Elgato Facecam Pro review | TechRadar

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The Elgato Facecam Pro is the webcam you probably never knew you needed

Best in Class

(Image: © Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

TechRadar Verdict

The Elgato Facecam Pro is the world’s first webcam that shoots in 4K at 60fps. Thanks to Sony’s 1/1.8-inch Starvis sensor, it also delivers an impressive dynamic range and great noise handling. Meanwhile, the Elgato Premium AF lens offers fast and on-point auto-focusing in well-lit situations, and the new Camera Hub gives you a slew of tools for creative exposures. However, it’s also held back by an eye-watering price tag.

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Pros

• +

  4K at 60fps video resolution

• +

  Wide dynamic range, great noise reduction

• +

  Snappy auto-focusing in well-lit conditions

• +

  Manual exposure via Camera Hub

Cons

• –

  Definitely expensive for a webcam

• –

  AF is slower in low light

• –

  Pretty big for a webcam

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Elgato Facecam Pro: One-minute review

The Elgato Facecam Pro is the webcam we never thought we needed until it showed up and showed us just how good we can have it. Ok, maybe for most of us, a 4K at 60fps webcam might be the dream, but it’s certainly not a necessity. After all, most of us only really use ours for video meetings with colleagues and video calls with friends and family, and we’re pretty sure none of them is going to look at your footage and say, “Ew, you’re so low-res right now!”

However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a need for such a peripheral in this new world where content creation is everybody’s new “dream job.” So, while we might not all want to shell out a few hundred bucks/quid for a webcam, those who make their living live-streaming, creating YouTube videos, and/or making TikToks will certainly appreciate its worth.

There are two things that set the Elgato Facecam Pro apart from the sea of still amazing webcams on the planet: it’s got the largest sensor on a webcam, and it’s the first webcam to deliver 4K at 60fps videos. These – on top of the other features Elgato has stuffed in its 4.6 x 1.5 x 3.1-inch frame – make it an absolute game-changer for folks who rely on their webcams to pay the bills.

That’s a good thing since its price of entry is more than what most of us are willing to pay – it’s hardly a cheap webcam. The Elgato Facecam Pro isn’t the ideal webcam for the majority of the population, but it’s certainly the best webcam for quite a few users.

Elgato Facecam Pro: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $299 / £299
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US and the UK

Elgato Facecam Pro: SPECS

Supported Resolutions: 2160p60, 2160p30, 1080p60, 1080p30, 720p60, 720p30
Sensor: 1/1.8” Sony Starvis CMOS sensor
Lens: Elgato Premium AF lens
Focus Range: 4 in – ∞
Aperture: f/2. 0
Focal Length: 21mm

At $299 / £299, the Elgato Facecam Pro’s price tag is certainly an eye-watering revelation, especially to budding content creators who don’t have the budget to make TikTok videos on such a pricey webcam. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that its older brother, the Elgato Facecam, was $199 / £189 at launch, so you are looking at a premium webcam line here.

That price is also understandable considering you’re getting a larger camera sensor and 4K at 60fps shooting capabilities. It also makes sense if you take a look at the competition. Razer’s current premium webcam, the Razer Kiyo Pro, will set you back $199 (£199, AU$329), and that tops at 1080p at 60fps and only has USB connectivity. So, paying $100 / £100 for more features, a considerably higher resolution, and a bigger sensor isn’t really that big of a stretch.

That said, it is still pretty expensive for many streamers and content creators, let alone most webcam users. So, we’re knocking a point and a half off the Elgato Facecam Pro’s value rating because of that.

• Value: 3.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Elgato Facecam Pro: Design

• It’s a massive webcam
• Plug-and-play setup, USB-C connectivity
• No privacy shutter or cover

The first thing you’ll likely notice about the Elgato Facecam Pro is its size. At 4.6 x 1.5 x 3.1 inches, it is a sizable one – almost double the size of the Elgato Facecam – with what we assume are vents near the back to minimize overheating of its more powerful innards. 

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Its size and the vents make it look legit, more like the pro equipment it is rather than a consumer webcam. It’s fairly lightweight for its size, thanks in large part to its plastic construction. However, at 240g (0.53lb) without the mount, it might be too big or heavy to mount on a laptop, even a 17-inch one.  

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

You might want to consider investing in one of Elgato’s standalone mounts – like the Mini Mount – if you’re traveling and only have your laptop handy. The included mount, to be fair, keeps it pretty stable when mounted on monitors and has up/down articulation so you can angle the Facecam Pro to your liking.

