How To Fix Camera On Your Mac

📷 How to Fix Camera on Your Mac

Is your Mac camera not turning on or showing up in apps like Zoom or FaceTime?
It’s a common issue — even on new Macs — when system permissions glitch or camera services stop responding.

1. Open the Terminal app on your Mac

1. Press Command (⌘) + Space to launch Spotlight Search.
2. Type Terminal, then press Enter to launch it.

2. Enter this command in Terminal

Copy the following command and paste it into Terminal, then press Return:

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The fix is simple: you can reset your Mac’s camera system in seconds using one Terminal command. No need to reinstall anything.

If your Mac’s built-in camera or connected webcam isn’t working—whether it’s in FaceTime, Zoom, or another app—this guide will help you get it running again.

🔎 Step 1: Check App Permissions

1. Go to System Settings > Privacy & Security > Camera.
2. Make sure the app you’re using (e.g. FaceTime, Zoom, Chrome) is allowed to access the camera.

Tip: If an app isn’t listed, open it and try to use the camera—macOS may prompt you to grant permission.

🚫 Step 2: Close Other Apps Using the Camera

macOS allows only one app to use the camera at a time. If your camera shows as “in use” or doesn’t activate:

• Close all open apps that might be using the camera (e.g. Zoom, Teams, Skype, FaceTime).
• Restart the app you want to use.

🔄 Step 3: Restart Your Mac

A simple restart can often fix camera issues caused by stuck background processes. Click the Apple menu  and choose Restart.

💻 Step 4: Use Terminal to Reset the Camera (macOS Monterey and earlier)

1. 1. Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities).
   2. Enter the following command:

sudo killall VDCAssistant

1. Press Return and enter your admin password if prompted.

This restarts the background camera process on older versions of macOS.

🧪 Step 5: Test the Camera

Open an app that uses the camera, such as:

• Photo Booth – Built-in app for camera previews.
• FaceTime – Check if the camera activates during a call.
• Zoom – Go to Settings > Video to test it.

🔌 Step 6: External Camera Not Working?

• Check the USB or Thunderbolt connection.
• Use a different port or cable.
• Try the camera on another Mac to rule out hardware issues.
• Update any required drivers from the manufacturer’s website.

🆕 Step 7: Update macOS

Apple often includes camera bug fixes in software updates. Go to System Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates.

🧼 Bonus Tip: Reset NVRAM

Resetting NVRAM can help with hardware-related issues:

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Turn it on and immediately press and hold: Option + Command + P + R.
3. Hold for about 20 seconds, then release.

✅ Your Camera Should Be Working Again

After following these steps, your camera should be functional in most apps. If problems continue, contact Apple Support—your Mac’s camera hardware might need servicing.