MacBook Camera Not Working? Here’s How I Fixed Mine

I never realized how much I relied on my MacBook’s camera until one random Friday morning when it just refused to work.

Whether it was FaceTime calls, Zoom meetings, or even basic video recording for my YouTube channel, everything came to a halt.

The camera wouldn’t turn on, no green light, and some apps even gave me an error message stating I didn’t have a camera at all.

I’ve documented every step I took to fix it. Some solutions were surprisingly simple, while others required a bit of digging.

Below is a detailed guide based on what actually worked for me. By the end of this, you should have your camera back up and running, just like I did.

Common Reasons Why the MacBook Camera Might Stop Working

• Lack of internet connection
• Buggy macOS update
• App permissions not set correctly
• Conflicting software (yes, Chrome extensions can do it!)
• Terminal processes like VDCAssistant stuck in the background
• Antivirus apps over-blocking access
• Physical damage or hardware failure

MacBook Camera Not Working Fixes That Worked for Me

Force Quit Conflicting Apps

If your MacBook camera isn't working, a stuck app might be the culprit. Force closing these apps will normally fix the issue and your webcam should start working.

Start by right-clicking on all open video-related apps in the Dock and selecting Quit.

Then open Activity Monitor (Applications → Utilities), find processes like Zoom, FaceTime, and anything labeled camera, and hit the Force Quit (X) button.

Restart Your Mac

I know it sounds simple, but restarting your Mac can often reset camera access and clear out hidden background processes.

To go a step further, restart in Safe Mode by holding the Shift key during reboot until the login screen appears.

Safe Mode temporarily disables third-party startup items, which can help you spot any conflicts affecting the camera. It's a quick check that’s worth doing.

Kill Camera Processes via Terminal

If a restart didn’t fix it, some hidden background processes might still be holding your camera.

Here’s what worked for me:

sudo killall VDCAssistant;sudo killall AppleCameraAssistant

After hitting Enter and typing my Mac password, the camera started working again in some apps. It's a quick command that can free up your camera when nothing else does. Give it a go and see if it solves your problem.

Update macOS

An outdated macOS can sometimes be the root of camera issues.

Go to System Settings → General → Software Update and check if you’re behind on updates. After installing the latest version, the camera should start working. Always worth checking.

Check Screen Time Restrictions

This one surprised me; Screen Time settings can actually block camera access, especially on child or shared accounts.

To check:

• Go to System Settings → Screen Time
• Under Content & Privacy → App Restrictions, make sure Camera is allowed
• Also check App Limits to make sure the apps you need aren’t restricted

Grant Camera Permissions to Apps

Starting with macOS Mojave, apps need your permission to access the camera.

Open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Camera and make sure apps like Zoom, Skype, and FaceTime are toggled ON.

After that, restart the apps to apply the changes.

Make Sure the Right Camera Is Selected

It may sound silly, but some apps default to an external webcam even if it’s no longer connected.

In Zoom (or similar apps), open Preferences → Video and manually select FaceTime HD Camera.

This will instantly fix the issue, so it’s definitely worth double-checking.

Test Camera Using Another App

To see if the issue is with the app or the camera itself, test it using different apps like FaceTime, Photo Booth, Zoom, and QuickTime Player.

In one case, Zoom may not show anything, but QuickTime will have a perfect live feed. That will confirm the camera is fine and the app is acting up.

Check Antivirus Settings

If you're using third-party antivirus software like Norton or McAfee, it might be blocking camera access without you realizing it.

Open the antivirus settings and check that:

• No privacy settings are restricting camera use
• Webcam protection is either turned off or set to allow the specific app you need

It’s an easy-to-miss fix, especially if your antivirus is running quietly in the background.

Create a New User Profile

If nothing else works, try setting up a new admin user on your Mac.

Go to System Settings → Users & Groups, click the Add (+) button, and create a new Administrator account.

When you log into the new profile and test the camera, it should work fine. Sometimes the issue could be with underlying user settings, not the hardware.

Final Check: Rule Out Hardware Issues

If nothing else fixes it, you might be looking at a hardware problem. Here’s how you can check:

• Camera Light Test: Open FaceTime, if the green camera light doesn’t turn on, it could mean the camera’s disconnected internally.
• Use System Report: Go to Apple Menu → About This Mac → System Report → Hardware → Camera. If FaceTime HD Camera isn’t listed, that will confirm the Mac is facing a hardware issue.

What If It’s a Hardware Issue?

Unfortunately, if your Mac doesn’t detect the camera and the green light never turns on even after resets, then it’s time to visit an Apple Store or an authorized service provider.

If you’re out of warranty, a third-party Apple-certified repair shop might be more affordable.

Summary

Going through all these steps might feel like a chore, but it can save you a trip to the Apple Store. The Terminal fix and resetting app permissions were what eventually brought my MacBook camera back to life.

Always start with the basics. Most camera problems are software-related, not hardware failures. But if your Mac still can’t detect the camera, it might be time for a professional check.