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Being plug-and-play, like the Facecam, it’s blissfully fast and easy to set up, and its USB-C connectivity makes it Mac-friendly. The USB-C cable feels robust and high quality but is very flexible, making it easy to put away or get out of the way. Sadly, there’s no physical privacy shutter or cover, unlike the Facecam… at least, not included in the box.

Meanwhile, Elgato’s Camera Hub seems to have been upgraded to offer better support for the Facecam Pro. It’ll also give you a lot of control over the webcam’s settings, which means you’ll have more creative control over your exposures. It’ll let you adjust the shutter speed (1/10,000s to 1/30s) and ISO (100 to 3200), set the white balance anywhere from 2500K to 12,000K, digitally pan and tilt the lens, and even change the focus manually. You can even save your current or preferred settings, thanks to the built-in flash memory.

The Elgato Facecam Pro’s auto-exposure and auto-focusing are pretty spot-on – and we’ll get to that in the next section – but, we certainly recommend playing around with the settings, even if you’re a bit of a novice when it comes to camera exposures. There’s a lot of room for error here, and you won’t break the webcam by experimenting. Even if you set its white balance to the warmest temperature and everything looks orange, the software makes it easy to revert to the ‘right’ settings. Just toggle that switch from manual to auto.

• Design: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Elgato Facecam Pro: Performance

• 4K at 60fps video resolution
• Auto-focusing is on-point, especially with good lighting
• Great dynamic range, great noise reduction

Though we haven’t personally tested every premium webcam on the market, we know how many of them struggle with things like dynamic range, noise handling, and fast auto-focusing. That’s understandable as webcams don’t exactly have the biggest sensors or the fastest technology – at least, not next to the best cameras for videos.

But, the Elgato Facecam Pro is certainly taking things up a notch and setting that webcam standard higher. Previously, the Razer Kiyo Pro topped the list in terms of dynamic range and features – although when we pit it against the Elgato Facecam, the latter proved to be better at handling noise in low light.

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

The Elgato Facecam Pro seems to have taken everything those two had on offer, combined it all, and turned it up to 10. You’re looking at sharp, highly-detailed, butter-smooth footage here, with Sony’s 1/1.8-inch Starvis sensor allowing for 4K at 60fps recording – though, of course, that means you’re getting a superior production value, whether you’re live streaming or making a TikTok video.

You’re also getting much more. The dynamic range is impressive, allowing it to retain a lot of detail in the darkest areas while keeping overblown highlights very minimal. During testing, we tried turning off all the lights, leaving only the monitor and laptop displays on, plus our phone’s flashlight shining on this reviewer’s face, and we had to work a little harder to find the overblown highlights.

Its low-light performance and noise handling are among the best we’ve seen as well. There’s some chromatic noise and a little bit of luminance noise in the darkest areas when we’re using it at night, but both are kept well under control. There’s no exaggerated, unnatural smoothing either.

Also thanks to the sensor, the picture quality you’re getting is incredibly detailed. You’ll see every hair and the smallest blemish in sharp detail. And, even when you’re zooming all the way in at 1080p, these details are well-preserved – much better than you’d have on a 1080p webcam, for sure. Do keep in mind, however, that we’re still dealing with digital – not optical – zoom here, so it’s never going to be the sharpest quality.

Thanks to its 60fps recording capability, you’re also getting crisp and smooth movements. We haven’t seen any signs of ghosting during video calls or when recording videos. And, those extra frames should be very useful when you’re hoping to get some slow-motion clips.

Auto-focusing is on-point as well, incredibly snappy and smooth in well-lit conditions, whether the subject is four inches away or all the way in the back of the room. It isn’t as fast in low-light situations, but that’s true for most cameras out there – even high-end full-frame ones – so that’s unsurprising. Plus, it still hits the mark and smoothly. That is, it doesn’t struggle to find focus in low light; it just does it slower.

If you want to control the focus, you can also toggle it on Camera Hub to manual and set it yourself, either via the distance slider or using the three distance presets: near (6 inches), mid (32 inches), and far (50 inches). This comes in handy when there are several people in the frame, but you don’t want your footage to be constantly adjusting its focus.

Also on Camera Hub is the ability to pan and tilt. Like the zoom function, those are done digitally, so don’t expect that lens to move or the quality to be just as good. But, these are still very handy, especially when you want to keep your frame tight but don’t want to physically adjust the webcam. 

