Have your MacBook camera stopped working? Do not worry; we will provide you possible reasons behind your Mac camera not working and how to fix a MacBook camera.
You will surely find the solution to fix your MacBook camera here. The camera of the MacBook is excellent, attending conference calls, capturing headshots.
It has superb clarity and fantastic features that add life to the photos and videos you make. The recordings look so real, bright, and colorful. All this is possible only if its camera is in working condition.
Sometimes, when there are issues with a MacBook webcam, it says not available and does not work, especially while working with apps like Facebook, Facetime, Skype, Zoom, Photo Booth, etc.
But, nothing to worry about when dealing with a Mac as most of its camera-related issues can be handled easily by troubleshooting. Some troubleshooting tips are discussed below to get your MacBook camera in working condition again.
Possible Ways to Fix Mac Camera Not Working Error
1. The Tips To Amend MacBook Camera
Sometimes unexpected and weird technical errors come up; it is always best to first shut down and restart the MacBook. This is a fundamental troubleshooting step that can resolve several kinds of issues.
Go to Apple Menu and then click on Shut Down. Choose to Re-open Windows when you log in again in the pop-up confirmation box and then confirm the ShutDown.
Please wait for 30 seconds after the shutdown, then click on the Power button to start it again. Sometimes ‘restart your mac,’ and it will start working perfectly fine.
2. Restart The Application
If you face camera issues with an app, try to restart the app with which you are facing issues. These apps could be Skype, Photo Booth, Zoom, FaceTime, Zoom, or other apps that use built-in cameras.
Close the running app with Cmd+Q or go to the menu bar and then to (App Name) >Quit (App Name). Thereafter, restart the app again.
If you cannot quit the app normally, use the command Option+Cmd+Esc to quit using the Force Quit button forcefully.
3. Privacy Preferences – Grant Access To The Camera
The MacBook camera wants to safeguard your privacy and thus blocks access to HD cameras for mediator apps until you allow it, explicitly by going to the Settings.
Normally, when you open that app for the first time, an alert pops- up asking you for your permission. In case the camera is not available for the app or is not working, you can allow access to System Preferences.
For this, go to Apple Menu —> System Preferences → Security and Privacy —> Privacy. Choose the Camera option and tick the checkbox of the app you want to give access to.
4. Try The Camera In A Different App
If the MacBook camera is not available for some app, you can use it with Photo Booth or FaceTime and check. If it works with either one, then check the in-app preferences for the apps with which the camera is not working.
To check this, go to (App Name) > Preferences from the menu bar. There, select the in-built camera from the list. If this also fails, then delete and reinstall the application.
5. Update The Installed Apps And MacOS
MacBook’s camera can stop working due to many bugs, or your MacBook might get indications that a camera or connection is absent. Several times there can be bugs in the app itself or in the macOS that you are using a camera with; for such cases, download and then install the newest updates that are available for both macOS and the app.
Go to Apple Menu > Software Update and check for the latest macOS updates. Go to the App Store and click on Updates in the sidebar to check for individual app updates.
6. Run Apple Diagnostics
macOS comes with in-built diagnostic software, and this software can be used to search for MacBook hardware problems that tell why the camera isn’t working in the first place.
Run the apple diagnostics by going to Apple > Shutdown and turn off the Mac. Then again, press the Power button to restart and hold the D key immediately until a language-section screen comes up.
Agree to the on-screen prompts and finish the diagnostics. Check the error codes and note them down and then contact Apple support if repairs are needed.
7. Reset SMC And PRAM Files
The SMC and PRAM store data on the MacBook, like sound output, display brightness, fan speed, etc. Sometimes there is an issue with these files that causes issues with the in-built camera. You can easily reset these files without losing any information.
To reset PRAM, go to Apple > Shutdown and turn off the MacBook. Thereafter, restart the MacBook and press the Option+Cmd+P+R during the bootup process.
Hold on to the keys until the second time you see the Apple logo on the screen.
8. Check If The Camera Connection Is There In System Report
This troubleshooting step may not resolve the issue, but it will explain why the MacBook believes there is no connection with the camera.
Go to the Apple menu, and then click on About this Mac, click on the System Report button and check the run-down of all the connected hardware.
Look at the MacBook camera details by selecting Camera from the sidebar; it will show your FaceTime camera’s model number. In case no camera is shown, it means there is a break in the connection that could be due to physical damage or damage caused due to liquid.
Talk to Apple customer care about repairs, and they will assist you with the further process.
9. Switch The User Account And Check
If your MacBook camera is not working, try to sign in with some other user account and use the in-built camera. If it works, it means there is an issue with your Mac account, and you may have to transfer the data to the latest account.
In case there is no other account, then go to System Preferences > Users & Groups, use the Add (+) button and make a new user. Sign out from this id and sign in again with this newly created user account and check the camera.
10. Use Safe Mode To Boot The MacBook
Using the Safe Mode, you can fix all the MacBook issues, as it is a special state. It stops the background processes from running the housekeeping processes. For Safe Mode booting, go to Apple > Shutdown and turn off the MacBook.
After this, hold the Power button and immediately press Shift while it starts up. It will show Safe Boot at the top-right corner of the user’s login screen.
Test the MacBook camera in Safe Mode and then restart the MacBook in a normal manner to see if the camera starts now.
11. Reinstall The MacOS
It is not difficult as it sounds as you can install the whole operating system on your MacBook without losing any data. This step can effectively fix any software issue, including camera issues.
Make sure you backup your MacBook before installing the macOS again to ensure your data is safe. Go to Apple Menu > Shutdown. Then press the Power button and immediately press Cmd+R to get it into recovery mode.
Go to the macOS utility window, choose to Install the macOS again, and keep following the prompts coming up on the screen. The entire process can take up to 20 to 60 minutes.
12. Restart Background Camera Assistants Using Terminal
When you are using a computer, a vast range of software assistants are running behind, and many of this software is crucial in helping the in-built camera work for the MacBook.
To stop some of these processes, use Terminal to restart the process again safely. This step will fix any issues that arise if they stop working at the back.
Conclusion
In this guide, we try to solve the problems of mac camera not working. Overall the issue might seem quite simple. The solutions are relatively straightforward. We hope our article helps you get right back to your school, college, or work meeting.
If you have to attend an urgent video or a conference call in case of Emergency- but the MacBook camera is not working, use your iPhone and join the calls using FaceTime, WhatsApp, Skype, etc. It will at least keep you moving even when your MacBook camera is not working.
