of the program is available on the official website of the manufacturer.

Remove camera blocking by system

Windows uses settings privacy, which can disable the webcam in apps and prevent it from accessing it properly. Check this point like this:

1. Through the "Start" menu, open the "Settings" section.
2. Go to "Privacy", in the left menu in the "Application Permissions" subsection, find the "Camera" item.
3. Open the permissions setting for the device. Activate access to the necessary applications if it is disabled. After that, the webcam should work correctly and be displayed in programs.

macOS also has a similar setting. You can choose which applications will use the webcam in this way:

1. Open Apple menu → System Preferences → Security & Privacy.
2. Switch the menu to the "Privacy" tab.
3. In the left sidebar, click on "Camera".
4. If the system has detected the presence of a webcam, then in this item you will see applications that can be granted access to the device.
5. Check the boxes accordingly and save your changes. Restart the application listed in the list, a video signal should appear in it.