This capability is done on the hardware level, however, so it works with other apps like Zoom and Microsoft Teams. The only issue is you still need to make the adjustments on Camera Hub, which is a little inconvenient. It’s less tedious if you own a Stream Deck, however, as you can set four pan/tilt presents and quickly change from one to the other using the device. 

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Elgato Facecam Pro?

(Image credit: Future / Michelle Rae Uy)

Buy it if…

You are a content creator with a big budget
The Elgato Facecam Pro’s 4K at 60fps shooting capabilities, wide dynamic range, and great noise reduction – not to mention a lot of manual controls – make it a versatile and highly capable tool for creating high-quality content.

You want a 4K webcam that shoots at 60fps
This is the first 4K webcam that records at 60fps for butter-smooth footage. All the other 4K webcams on the market still shoot at 30fps.

You’ve got extra cash you’re itching to spend
This is an expensive webcam, among the priciest on the consumer market, but if you’ve got some extra cash lying around, it’s a future-proof webcam that’s worth the money if you want to be an early adopter.

Don’t buy it if…

You only use your webcam for meetings and personal video calls
This is a pro-level tool whose prowess and features will only be maximized by pro users. If you’re just a casual user, this is overkill.

You want to travel light
This is bigger than most consumer webcams, so it isn’t the most travel-friendly companion… even if it is lighter than it looks.

You’re feeling the cost of living crisis
If you’re on a budget and not a content creator, you’re better off spending your money on a cheaper alternative. You’re not going to make the most of that 4K at 60fps capability anyway.

Elgato Facecam Pro: Report card

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Value	The Elgato Facecam Pro isn’t cheap, but it’s certainly a worthy investment if you have the budget for it.	3.5 / 5
Design	This is a massive webcam that’s better suited on a monitor or standalone mount. It is plug-and-play so set-up is easy.	4.5 / 5
Performance	With its wide dynamic range, great noise handling, and snappy auto-focusing, it’s one of the best-performing webcams we’ve tested.	4.5 / 5
Total	It’s hard to give it a perfect score when it’s out of most people’s budget. However, if you’re a content creator, it’s certainly worth checking out.	4 / 5

• First reviewed November 2022

How we test

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, offering up long-term attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained – regardless of when a device was released, if you can still buy it, it’s on our radar.

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Elgato Facecam Pro: Price Comparison

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Michelle Rae Uy is the Computing Reviews and Buying Guides Editor here at TechRadar. She’s a Los Angeles-based tech, travel and lifestyle writer covering a wide range of topics, from computing to the latest in green commutes to the best hiking trails. She’s an ambivert who enjoys communing with nature and traveling for months at a time just as much as watching movies and playing sim games at home. That also means that she has a lot more avenues to explore in terms of understanding how tech can improve the different aspects of our lives. 

The Best Webcams for 2023

Video chat is big these days. More people than ever before are working from home and many of them are hopping on video conference calls. You want to look your best in a video meeting, and that goes beyond showering and actually getting dressed. What you really need is a decent webcam.

If you have a laptop, you most likely already have a webcam. It probably isn’t very good, though. Small lenses, skewed colors, awkward exposure, and grainy indoor video are just some of the problems you might experience with cheap, built-in webcams. A dedicated webcam can solve these problems and give you the flexibility to aim it wherever you want. It’s a worthwhile investment if you’re planning to spend a lot of time on calls, recording vlogs, or doing anything else with video.

Here are our top picks for webcams, followed by what you should know when shopping for them.

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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

Dell Pro Webcam

Best Overall

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

The Dell Pro Webcam offers strong performance for its reasonable price. Its 2K resolution makes it sharper than most others on this list and it’s not nearly as expensive as 4K models. The microphone works well, too, which is a distinct advantage over the mic-free Dell Ultrasharp Webcam.

Who It’s For

This is our default recommendation for anyone who wants sharper-than-1080p picture quality for under $100. The Dell Pro Webcam can’t stand up to 4K webcams in terms of detail capture, but it’s the best pick for most people.

PROS

• Sharp 2K video
• Clear audio

CONS

• Noisier than it should be for the resolution
• Sluggish auto framing

GET IT NOW

Learn More

Dell Pro Webcam Review

Logitech StreamCam

Best for Vertical Video

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

The Logitech Streamcam is a few years old, but it’s still competitive with more recent models. This 1080p, 60fps camera records in both horizontal and vertical orientations, so it’s just as useful for TikTok as for video calls. Otherwise, dual microphones capture reasonably clear audio and the Logitech Capture app provides useful software support.

