How to test a webcam
Click Start webcam test and allow camera access. A live picture means the webcam, its cable and its driver all work. The test reads the resolution the camera is actually sending and measures the real frame rate, which is often lower than the box says in a dim room. If your computer has more than one camera, such as a built-in webcam and a USB webcam, pick each one from the list to test it.
What to check in the picture
- Sharpness: hold a page of text about 2 feet away. Blurry text at every distance points to a smudged lens or a failing camera.
- Frame rate: 30 fps is normal for video calls. Below 15 fps looks choppy, usually because of low light or a busy processor.
- Colors and spots: a pink, purple or green tint, dark spots or lines in the same place on every frame mean a damaged sensor or cable.
- Brightness: the reading should rise when you turn toward a window or lamp. A black picture with a brightness near 0 means the lens is covered or the camera is switched off.
Webcam black or not detected?
- Check for a privacy shutter or camera key. Many HP, Lenovo and Dell laptops have a sliding cover over the lens, or a key with a crossed-out camera icon that turns the webcam off.
- Close other apps that might be using the camera, such as Zoom, Teams or OBS, then click Start again.
- Allow camera access. Windows: Settings › Privacy & security › Camera, and turn on camera access for apps and desktop apps. Mac: System Settings › Privacy & Security › Camera, and allow your browser. Also click the lock or camera icon in the address bar and allow it for this site.
- Update or reinstall the driver. Windows: open Device Manager › Cameras (or Imaging devices), right-click the webcam and choose Uninstall device, then restart.
- If no camera appears in Device Manager or in System Information after a restart, the webcam or its cable in the screen hinge has likely failed.
Built-in webcam broken or blurry?
A 1080p USB webcam with a built-in microphone is sharper than most laptop cameras and plugs straight in.
View USB webcams on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, MxMob earns from qualifying purchases.
Testing a phone camera instead? Use the phone camera test. Checking a whole laptop? Run the laptop diagnostic.
Frequently asked questions
How do I test my webcam online?
Click Start webcam test and allow camera access. A live picture means the webcam works. The page shows the real resolution and frame rate, and you can switch between cameras and take a test photo. Nothing is recorded or uploaded.
Why is my laptop webcam black?
Check for a sliding privacy shutter over the lens or a camera on/off key on the keyboard, close other apps using the camera, and make sure camera access is allowed in Windows or macOS privacy settings and for this site in the browser.
Why does my webcam show a lower resolution than advertised?
Browsers ask for 1080p, but many built-in laptop webcams are only 720p, and some USB webcams only send full resolution at lower frame rates or over USB 3. The reading on this page is what the camera actually sends.
Why is my webcam frame rate low?
Webcams lower their frame rate in dim light to take in more light. Face a window or lamp and the frame rate should rise toward 30 fps. A busy processor or a USB hub can also lower it.