Camera works in one app but not another

Your camera works in one app, but another shows a black screen, an error, or no camera at all. That usually points to a permission, the wrong camera being selected, or a conflict between apps, not a broken webcam.

Test the camera in your browser first, then compare the result with the app that is failing. The Camera Test shows a live preview, resolution, and frame rate, so you can check whether the browser can access a camera.

Test the camera outside the app

Open the Camera Test. When your browser asks to use the camera, allow access.
Look for a live preview. If you have more than one camera connected, note which one appears, then compare it with the camera selected in the app that is failing.
Open the app with the problem and check its video or camera settings. Select the camera you want, if the app offers a camera list.
Try the camera in the app again. If it still fails, work through the fixes below, then repeat the test.

The browser test checks access from the browser. It does not guarantee that another app has permission or is using the same camera. If the problem is specifically with Zoom or Teams, see Laptop camera not working in Zoom or Teams.

What the result means

The browser shows a clear live preview

The camera can send video to the browser. That makes a completely disconnected or failed camera less likely. Check whether the problem app has permission and whether it is set to the same camera. A browser test cannot confirm that the other app is configured correctly.

The preview works, but the app shows a black screen

The camera hardware is probably working, but the app may be blocked from using it, may have selected another camera, or may not have refreshed its camera list. Close and reopen the app after changing permissions or connecting a camera.

The browser cannot show a preview

This does not prove the camera is broken. The browser may be blocked by a site permission or your computer's privacy settings. Another app may also be using a camera or its driver in a way that prevents sharing. Check the fixes below before assuming there is a hardware fault.

The wrong camera appears

Your device may have a built-in camera and an external webcam, or a virtual camera installed by another program. Choose the intended camera in the app's video settings. If the app does not list it, disconnect and reconnect the camera, then reopen the app.

How to fix it

Check the camera and the app's selection. Open any physical privacy shutter and check that a webcam's cable is firmly connected. In the app's video settings, choose the camera you want rather than relying on its default selection.
Allow camera access in the browser. If the browser test has no preview, click the site controls icon beside the address bar and set Camera to Allow. Reload the page and grant permission if asked again. A permission for one website does not automatically apply to another.
Allow camera access in your operating system. On Windows 11, open Settings › Privacy & security › Camera. Turn on Camera access and Let apps access your camera. If the app is a desktop program, also turn on Let desktop apps access your camera. On macOS, open System Settings › Privacy & Security › Camera and enable access for the app or browser. Quit and reopen it after changing this setting.
Check permission on your phone. On iPhone, open Settings › Privacy & Security › Camera and enable the app. On Android, open Settings › Apps › [app name] › Permissions › Camera and allow access. Menu names can vary by Android manufacturer. If the app is not listed, open it and try to start its camera feature so it can request permission.
Close other apps that use video. Quit video calls, recording software, and camera utilities, then try again. Some camera drivers or older webcams do not share reliably between apps. Closing another app can release the camera; on a computer, check the taskbar or menu bar in case it is still running there.
Reconnect the camera and restart the app. Unplug an external webcam, connect it to another USB port, and reopen the app. If the built-in camera still fails, restart the computer or phone to clear a stuck camera service.
Update the app or camera software. Install available updates for the app and your operating system. On Windows, check Settings › Windows Update for updates, including optional driver updates if offered. If the camera fails in several apps after that, check the computer maker's support instructions for its camera driver.

When it's the camera hardware

Test the camera in more than one app after checking permissions, and, if possible, connect an external webcam to the same computer. If the built-in camera fails everywhere but an external one works, the built-in camera, its cable, or its driver may be the problem. If an external camera also fails on another computer, its cable or camera may be damaged. Contact the device maker if it is under warranty, or ask a repair shop to inspect a built-in camera before replacing parts.

Why one app can have access and another cannot

Camera access has more than one permission layer. Your operating system can allow or block camera use for an app, while a browser can separately ask whether a particular website may use it. The app also has its own camera setting, which determines which available camera it tries to use. Allowing access in one place does not automatically change the other settings.

The Camera Test runs in your browser. The preview is there to check camera access, not to record or upload a video.