Who It’s For

This is an ideal option if you are just starting out with recording or streaming content because it includes stereo microphones (and thus saves you some money). It’s a little pricey for a 1080p webcam, but the companion software and vertical recording features add significant value.

PROS

• Crisp, smooth video.
• Lots of recording options.
• Includes screen and tripod mounts.

CONS

• Expensive.
• Logitech Capture software doesn’t stream.

GET IT NOW

Learn More

Logitech StreamCam Review

Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra

Best Picture Quality

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

The Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra simply offers the best picture quality we’ve seen in a webcam, with superb 4K detail. Its 1/1.2-inch sensor enables excellent low-light performance too, preventing you from looking noisy in darker environments. Finally, its f/1.7 aperture means you get actual bokeh (something that most webcams don’t even try) for a naturally defocused background.

Who It’s For

If you’re a content creator who doesn’t want to deal with connecting a phone or a separate digital camera to your computer, consider this premium webcam a wise investment. Just keep in mind that the shallow focal plane isn’t ideal if you frequently want your background to be in focus at the same time that you are.

PROS

• Fantastic video quality
• Produces genuine bokeh
• Strong low-light performance
• 4K30, 1440p30, and 1080p60 modes

CONS

• Expensive
• Narrow focus plane
• Mediocre microphone
• Synapse 3.0 software only works on Windows

GET IT NOW

Learn More

Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra Review

Anker PowerConf C300

Best for Groups

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

The Anker PowerConf C300 has the widest lens out of all the cameras on this list at 115 degrees. That makes it ideal for getting everyone in a small conference room in the frame at once. Its 1080p 60fps video could be a little sharper, but it handles awkward lighting well and picks up voices fairly clearly.

Who It’s For

The Anker PowerConf C300 works well for groups of people who all need to be on camera simultaneously, as well as for small businesses that don’t want to break the bank on a fancier videoconferencing solution.

PROS

• Very wide angle is good for groups
• Strong low-light performance
• Solid microphone

CONS

• Angle can be too wide for a single person

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Learn More

Anker PowerConf C300 Review

Creative Live! Cam Sync 1080p V2

Best Ultra-Affordable Webcam

4.0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

The 1080p Live! Cam Sync V2 won’t impress anyone with its specs or performance, but it’s still an excellent choice that offers better quality than your laptop’s built-in webcam. Creative also sells a 4K Live! Cam Sync V3 for about $10 more, but we haven’t tested that model yet.

Who It’s For

If you want to save money on your webcam upgrade, this is your best bet. It’s not quite suitable for streaming or recording, but it works just fine for video calls.

PROS

• Relatively inexpensive
• Bright picture
• Loud, clear sound
• Built-in privacy filter

CONS

• Noisy video
• Audio isn’t particularly clean or crisp

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Learn More

Creative Live! Cam Sync 1080p V2 Review

Poly Studio P5

Best Affordable Webcam

4. 0 Excellent

Why We Picked It

The midrange Poly Studio P5 comes in above the price of the Creative Live! Cam Sync V2, but below that of the Dell Pro Webcam. Clean mic quality and a relatively sharp picture are highlights.

Who It’s For

The Poly Studio P5 is a strong value and a good choice for people who want a better-than-budget experience. Like the aforementioned Creative model, it’s better for standard video calls than content creation, but that might be all you need it for.

PROS

• Crisp, clear audio
• Strong low-light performance
• Physical privacy cover
• USB port for headset dongles

CONS

• Picture is a bit soft
• Monitor clip has limited adjustments

GET IT NOW

Learn More

Poly Studio P5 Review

Buying Guide: The Best Webcams for 2023

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What Webcam Frame Rate and Resolution Do You Need?

A webcam can only get as sharp as its sensor can resolve pixels. Full HD (1080p) resolution is a good starting point for a decent webcam, but if you really want to up your picture quality (or be able to crop your frame and keep it sharp), a 4K webcam is what we recommend. Quad HD 2K (2,560 by 1,440) is a rare but flexible middle ground between those two. Stay away from 720p models if you can; they offer the softest image quality and are likely no better than your laptop’s built-in webcam.

