4 Simple Ways to Test a Webcam using Any Computer

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Plus, how to troubleshoot a camera that's not working

Written by Travis Boylls

Last Updated: February 2, 2026 Fact Checked

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• Using Windows
|
• Using a Mac
|
• Using Linux
|
• Using a Web Browser
|
• Troubleshooting
|
• Video

|Show more |Show less

Do you need to test your webcam before an important meeting or call? Luckily, you can test a webcam in a few simple steps, whether you have a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer. You can use a webcam checker website to quickly check your webcam status, or you can use the built-in camera application on your device. This wikiHow will show you how to find out if your internal or external webcam is working in Windows, Mac, and Linux.

How to Test Your Webcam

You can use the Camera app on Windows, the Photo Booth app on Mac, or the Cheese app on Linux to test your camera. If you have multiple cameras connected, make sure you have the correct camera selected. You can also use websites that test your webcam.

Steps

Section 1 of 5:

Using Windows

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1. 
   1
   Click the

   

   menu. It’s usually at the bottom-left corner of the screen.
2. 
   2
   Open the Camera app. The Camera app comes pre-installed on Windows computers. Type “Camera” and click Camera in the results.

   • If this is your first time using the Camera app, you may have to grant permission for the app to run.
   • If you have multiple cameras connected, you can select which camera you want to use. To switch cameras, click the icon of a camera with arrows in the upper-right corner.
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3. 
   3
   Check your camera. Your webcam should turn on automatically. If you see your webcam's image, it is working properly.

   • You can now take a photo from your laptop.
   • If your webcam isn't working, jump to our troubleshooting steps.
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Section 2 of 5:

Using a Mac

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1. 
   1
   Open Photo Booth on your Mac. To do so quickly, type photo booth into the Spotlight search bar, then click Photo Booth in the search results. You will also find Photo Booth in your Applications menu.

   • Photo Booth will automatically open to your webcam.
2. 2
   Check your camera. You should see an image from your camera appear in Photo Booth. You can use Photo Booth to take pictures or record video.

   • If you have more than one camera connected to your Mac, you can select the camera you want to check by clicking Camera in the menu bar and choosing a camera.
   • You can also use your iPhone as a webcam on a Mac. To do so, you just need to turn on Continuity Camera. To do so, open the Settings app on your iPhone, go to General > AirPlay & Continuity, and turn on Continuity Camera.
   • If your webcam isn't working, jump to our troubleshooting steps.
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Section 3 of 5:

Using Linux

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1. 1
   Install the Cheese app. The Cheese app is a free and open-source webcam application for Linux. You can find it in your distribution's package manager, such as Ubuntu Software Center or Synaptic.

   • If you're using Debian, Ubuntu, or Linux Mint, you can install Cheese in a terminal using the command sudo apt install cheese.
   • You can also install Cheese from a Snap.
2. 2
   Open the Cheese app and select a camera. Once installed, you will find the Cheese app in your apps menu. If you have multiple cameras, you can select the camera you want to check. Here's how:

   • Click the menu icon ☰.
   • Click Preferences.
   • Select your camera under “Devices.”
3. 3
   Check your camera. You should see an image from your webcam in the app. If you see an image, your camera is working properly.

   • If your webcam isn't working, jump to our troubleshooting steps.
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Section 4 of 5:

Using a Web Browser

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1. 
   1
   Go to webcammictest.com in a web browser. You can use Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, or another browser.

   • This method works for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
2. 
   2
   Click Start Test. It's the blue button in the middle of the page.

   • You can toggle on Autostart next time to quickly test your webcam on your next visit.
   • A pop-up window will open.
3. 
   3
   Click Allow while visiting this site. This grants the website permission to access your webcam.
4. 4
   Select a camera. If you have more than one camera connected, you can select which camera you want to use. Use the following steps to do so:

   • Click Devices in the upper-right corner.
   • Use the first drop-down menu on the left to select your webcam.
5. 
   5
   Check the camera feed. If your webcam is working, you should see the camera feed in the middle of the web page.

   • If your webcam isn't working, jump to our troubleshooting steps.
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Section 5 of 5:

Troubleshooting Your Webcam

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1. 
   1
   Make sure your webcam is turned on. If you have an external webcam, check to see if it has an on/off switch. If you are using a laptop or PC with a built-in webcam, check the buttons on the keyboard to see if there is a button to turn the webcam on and off. It may resemble a camera or a camera with a line through it. Check the function keys for an on/off button for your webcam.

   • Some laptops have a built-in webcam cover. Ensure the webcam is not covered.
2. 
   2
   Check the condition of your webcam. Locate your webcam. It's usually above your monitor in the middle. Make sure there is no debris or anything else that is blocking it.

   • If you have an external webcam, check the cord and make sure it isn't frayed or worn.
3. 
   3
   Check the USB port the webcam is connected to (external webcams only). If you have an external webcam, make sure it's plugged properly into a USB port.

   • Try using a different USB port on your computer.
4. 
   4
   Check that other apps aren't using your webcam. If one app is using your webcam, it won't be accessible to other apps. Be sure to close all other applications that use your webcam before opening a new app that needs to access your webcam.

   • Check apps like Microsoft Teams, Zoom, OBS Studio, FaceTime, Messenger. Also, check your web browser tabs to see if there are any websites using your webcam.
5. 
   5
   Check that your webcam is enabled (Windows only). The Windows Settings menu allows you to enable or disable your webcam, both in general and on various apps. Use the following steps to check that your webcam is enabled.

   • Click the Windows Start menu.
   • Click the Gear/Settings menu.
   • Click Privacy & security.
   • Click Camera in the panel to the left.
   • Ensure the toggle switch next to “Camera access” is turned on.
   • Ensure the toggle switch next to "Let apps access your camera" is on.
   • Scroll down and ensure the toggle switch for each app you want to access your webcam is on.
6. 
   6
   Check that your webcam is enabled in Device Manager (Windows Only). Use the following steps to make sure your webcam is enabled in the device manager:

   • Right-click the Windows Start menu.
   • Click Device Manager.
   • Double-click Cameras or Imaging Devices.
   • Right-click your webcam.
   • Click Enable Device.
7. 
   7
   Update your camera's drivers. You can also check to make sure your camera drivers are up-to-date in the Device Manager. To update your drivers:

   • Right-click the Windows Start menu.
   • Click Device Manager.
   • Double-click Cameras or Imaging Devices.
   • Right-click your webcam.
   • Click Update Drivers.
   • Click Search automatically for drivers.
   • Follow the prompts if a driver is found.
8. 
   8
   Reset your Mac's system controller (Mac only). If your webcam is not working on your Mac, you may want to try resetting the system controller. If you have a more recent Apple Silicon-based Mac, all you need to do is restart your Mac. If you have an older Intel-based Mac, use the following steps to reset your Mac's system controller:

   • Shut down your Mac.
   • Press and hold the left Shift + Control + Option buttons for 7 seconds.
   • Press and hold the Power button for 7 more seconds while still holding the keys down.
   • Release all keys and wait a few seconds.
   • Turn on your Mac.
9. 
   9
   Check the webcam settings in the app you want to use. If your webcam isn't working in a particular app, you may need to configure it for that app. This is especially true if you have more than one webcam. The webcam settings are going to be located in a different location on different applications.

   • In general, you can access the webcam settings by opening Settings → Preferences or Options → Video.
10. 
    10
    Replace the webcam. If your webcam is not blocked, your drivers are up-to-date, and it's plugged in securely, your webcam may be broken. You'll need to buy a new webcam and set it up. If you're using an older webcam, it may not be compatible with newer applications.
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