Camera test
Check your webcam is working before a call.
Click Start to see your webcam preview here.
About this tool
Before a video call, it's worth five seconds to confirm your webcam actually works — and that the lens isn't pointed at your ceiling. This tool asks your browser for camera access, previews the live stream, and reports the resolution and frame rate it's using. Nothing is recorded and nothing is uploaded; the stream closes the moment you click Stop or navigate away. Permission errors are shown in plain language rather than cryptic browser codes.
How to use this tool
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Click Start
The browser prompts for camera permission. Click Allow. If you've previously denied access for this site, you'll need to grant it again via the padlock icon in the address bar before the prompt reappears.
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Your preview appears in-page
Confirm the picture is right-side-up, lit reasonably, and showing the camera you expected. If you have two cameras and the wrong one is on, change the OS default and reload.
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Click Stop when done
The page releases the camera. The hardware indicator light (where present) and the OS indicator both turn off. If the light stays on, close the tab — that always releases the device.
Frequently asked questions
Is the video being recorded?
No. Your webcam stream stays on your device and is used only for the live preview. It's released the instant you click Stop or leave the page. No frames are uploaded or stored.
Why is my resolution so low?
The browser picks the best resolution the camera offers that matches the requested settings — but some webcams cap at 720p or 480p, and privacy extensions can limit it further. The resolution shown is what the camera actually delivered.
The preview is black — what's happening?
Usually the camera's physical shutter is closed, the lens is covered, or another app (Zoom, Teams, OBS) is holding the camera exclusively. Close other apps and try again.
Is anything recorded?
No. Frames are streamed from the camera into a <video> element on the page and discarded. Nothing is uploaded, nothing is captured to disk. Click Stop and the stream ends.
Why does my external webcam not appear in the list?
Browsers can only see cameras the OS already recognises. If your USB webcam doesn't show up in your OS camera settings (Windows: Camera app; macOS: Photo Booth), it won't show in the browser. Driver issue, USB cable, or unsupported device.
Troubleshooting
- Light is on but no preview shows
The camera is being acquired but no frames are reaching the page. Usually a driver issue — another app holds the device, or the driver needs an update. Quit other camera-using apps, then reload. If still broken, restart the device.
- Permission stuck on 'denied'
Click the padlock icon in the address bar, find Camera, change it to 'Allow' or 'Ask'. Most browsers won't re-prompt automatically once you've denied — you have to explicitly re-grant.
- Two cameras — wrong one shown
The browser picks the OS default camera. Change the default in your OS sound/camera settings, then refresh. Chrome on desktop also exposes a device selector via the padlock → Site settings → Camera once permission is granted.