Mac camera not working? 6 fixes to try

Step-by-step guide

Follow these steps in order. After each step, check if it works.

1. 1

   Update macOS

   Open System Settings, General, Software Update and click Check for Updates. Apple lists this as the first fix.

   On our MacBook Neo it said "Your Mac is up to date." with "macOS 27 Golden Gate 27.0.1", and Automatic Updates was On.

   Done
   
2. 2

   Check that Screen Time allows the camera

   If Screen Time is in use, open System Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions, make sure Camera is set to Allowed, then click Done.

   On our MacBook Neo, Camera is listed with AirDrop, Apple Advertising, CarPlay, Dictation, SharePlay and Tracking. Apple also advises checking that the app is not blocked by an app limit.

   Done
   
3. 3

   Allow the app to use the camera

   Open System Settings, Privacy & Security and click Camera. Apple says to switch on the app that needs the camera; you might then be asked to quit the app and open it again.

   On our MacBook Neo the Camera row showed 0.

   Done
   
4. 4

   Restart the Mac

   Open the Apple menu and choose Restart…. Apple says to restart a Mac with Apple silicon.

   On an Intel Mac, Apple says to reset the SMC, the controller that manages power.

   On our MacBook Neo, Restart… sits between Sleep and Shut Down… in the Apple menu.

   Done
   
5. 5

   Try a different app

   Open Photo Booth or FaceTime. If the camera works there, check the first app's own camera setting, which may have the wrong camera selected.

   On our MacBook Neo, Photo Booth's Camera menu had MacBook Neo Camera ticked, with Automatic Camera Selection and Enable Screen Flash also ticked.

   Done
   
6. 6

   Watch the light next to the camera

   A steady green light means the camera is on. If the light flashes green, Apple says your Mac might need service, so contact Apple Support.

   On our MacBook Neo a green camera icon also appeared in the menu bar while Photo Booth was using the camera.

   Done
   

If you do not see this option

• The Camera row shows 0 On our MacBook Neo the Camera row in Privacy & Security showed 0. Open the app that needs the camera and try its camera, then check Privacy & Security > Camera again.
• No App Restrictions in Screen Time In macOS 27, Camera sits under Content & Privacy Restrictions, with an Allowed menu next to it.
• Photo Booth uses another camera Open Photo Booth's Camera menu and choose MacBook Neo Camera. If Automatic Camera Selection is ticked, the Mac may switch to another camera on its own.

If this does not work

• An update is offered Install it first. Apple lists updating macOS as the first fix.
• The camera light flashes green Apple says your Mac might need service. Contact Apple Support.
• The fault continues on an Intel Mac Apple says to reset the SMC on an Intel Mac.
• FaceTime will not connect Apple has a separate article for when FaceTime isn't working on your Mac. Check that next.

Good to know

Only one app at a time shows the camera picture reliably. Quit other video apps before a call.

Do not close a MacBook with a camera cover fitted. Apple warns that this can damage the display, because the gap between screen and keyboard is very small.

An iPhone makes a better webcam than the built-in camera: how to use an iPhone as a webcam for a Mac.

macOS 27 compared with macOS 26: We rewrote steps 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 to match the macOS 27 screens. The macOS 26 page keeps the steps and screenshots as they were.

Version history: the macOS 26 version of this guide, with its own screenshots.

About this guide

Device

Mac

Shown on

macOS 27.0.1 (MacBook Neo)

App

System Settings

Real screenshots

6 of 6 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

3 official, linked below

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