The frame rate affects how smooth your video looks. A 60fps webcam presents you in a much more realistic and natural way than a 30fps webcam, so be sure to pay close attention to that spec before buying.

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What Kind of Lens Does Your Webcam Need?

The lens on a webcam is just as important as the sensor, and generally bigger is better. It determines how much light reaches the camera sensor, which affects how you look in less-than-ideal lighting scenarios. This is known as the aperture size, and most cameras express this value as f/(number). The lower the number, the wider the aperture and the more light that comes through. Webcams don’t often advertise their aperture sizes, but they generally range from f/2.0 to f/2.8.

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Should You Choose a Webcam With a Wide or Narrow Field of View?

The lens also determines the camera’s field of view, which is important for framing. If you want to capture only your face and cut out your messy bedroom, get something with a narrow field of view (or a high enough resolution that you can crop the frame). If you want to record an entire conference room, make sure the webcam has a wide field of view. Typically, these ranges fall between 65 and 90 degrees, with 78 degrees serving as a common middle ground. In this case, the smaller the number, the smaller the field of view.

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Does Your Webcam Need Autofocus?

Most inexpensive webcams are fixed-focus. That means the lenses don’t adjust to keep you in focus, or are simply set to capture you within a wide enough range that you show up clearly. This behavior is fine if you sit directly in front of the camera a few feet away, but it’s easy to wander out of the focal plane (particularly if you want to show something up close).

More expensive webcams often include an autofocus system, which means their lenses adjust to make sure you’re clear at any distance from the camera. This is preferable because you don’t have to worry about sitting in the same spot to remain in focus.

Some higher-resolution cameras have what’s called AI autofocus, which combines autofocus with digital zoom to center the frame around your face as you move around within the camera’s field of view. This is a handy feature, but it can’t replace properly framing the shot ahead of your conference.

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The Best Webcam Lighting

Even the best webcams struggle in a dark room. If you want a clear, sharp picture, you need good lighting. Overhead lights and sunlight are helpful, but rarely consistent. Some webcams, like the Razer Kiyo, have a built-in ring light, but otherwise, an adjustable fill light, like the Logitech Litra Glow, works reliably.

Logitech Litra Glow (Credit: Logitech)

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Are Webcam Microphones Good Enough?

You aren’t going to get amazing sound from your webcam’s mic array. Sometimes you can find a webcam with a mic that sounds pretty good, but the acoustics of your room and the simple distance between you and the webcam means there’s a limit to how clear your voice sounds.

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The Best Headsets and Headphones for Your Home Office

With that in mind, some high-end webcams like the Dell UltraSharp Webcam forego microphones entirely. These webcams focus on video quality and assume that you have a dedicated USB mic or gaming headset with a boom mic—either of which will provide better sound than any webcam mic. We recommend using a USB mic or headset if you’re serious about recording, streaming, or any video calls that might be recorded for future use. Obviously, these would come at an extra expense.

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Can You Use Your DSLR or Mirrorless Camera as a Webcam?

Canon EOS M6 Mark II (Credit: Jim Fisher)

Do you have a mirrorless or SLR camera? Good news! You can use it to (potentially) get far better picture quality than any consumer webcam. Our guide to setting up your digital camera as a webcam walks you through all the requisite steps for recording and streaming from your favorite camera.

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How to Turn Your Smartphone Into a Webcam

Droidcam (Credit: Droidcam)

Alternatively, if your phone has a good camera, you can try using it as a webcam. Check out our guide on turning your phone into a webcam with free software.

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Are Cheap, No-Name Webcams on Amazon Worth Buying?

Cheap, no-name webcams (Credit: Will Greenwald)

There’s no shortage of cheap, no-name webcams available on Amazon. We bought six of them ranging in price from $13 to $59. Here’s how they fared against pricier cameras from Dell and Razer. When it comes to webcams, do you get what you pay for?

How to check if the webcam is working on a computer

Likbez

Technologies

January 24

Several ways using programs and online services, as well as troubleshooting methods.

How to test the webcam on your computer

Using a video calling application

You can test your webcam using a program that you intend to use to make video calls. To do this, you need to install the communication application and go to its settings; in this case, additional utilities will not be needed.

Let’s use Zoom as the most popular online chatting software as an example. Proceed as follows:

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 video settings, set the required parameters. Activate image enhancements and noise filtering if necessary. 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 should be selected as the audio source in the “Microphone” item. 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 the site in any browser. The service will determine the devices available on the computer.
2. Select the video source from the drop-down list – the currently active webcam.
3. Click 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.

Once testing is complete, close the site or click the “Stop camera” button.

You can use other services for verification – the procedure is almost identical. For example, WebcamMicTest is suitable. 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 application allows you to adjust the video resolution, frame rate and aspect ratio, and change privacy settings.

macOS

Your Mac has several built-in programs that you can use to test your webcam. Connect it to your computer with 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 click “File” in the top menu, 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 various Linux distributions, you can test and control the webcam using the Guvcview utility. It is not in the repository, so first you need to run the commands in the “Terminal” one by one to install it:

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

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install guvcview

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

What to do if the webcam does not work

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

Restart your computer

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

Connect the webcam to another PC

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

Activate the correct camera in the application

Sometimes the wrong device may be used by default in the video call program. Find the correct option from the drop-down list in the settings of your application.

It may be necessary to iterate over all available points. 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 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 properties by right-clicking on the camera.
3. In the “General” section, 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.

Fix the system blocking the camera

Windows uses privacy settings that can disable the webcam in applications and prevent it from receiving the necessary access. Check this moment like this:

1. Through the Start menu, open the Settings section.
2. Go to “Privacy”, in the left menu in the subsection “Application Permissions” find the item “Camera”.
3. Open the permission 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 apps will use the webcam like this:

1. Go to 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 open access to the device.
5. Check the appropriate boxes and save the changes. Restart the application listed in the list, a video signal should appear in it.

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Webcam not working? How to fix a camera

We are indeed doubling our video calls at the moment. With the growth of remote work, video meetings, online presentations, and even video calls with family have entered our daily lives.

Unfortunately, webcam problems are still one of the most common user problems. So, whether you’re using a Mac or a PC and whether you have an internal or external webcam, this guide will walk you through the steps to troubleshoot and repair your webcam so you can show your face on the screen again.

Wait, what’s with the internal webcam? 🤨

Built-in webcam is built into the screen of your computer or laptop. An external webcam is connected to your computer, usually via USB. Most laptops have built-in webcams, while many desktops and Macs require external ones. You can also connect external webcams via Wi-Fi, but since this practice is much less common, we didn’t include them in our guide.

Scroll through the entire guide for general tips or click one of the links below for specific settings.

• Fix Internal Webcams
• Fix Internal Mac Webcams
• Fix Internal Windows Webcams
• Tips for External Webcams

There must be a better way!

We recently created our own webcam software that uses your iPhone’s beautiful camera to make video calls to your computer. If you find that the solutions below don’t work for you, or you want to improve the quality of your webcam, why not give Camo a try? 🤷‍♀️ It’s free.

Using an iPhone as a webcam with camouflage

General Strategies for Internal Webcams

If you are using the camera built into your laptop or computer, it can be difficult to determine what is actually causing your webcam problems.

Before we get to the specifics of Windows and Mac, make sure you have tried all of the following:

1. Stop other applications from using your camera.

Zoom, Meet, Skype, Teams, Slack, Viber, Spike, WhatsApp, FaceTime, Photobooth – 9 exist0191 there are a lot of different applications with video conferencing capabilities, and we often have to combine more than one application to calm different people in our lives. Switching between different platforms is usually fine, but if you forget to close one platform, you won’t be able to switch to another.

Here’s how to make sure all other video calling applications are closed: On a Windows PC, press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and open Task Manager. On the 9 tab0089 Processes ” Scroll through all running applications and close any that may be using your camera.

Windows Task Manager

On Mac hold ⌘ Cmd + type “Activity” and select Activity Monitor to open. Double-click all applications that can use your camera and select Quit in the window.

macOS Activity Manager looking at FaceTime

If this doesn’t work or you’re not sure which apps are using your webcam, you can close all running apps and try again. Don’t forget to save your work first!

2. Make sure your software is up to date (all of it)

Check your computer software for general updates. Also, if you find that your webcam no longer works after a recent software update, check the app you’re using to see if a software update is required to work with your current OS. You may need to reinstall the app in order to update the software. You can also update your webcam driver (more on that below).

Updating applications on macOS

3. Restart your computer

Old, but golden. Sometimes your computer just needs a reboot to get things working again.

Mac internal webcam fix

Mac internal webcams (often referred to as the “FaceTime” camera) have the added complication of not having a default Mac camera setup application. So your camera settings are configured in different ways in each of your individual apps.

Webcam settings in Meet and Zoom

Error message: “No camera connected” – how can this be?

If the error message above appears but you’re using your Mac’s internal camera, you’ll be forgiven if you assume it’s caused by a hardware problem. Fortunately, this is not often the case. Try the solutions below before taking your Mac in for repairs.

Force quit all video applications

If you don’t have the time or desire to restart your computer, you can try to force quit. Most users find that this solves their webcam issues and it is quickly done. Be sure to save any open projects before doing this.

1. Close any open applications that might attempt to use the FaceTime camera in Activity Monitor .
2. Hold ⌘ Cmd + enter “Term” to open Terminal .
3. Copy and paste the following into the terminal sudo killall VDCAssistant , then press Enter .
4. You may need to enter an administrator password at this point.
5. Restart the video call application.

Force Quit Application in Terminal

Reset Your System Management Controller (SMC)

Resetting your Mac’s SMC can help if you’re having issues with various features, including power, charging, fans, and camera issues. The way you reset your Mac’s SMC depends on the type of Mac you’re using.

To reset the SMC on a Macbook with the Apple T2 Security Chip:

1. Turn off your Mac.
2. On your keyboard, hold down the following keys for seven seconds (this may turn on your Mac): ⌘ Cmd + ⌥ Option + ⇧ Shift .
3. While holding the three buttons, hold down the power button. Keep holding all 4 keys for 7 seconds. If your Mac is on, it will now turn off when you hold down the keys.
4. Wait a couple of seconds, then turn on your Mac.

To reset SMC on desktop Macs:

1. Turn off your Mac.
2. Unplug the power cord, wait 15 seconds, then plug it back in.
3. Wait five seconds, then turn on your Mac.

To reset SMC on all other Macs released in 2010 or later:

1. Turn off your Mac.
2. Hold ⌘ Cmd + ⌥ Option + ⇧ Shift .
3. While holding down these three keys, also hold down the power button. Hold all four keys for ten seconds.
4. Turn on your Mac.

Check for physical damage.

Physical damage is more likely to occur on a MacBook than a desktop due to the general wear and tear caused by shipping it. If you have an external webcam, try using that (remember, if you have an iPhone, you can download Camo, our free app to use your iPhone as a webcam. 💁‍♀️).

Fix Windows Internal Webcams

Run Hardware Troubleshooter

First, let’s find out if your built-in camera is visible to your PC. Make it:

1. Click Start, then type device in the search bar to open Device Manager . You may be required to enter a password or provide administrator confirmation.

2. Find your webcam in Device Manager. It can be stored in various locations including Imaging Devices and Other Devices . In the screenshot below, we are using an external webcam.

   Webcam driver visible in Windows 9 Device Manager0003

3. If you see your webcam listed, double-click it. If it opens and works, your problem is likely caused by a permissions issue or an issue with your video app. More on this below.

4. If you see your webcam in the list but it still doesn’t work, try updating the driver.

Update your camera driver

1. Click ⊞ Start then enter device in the search bar to open Device Manager . You may be required to enter a password or provide administrator confirmation.
2. Find Imaging Devices and expand to find your camera.
3. Right-click the camera and select Update Driver software

4. Follow the instructions and select Search automatically for updated driver software when prompted.

   Webcam driver update in Windows

5. If your driver cannot find an update, you can also uninstall and reinstall the webcam driver.

Give your video conferencing applications permissions to access the camera

If your camera works unless you are using a specific application, make sure it has permission to access the camera.

1. For general access go to ⊞ Start → Settings → Privacy → Camera .
2. Under Allow access to the camera on this device , select Change , then enable Camera access for this device , and also enable Allow apps to access your computer .
3. To give your camera access to certain apps, scroll down to Choose which Microsoft Store apps can access your camera and enable the video conferencing app you’re trying to use.

Allowing access to the camera in Windows

External webcams

If you are using an external webcam that connects to your computer via USB, the first thing to check is the USB connection.

Try switching to a different USB port, and if you have access to another computer, try plugging your webcam there to make sure there are no connection problems. If other computers don’t recognize your webcam either, the connection may not be working or you may need to update your webcam driver.

Update your camera driver

To update your webcam driver on Windows:

1. Connect your webcam to your computer.
2. Click Start, then type device in the search bar to open Device Manager . You may be required to enter a password or provide administrator confirmation.